Corporate Software Distribution Still an Unresolved Problem; Battle for Reliable Group Installation Finds New Weapon in LANovation Software Packaging Tools.

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 8, 2000

The very phrase "software rollout" strikes fear into the hearts of the toughest, most seasoned enterprise network administrators.

When required by hundreds or even thousands of employee PCs, a single software installation or upgrade can cost IT staff members an obscene amount of time and productivity.

"Human error and configuration variances make it difficult to install software identically on a large number of machines," writes Mike Avery in an April 2000 article for InfoWorld. "The resulting inconsistencies cause support problems and additional IS visits to user PCs."

InfoWorld estimates that, for a typical software rollout, approximately two weeks' time is "wasted" on every 40 PCs.

Avery continues: "To compound all this wasted time, the employees to whom the software is being distributed are often unable to use their computers during this nightmare; hence, a costly loss of overall productivity."

Network management suites (e.g. Microsoft SMS, Tivoli) often include an installer that is designed to solve this problem. However, these installers are often anemic and more trouble than they're worth. Ask any I.T. professional and the answer is usually the same: Installers don't work. Stay away from them.

But companies are discovering a new weapon in the battle to distribute necessary software across their entire enterprise: special utilities called "software packagers," such as an easy-to-use tool from Minneapolis-based LANovation called PictureTaker. Boasting ten awards for its 3-year-old technology, PictureTaker is quietly gaining ground as the preferred method of software distribution among network administrators around the world.

PictureTaker uses the well-established but often-overlooked "snapshot" technology - hence the product's name - to capture changes on a PC made by installing, updating or uninstalling software. Those changes are compressed into a single file which can be distributed to multiple PCs via CD-Rom, email, a network management suite, or posted on a "self-serve" Internet or intranet page.

PictureTaker is unusually easy to use, a unique benefit that has its customers singing its praises. "Most software distribution tools say that they're fast and accurate, but they're always hard to use and ultimately don't do what they say they will," says Duane Letendre, Network Administrator for Anthem, Inc. "PictureTaker is easy, and it works. Period."

"When we're talking to potential customers, real numbers are our strongest defense," says Kim Pearson, LANovation CEO and President. "Honeywell saved $42,000 the first time it used PictureTaker to roll out software to 7,000 PCs in the U.S. and Canada. Bar Harbor Bank cut the time and cost it usually takes to install software on a new employee PC by 98%. Companies that usually have their help desks double-staffed during rollouts find that they'll only get one or two calls the first time they use PictureTaker."

"There are so many companies still installing software on `sneakernet,'" says Pearson, referring to I.T. employees who depend on manual installation methods to keep PCs up and running. "The cost of employee PC downtime is perhaps even greater than the hard costs of I.T. time and labor." Pearson notes that installing software with PictureTaker is an invisible process that does not interrupt the end-user, so employees remain productive during installations and updates.

PictureTaker Enterprise Edition version 3.1 is available for evaluation and purchase. Pricing starts at $2,000 for 100 licenses. For more information, visit www.lanovation.com or call [phone]; outside the U.S. call [phone]. PictureTaker is available for purchase direct from LANovation or from any of LANovation's national and international reseller partners.

About LANovation: LANovation is a leader at making complex technology simple. Since the company's founding in 1985, the corporate mission has remained the same: to make complex technology simple, provide unequaled customer support and to be a good corporate citizen. LANovation identifies practical opportunities in leading edge technology and brings them to reality.

Note to Editors: Evaluation (NFR) copies of PictureTaker Enterprise Edition 3.1 are available upon request. Contact Kristina Halvorson, Public Relations for LANovation, [phone] ext. 120, fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

PictureTaker technology is patent pending.

PictureTaker is a registered trademark of LANovation. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.