Systems Management: IBM Lengthens Lead in PC Systems Management Delivering Greater Integration With Other Management Suites

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, August 10, 1998

IBM Wednesday announced a more powerful suite of tools and utilities to help owners of its Netfinity servers manage PC systems attached to their network and bring tighter integration with Tivoli Enterprise software. Available today, Netfinity Manager 5.2 is a key component of IBM's Universal Management(a) initiative, a comprehensive set of systems management technologies designed to help customers reduce their total cost of PC ownership.

IBM's Universal Management initiative delivers standards-based, non-proprietary support for IBM and non-IBM desktop, server and mobile systems that enable systems administrators to collect comprehensive system data, monitor, and manage these systems using whatever management environment the customer may choose. Netfinity Manager integrates with Tivoli Enterprise, Microsoft SMS, and Intel LANDesk; and supports exporting system data to popular database applications including: Oracle, Lotus Domino, Microsoft SQL, and DB/2(a) Universal Database 5.0. Netfinity Manager also supports multiple operating systems and protocols, now adding support for Citrix WinFrame and NCD WinCenter Pro network operating systems.

According to Gartner Group, systems management can reduce desktop total cost of ownership (TCO) -- defined as the total cost of acquiring, deploying, operating and supporting a PC throughout its life cycle as much as 10%. For servers and networks, systems management can reduce TCO by up to 20 percent.(1) Netfinity Manager streamlines the administration of IT assets within the enterprise. Communicating client data natively to a variety of management systems protects customers' investments in those manageability tools, while simplifying overall network administration. Result: A tool that can help customers significantly lower total cost of ownership.

For large enterprise installations, Netfinity Manager 5.2 has achieved a higher level of integration with Tivoli Enterprise software. Together, Netfinity and Tivoli have delivered greater integration and compatibility between the two platforms, resulting in improved performance and manageability for the customer. At the enterprise level, a supplemental Netfinity Manager Plus for Tivoli Enterprise module will allow system administrators to launch Netfinity Manager from the Tivoli console and manage the Netfinity Manager applications providing the same level of manageability and control available at a Netfinity Manager console. Additionally, all Netfinity Manager events and alerts can be forwarded to and automated responses generated by the Tivoli console. Netfinity Manager Plus for Tivoli Enterprise will be available in the third quarter.

"Netfinity Plus for Tivoli Enterprise brings superior PC hardware manageability that complements and seamlessly integrates with Tivoli Enterprise software," said Mike O'Rourke, vice president of Tivoli's Enterprise Business Solutions Unit. "Tivoli provides a single view of the environment from a central source, regardless of the hardware or software systems in use. Through Tivoli's single action management, customers have more time to manage their business instead of their technology." Other key features available with Netfinity Manger 5.2 include: * Update Connector Manager -- lets systems administrators conveniently and regularly compare, using the Internet, the versions of device drivers, BIOS and other system software on the systems they manage against the latest available. They can then download and schedule appropriate system software updates during times when the business will be least affected. * Alert-on-LAN -- notifies system administrators of changes in IBM client system configuration, as well as certain operating system or hardware failures. Alert-on-LAN can detect the theft or unauthorized removal of supported IBM systems and components, such as memory or microprocessors, even if the client system is powered-off. * Asset Identification -- enables system administrators to create a profile of key asset information, such as lease information, stored on each system. * Remote Management -- administration of IT assets remotely through dial-up connections or over the Web, including: * asset inventory and management * proactive problem detection and resolution * alert management with powerful notification and automated alert actions * Help Desk support * capacity and cluster management * system software management and updating ensuring optimal performance

Platform, Price and Availability Developed for Netfinity servers, Netfinity Manager is capable of managing both IBM and non-IBM PC-based servers, desktop and mobile systems. Netfinity Manager is shipped at no additional charge with all IBM Netfinity servers. The agent code, Client Services for Netfinity Manager, is shipped at no additional charge with IBM Netfinity servers, IntelliStation workstations, IBM PCs and select ThinkPad computers. Customers with non-IBM systems may purchase Netfinity Manager 5.2 software through IBM authorized resellers for an estimated price of $799, and the Client Services for Netfinity Manager for an estimated price of $49. Upgrades are also available.