Lenovo said it has begun offering a new version of LANDesk Management Suite that integrates access to its proprietary ThinkVantage Technologies offering.

The Raleigh, N.C.-based PC maker said the new suite, version 8.7, will provide better fleet management of ThinkPad notebooks and ThinkCentre desktops. The company is offering the software ahead of the fourth-quarter PC refresh cycle and to make customers' 2007 IT budgets.

Lenovo has been locked in a battle with rivals such as Hewlett-Packard and Dell for PC market share. Though Lenovo has spent much of its energy aligning with small and midsize businesses, the new LANDesk suite is aimed at midsize-to-large enterprises. Lenovo has previously offered a version of LANDesk for enterprises, but this is the first time the suite is fully integrated with all LANDesk functions and applications, a company spokeswoman said.

LANDesk Management Suite 8.7 will give IT managers access to the PC tools provided in the ThinkVantage suite, including Client Security Software, Active Protection System, ThinkVantage System Update, Productivity Center and Absolute Software's Computrace Integration, according to Lenovo.

Remote management of desktops has become a competitive market. This week, Dell said its DellConnect service, which links the company's break-fix specialists remotely to user PCs, has been well-received since its rollout earlier this year.

Lenovo said it's making LANDesk Management Suite 8.7 available direct and through its VAR channel. The suite will be priced at $89 per seat for a single license, with a $20 annual service and maintenance fee. Enterprise licensing will vary.