Free software helps guard against uncontrolled IT growth for SMB

Munich, Februray 24th 2003: Business software firm LOGIN is making available free software that will help UK small and medium businesses guard against uncontrolled growth of their IT infrastructure and highlight licensing irregularities. The software conducts automated hardware and software inventories, also allowing users to identify unused resources. LOGIN provides a 20-user licence full version of the software as a free download from www.loginventory.com.

In order to eliminate costs in IT infrastructure, businesses must first identify un- and under-used resources in their network – such as old hardware that cannot run up-to-date software, and software licences that are automatically renewed, even though the software is no longer used.

Conducting a manual inventory of a company’s IT infrastructure is laborious and time-consuming, and the information is out of date as soon as one user downloads and installs a software package.

LOGINventory: Quick and cost-effective Network Inventory taking

LOGINventory provides a short cut to this process. Once the software is installed on a network server, a user is only a few mouse clicks away from having a complete rundown at their fingertips of every single piece of hardware and software in the network. It also provides network administrators with early warning that extra software licences may need to be purchased, in order to remain legal.

Data collected during the network inventory sweep conducted by LOGINventory also includes details of PC components including processors, memory and graphics cards, and other network devices such as printers, switches and hubs, enabling the rapid identification of redundant and out-of-date components.

This allows businesses to identify savings. And real-time inventory data available at the touch of a button also shows companies where they are spending too much on software licences – for example, if only three of 10 people ever use a particular software application, then it is clearly a waste of money to renew 10 licences.

LOGIN Managing Director Roland Loetzerich says: "The potential saving on IT infrastructure maintenance in an average Small to Medium Business is around 30 per cent, according to research from META Group – which allows SMBs to invest in upgrading their IT, without spending a penny more from existing budgets."

Free software with no ties

LOGINventory for up to 20 PC clients, and upgrades from earlier versions can be downloaded for free at www.LOGINventory.com/downloads.htm. Licences for companies with a network of 50 or more PCs can be purchased directly from LOGIN, with prices varying according to the size of the network, from between £2.10 (€3) and £5.60 (€8) per PC.

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