Apple Computer today revealed a new version of Apple Remote Desktop, the company's software for managing networked Mac OS X systems.

Apple Remote Desktop 3 is designed to work with Intel-based Macs and has more than 50 new features the company said would improve software distribution, asset management and remote assistance.

"It's an upgrade of a very popular utility," said Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg. "Most importantly, it shows that there's a lot going on at Apple besides iPods."

Improvements to the third-generation desktop management software include faster "Spotlight" searches across multiple OS X Tiger systems, over 30 "Automator" actions for easily automating repetitive system administration tasks; and "AutoInstall," for installing software automatically on mobile systems when they return online.

"With Apple Remote Desktop 3, we've delivered powerful innovations that make it even easier and more affordable to manage Macs," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in a press release.

Apple Remote Desktop 3 is available immediately through The Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a retail price of $299 for managing up to 10 systems and $499 for managing an unlimited number of systems.