Talk:Absolute Software Corporation

Need to update

This article has a banner about promotional coverage that should be addressed. It's also out of date regarding current status of company. I work for Absolute, and I understand this is not a place for promotional content, but I would like to make sure the article is accurate and up to date. I will be posting links to news coverage that can help with that.--Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 18:47, 5 November 2021 (UTC)

Here are a few sources to start with:

• Columbus, Louis (June 12, 2021). "Endpoint security is a double-edge sword: protected systems can still be breached". VentureBeat.
• Columbus, Louis (September 30, 2021). "Educational targets hit by rising cyberattacks in 2021". VentureBeat.
• Columbus, Louis (October 4, 2020). "Absolute's CEO Christy Wyatt On The Future Of Endpoint Security". Forbes.
• Acquisition of NetMotion:

"Absolute acquires NetMotion to accelerate endpoint resilience for customers". HelpNetSecurity. May 12, 2021.

Since my previous message, I have considered how to best address the "written like an advertisement" problem flagged on the "Partnerships" section, as well as how to shift the "History" section to a more informative/readable narrative, rather than a list of disconnected facts. The "Partnerships" section need not remain as a standalone section, though partnerships have been a crucial component of how Absolute has built its business model; the fact that all the major OEM hardware manufacturers have built our software into BIOS and firmware has been an integral part of our business.

I propose to rewrite the "History" section to put some of the key partnerships into the narrative, demonstrating their significance through context; and then removing the "Partnerships" section entirely.

Separately, I am working on a proposed replacement for the "Products" section that will present that information in a more accurate, organized, and up-to-date way. -Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 20:04, 27 May 2022 (UTC)

Proposed new product section

@Arxion: Thank you for going through the article. I see you added a "citations" banner, and I wanted to check in as I continue to propose changes. As mentioned above, I have been trying to remove marketing language, update the article, and add strong, independent references to the article, but I agree that we're not all the way there yet. My next goal is to add a "Products" section; below is a draft, I would appreciate if you or another Wikipedia editor could review it. Once that is in place, the final major area I wanted to address is the "Partnerships" section, which is the thinnest on sourcing, and also very out of date and inaccurate as to the role partnerships have played for the company in recent years. I will bring proposed changes to that sections up here shortly. -Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 18:14, 9 September 2022 (UTC)

Hello, thank you for mentioning me and asking for my feedback. I am sorry but personally, I think that you should stay far away from editing Absolute Software Corporation as you have an extreme conflict of interest, which you confirm by mentioning that you are employed by the company on your user page. The edit you proposed below is still extremely promotional, and I will not give support to it, and I apologize if this sounds rude, but I believe that you are editing Wikipedia for the wrong reasons. Furthermore, given the fact that you state you are employed by the subject of the article, my guess is that you are being paid to edit it. Paid editing does not belong on Wikipedia, and not disclosing it is a violation of the Terms of Use. However, feel free to contact another more experienced editor than me, or an Administrator if you would like. Arxion (talk) 20:17, 9 September 2022 (UTC)

Proposed "Products" section

== Products == The Absolute software platform consists several components organized into three product lines: Secure Endpoint, Secure Access, and Application Persistence-as-a-Service. The Secure Endpoint line enables I.T. personnel to monitor and address laptop computers' problems and enables the laptops and their and mission-critical applications to self-heal. Its components include Absolute Visibility, Absolute Control, and Absolute Resilience. The company added Absolute Ransomware Response in April 2022, to provide capabilities and services to assess an organization's ransomware preparedness and cyber hygiene across endpoints; ensure mission-critical security applications such as anti-malware and device management tools remain healthy and capable of self-healing; and expedite the quarantine and recovery of endpoints if a ransomware attack occurs. The Secure Access line provides reliable network connectivity for users to gain secure access to critical resources in the public cloud, private data centers, or on-premises. These products allow users to transition from traditional secure remote access technologies to a zero trust approach, without affecting productivity or admin controls. The line includes Absolute VPN , Absolute ZTNA, and Absolute Insights for Network. In November 2021, Absolute launched the Application Persistence-as-a-Service (APaaS) product line. These products enable Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) embed Absolute's self-healing application capabilities into their security and business applications. A core component of all three lines is Absolute Persistence, a patented technology that allows for always-on connection to the endpoint. Furthermore, the products' self-healing client technology for Windows is capable of automatically repairing or reinstalling itself if it is tampered with, accidentally removed, or otherwise stops working. References

Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 18:14, 9 September 2022 (UTC)

@Arxion: Thank you for the quick reply. I've been trying from the beginning to bring the article into closer compliance with Wikipedia's own quality standards, and to eliminate unsourced or self-sourced material. To address the problems that were identified with the article by Wikipedia editors. If there are problems with the text I've proposed, I certainly don't want special treatment; that's why I've seeking feedback. The section I've proposed here is intended to replace a section that, as it stands, only contains two footnotes, one of which is a blog with unknown editorial standards; by contrast, my proposed replacement is still fairly short, but contains 12 footnotes, which I believe generally compare favorably to Wikipedia's standards for sourcing. So while what I proposed is probably not perfect, I hope it can be considered as being offered in good faith, and with intentions that align with Wikipedia's standards.

I should note, the banner you just added introduces a significant factual error into the article. It states that paid editing may be undisclosed. But as you noted yourself above, I disclosed my employer from the beginning, both on my user page and also more than once here on the article's talk page. I do not wish to make any unilateral changes to the article, but prior to my efforts beginning in November 2021, there was a good deal of material that was clearly poor quality and poorly sourced. I have been trying to make the article more accurate, better sourced, in part by removing unsourced material, for nearly a year, and to solicit independent feedback as I work. It is not accurate to say that my editing is undisclosed. I would appreciate if you could remove that banner. -Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 21:49, 9 September 2022 (UTC)

Hi, I have given you my opinions and advice. I suggest you contact a Wikipedia Administrator by posting on the Administrators’ Noticeboard if you would like advice from a more experienced Wikipedian.

Arxion (talk) 07:43, 10 September 2022 (UTC)

Proposed new Products section

To make the request above a little more clear, I am proposing to replace the existing section (highlighted in pink) with the text highlighted in yellow. The old section focuses narrowly on one area of the product line, and it is supported by only two sources. The new section puts the one area of the product line already discussed in a wider context, and describes other areas, without going into great detail; and it contains 12 footnotes, mostly to independent sources. Note, this article has banners indicating that more independent sources are needed; I am hoping this change can, among other things, address that concern. As I've mentioned previously, I do work for Absolute, so while I have done my best to propose something that is straightforward, unbiased, and in line with Wikipedia's standards, I am seeking review by independent Wikipedia editors. -Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 18:21, 24 October 2022 (UTC)

== Products and services ==

Absolute's flagship product is the Absolute Platform, formerly known as Data and Device Security (DDS). Absolute relies on patented Persistence technology, which is embedded into the firmware of most computers, tablets, and smartphones at the factory.

The Persistence module is activated once the Absolute agent is installed. If the software client is removed from a device through flashing the firmware, replacing the hard drive, reimaging the device, or resetting the device back to factory settings, Persistence technology will trigger an automatic reinstallation of the software client. Persistence technology is embedded in more than half a billion devices.}} }}

References

New section:

== Products ==

The Absolute software platform consists several components organized into three product lines: Secure Endpoint, Secure Access, and Application Persistence-as-a-Service.

The Secure Endpoint line enables I.T. personnel to monitor and address laptop computers' problems and enables the laptops and their and mission-critical applications to self-heal. Its components include Absolute Visibility, Absolute Control, and Absolute Resilience. The company added Absolute Ransomware Response in April 2022, to provide capabilities and services to assess an organization's ransomware preparedness and cyber hygiene across endpoints; ensure mission-critical security applications such as anti-malware and device management tools remain healthy and capable of self-healing; and expedite the quarantine and recovery of endpoints if a ransomware attack occurs.

The Secure Access line provides reliable network connectivity for users to gain secure access to critical resources in the public cloud, private data centers, or on-premises. These products allow users to transition from traditional secure remote access technologies to a zero trust approach, without affecting productivity or admin controls. The line includes Absolute VPN , Absolute ZTNA, and Absolute Insights for Network.

In November 2021, Absolute launched the Application Persistence-as-a-Service (APaaS) product line. These products enable Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) embed Absolute's self-healing application capabilities into their security and business applications.

A core component of all three lines is Absolute Persistence, a patented technology that allows for always-on connection to the endpoint. Furthermore, the products' self-healing client technology for Windows is capable of automatically repairing or reinstalling itself if it is tampered with, accidentally removed, or otherwise stops working.

References

Karenarlenereynolds (talk) 18:21, 24 October 2022 (UTC)

 Partly done: Hi, I've implemented some of your content. It was substantially edited not to introduce peacock or generally ad-like language. PK650 (talk) 07:14, 25 November 2022 (UTC)