Configuresoft Accelerates and Simplifies Microsoft Systems Management Server Implementation and Management.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Microsoft TechED 2004

Booth 1733

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2004

New Enterprise Configuration Manager Module Ensures SMS 

is Properly Installed and Configured

to Increase Software Distribution Success Rates

Configuresoft, the industry leader in configuration management, today announced Enterprise Configuration Manager (ECM) for Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) which provides centralized assessment, verification and control of system configurations for large SMS infrastructures. To reduce the complexity of keeping SMS properly configured on management servers and managed nodes, and ensure consistent delivery of software packages, ECM for SMS monitors the status and settings of every instance of SMS in the network. Configuresoft will demonstrate ECM for SMS this week at Microsoft TechEd booth 1733.

"Keeping SMS properly configured and operational at all times is critical especially for companies relying on it to centrally manage software distribution, patch deployment, and IT assets," said Rich Ptak, Principal, Ptak, Noel & Associates. "With its ability to centrally monitor the status and configurations of all SMS nodes in a network, ECM for SMS is a huge time saver that also boosts the reliability and success rates of SMS software distribution jobs."

Enterprise View of SMS Configurations

To simplify the management of SMS in large environments, ECM for SMS collects and maintains a database of all current SMS client and SMS Management Server configuration data. This centralized datastore enables administrators to rapidly ensure that all SMS clients are installed and configured properly prior to initiating a software distribution job, and maximize the success rate of software package delivery. To verify that the SMS hierarchy is replicated as desired at each site and ensure proper access controls are in place, ECM for SMS provides a granular and enterprise view into SMS internal data. These include site settings, server roles, collections, packages, programs, advertisements, class, instance security, and more.

Management and Compliance

For rapid assessment of SMS deployments and to enforce configuration policies, ECM for SMS provides compliance templates that verify the SMS client service is running and configured according to predefined standards. These templates provide an exception list of machines and the respective configurations that are out of compliance with the expected results. ECM for SMS can even upgrade SMS legacy clients to the latest version of SMS. ECM for SMS templates eliminate the guesswork and manual operations required to maintain an optimal SMS environment.

"ECM's ability to easily identify out-of-compliance configurations on individual instances of Systems Management Server across hundreds and thousands of machines automates trouble shooting and maximizes the success rate of software distribution jobs," said Alexander Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer of Configuresoft. "ECM ensures that SMS remains correctly installed and configured over time, so IT departments can harness its ability to reduce the cost and complexity of software deployment and management."

Coming Next: ECM Connector for SMS

Later this year, Configuresoft will deliver a second management module for SMS that integrates ECM's configuration management capabilities with SMS's software distribution infrastructure. The ECM Connector for SMS will allow administrators to perform patch and configuration policy assessments using ECM and automatically deploy any necessary patches, service packs, and software applications via SMS. This bi-directional integration between ECM and SMS will significantly reduce operational costs for enforcing IT and security configuration policies and maintaining standards-based software images across large networks.

Pricing and Availability

Enterprise Configuration Manager for SMS is available immediately from Configuresoft and its business partners worldwide. Pricing starts at $5 per SMS Client and $100 per SMS Management Server. ECM supports Windows NT Server 4.0 or higher, Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or higher and Microsoft SQL Server 2000 or higher.

About Enterprise Configuration Manager

ECM automates the management of configuration settings for Windows-based servers and clients, and enforces security and IT standards. ECM enables companies and government agencies to prevent security vulnerabilities, minimize downtime, reduce help desk calls, and enhance system performance. ECM can enforce security policies without human intervention by automatically resetting configurations to their pre-defined standard when they are inadvertently changed. These capabilities help ensure IT security compliance with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, GLBA, Sarbanes Oxley, and FISMA. ECM Security Update Manager, an add-on module for ECM, automates security patch management by alerting administrators of new security bulletins issued by Microsoft, instantly assessing entire networks to detect vulnerabilities, and deploying required patches to all the target machines with a single mouse click.

Company Background

Founded in 1999, Configuresoft provides the world's leading companies with software for maintaining granular, end-to-end control over system configurations on Windows-based servers, desktops, and mobile systems. Eight of the 25 largest companies in the world use Configuresoft software to address configuration management challenges and enforce compliance with their security and IT standards. Configuresoft is privately held and headquartered in Colorado Springs. To contact Configuresoft, call 719.447.4600, visit us on the Web at http://www.configuresoft.com or write to [e-mail].