For customers with Windows-centric networks, NetIQ's systems and applications monitor upgrade introduced today means they should be able to better track the performance of key network applications.

AppManager 4.0 can now be used to monitor a handful of additional applications, including Microsoft's .Net servers, such as Exchange Server 2000, Commerce Server 2000 and Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000. NetIQ has also added support for managing security products, such as those from Check Point Software and TrendMicro, and includes a module for tracking availability and performance of e-commerce programs.

Also new is a Web-based console for viewing management reports, plus integration with other management tools from Micromuse, Remedy and Pegasus. Given that NetIQ's offering is so Windows-centric, the integration with other management systems is key for users of mixed operating systems.

"While there are many companies that run a lot of Windows, many also depend heavily on Unix systems and would want a composite view of their infrastructure," says Audrey Rasmussen, an analyst with Enterprise Management Associates. "However, NetIQ's alignment with Microsoft is a strength for now. NetIQ is partnering with a growing number of vendors, which is great for customers."

Peter Lundsgaarde, systems engineer at Maryville Technologies, an IT firm that offers systems design, integration and project management, says his company chose AppManager because it offers a "diverse and scalable" way to monitor Windows environments. He says the improvements NetIQ has made address his company's need for more data collection and reporting features. Maryville, which uses AppManager to monitor networks with 50 to 400 Windows NT/2000 servers, would still like to see more "out-of-the-box monitoring definitions," Lundsgaarde says.

AppManager includes a repository that typically is installed on a dedicated SQL Server or Win 2000 machine and agents that run on servers being monitored. The agents run scripts that communicate management information back to the repository. Users can view the information from a Windows Explorer-like view, a Web-based console or a snap-in console. Users can automate the distribution of knowledge scripts, which offer predefined policies, by dragging and dropping them onto servers or groups of servers on the viewing console. AppManager can be configured to send alerts when thresholds are exceeded or to take corrective action.

NetIQ is going up against vendors such as Bindview, Fastlane Aelita, and Computer Associates. AppManager competes directly with BMC Systems' Patrol management product.

AppManager pricing is per monitored server and application. Base price per server is $600. This provides NT and Win 2000 monitoring. Additional modules range in price from $150 for hardware monitoring to $1,200 each for Exchange, SQL and other applications. Consoles cost $2,500 each.

Separately, NetIQ recently announced two products for helping companies migrate to Win 2000 and Exchange 2000. Exchange Migrator transfers Exchange 5.5 mailboxes, distribution lists, public folders and calendar objects. Migration Assessor keeps an eye on the computing environment in migrations to Win 2000, Active Directory and Exchange 2000.

NetIQ: www.netiq.com

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