Apparent Networks Ships AppCritical Version 4 and New AppCritical Report Server Module.

New version includes major performance gains and enhanced built-in reporting;

New Report Server module offers powerful and customizable reporting capabilities for large enterprises and service providers

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. -- Apparent Networks, a leading provider of network fault and performance management solutions, today announced the availability of Version 4 of AppCritical, its enterprise platform for network performance management. The company also announced the AppCritical Report Server, a new add-on module for advanced reporting that works in conjunction with AppCritical Version 4.

AppCritical Version 4's main new features include significant upgrades to its built-in analysis and reporting capabilities to meet the need for network performance information in large enterprises and service provider companies.

The new Report Server module enables IT teams to show their alignment with and contribution to their organization's strategic business initiatives. Report Server leverages AppCritical's unique network path performance information to create reports that communicate IT's value - powerfully and persuasively - to any audience, including executive, business and technical staff.

"Enterprises and service providers alike are looking to virtualization and cloud computing to improve their IT effectiveness without increasing their costs. But many IT leaders we speak with say that network management challenges are slowing down their cloud and virtualization initiatives," said Jim Melvin, President and CMO of Apparent Networks. "AppCritical 4 with Report Server clears away those roadblocks. It shows end-to-end network path performance- including complete visibility into virtualized environments and cloud-based resources. Customers get the detailed performance information they need to accelerate their cloud and virtualization initiatives in manageable and predictable ways."

"The increasing adoption of cloud computing and distributed applications is driving significant increases in customer demand for solutions that help their IT teams manage the complex networks that are required to run these applications," said Olga Yashkova, Industry Analyst with Frost & Sullivan's Test & Measurement practice. "Furthermore, most of these applications are latency intolerant, so service quality management will be critical to their success with end users. Solutions like AppCritical are well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for more complete and effective performance management."

AppCritical Version 4

In response to feedback from larger customers, including major corporations, service providers and government agencies, Apparent Networks enhanced the reporting capabilities that are included in AppCritical. Reporting features that were added or upgraded include accelerated on-demand report generation, broader and easier dashboard access, additional customization options with dashboard reports, and easier ways to brand performance reports with customer logos, titles and other branding elements. The other major enhancement in Version 4 is an up 300% acceleration of the speed with which AppCritical's core system can locate and analyze network faults and performance problems. This accelerated processing enables IT teams to fix more issues before their end users even notice a problem.

AppCritical Report Server

The AppCritical Report Server builds on and extends AppCritical's base-level reporting functionality. This feature enables network operations teams to document how IT service delivery supports business performance. Report Server uses intuitive graphics and plain language to clearly show actual network performance against user-defined service quality levels. Report Server also provides for: automated report generation, recipient list creation and report distribution. It also offers flexibility with its support of multiple distribution formats, including PDF, HTML, DOC, XLS, CSV and Flash.

Report Server also offers features that make is easy for organizations to customize network performance reports to their specific needs. These features include: browser-based report and dashboard customization for easy access, drag-and-drop editing, additional branding options, and simplified report generation, which makes it easy for even non-technical staff to generate reports. Other important features of the Report Server include its flexible architecture to allow for high user load without impacting real time analysis, granular access control, and enterprise-grade scalability and security.

About Apparent Networks

Apparent Networks is the only IT performance management provider that delivers the end-to-end service insight required for today's cloud applications. By experiencing network performance without affecting it, the company's patented path solutions assess network readiness, monitor service levels, and diagnose problems otherwise hidden from sight. Leading companies rely on Apparent Networks to assure application delivery and expand their service portfolios with confidence. For more information, visit www.apparentnetworks.com.