AUSTIN, Texas – July 20, 2010 – Spiceworks™, Inc. today announced the beta release of an updated version of its free IT management software, which includes new capabilities that allow users to automatically backup, compare and restore configurations for networked devices. In addition, the upgraded version of Spiceworks offers a newly tuned network map that enables IT managers to track bandwidth information for individual end points, such as desktops and laptops. Together these features are designed to help the 1 million IT pros that use Spiceworks to automate more of their complex network management tasks for free. The new features are available now in the beta version of Spiceworks 5.0, which can be downloaded at http://www.spiceworks.com/5.0.
“Small and medium businesses looking to add network configuration management have traditionally had two options – buy expensive software or rely on a free TFTP server and a lot of time consuming and error prone manual processes,” said Scott Abel, co-founder and CEO of Spiceworks. “This latest release of Spiceworks gives them another choice by delivering comprehensive automated network configuration management capabilities for free. As a result, IT managers can get more done with less effort, while saving money for important things like the hardware and software their companies need.”
Additional details on the new network management capabilities available in this latest release of Spiceworks include:
- Automated Network Configuration Monitoring and Backup – enables users to automatically scan and backup configurations for network devices, such as switches, routers and hubs. Scans are updated at regular intervals and as new equipment is added to the network.
- Network Configuration Change Management and Restore – users are alerted to changes to network configurations. Device settings and proper configurations can be remotely restored on network devices using the built-in TFTP server.
- Network Map for Endpoints – the built-in network map now includes the ability to diagram network bandwidth and traffic information for individual endpoints, including desktops, servers, Network Attached Storage (NAS) devices, and other equipment. This provides IT managers with more detailed information on network performance, bottlenecks and overall health.
“Spiceworks is simplifying network configuration management by making it a core part of its free software,” said Chris Chandler, IT Director, Major Tool and Machine, Inc. “These features will let me automatically keep tabs on configuration changes and restore settings across my organization with the click of a button.”
With more than 1 million users in 196 countries, Spiceworks is the most widely deployed and fastest growing IT management application in history. The Spiceworks user community currently supports 35 million workers, manages 60 million computers and devices, and spends $180 billion annually on technology products and services.
Spiceworks is enabling ‘Social IT’ by combining network management, network monitoring and help desk software with a rapidly growing and active Facebook-like community of IT professionals. Organizations of all sizes use the free Spiceworks IT management software and integrated online community to collaborate with each other and support the management of both cloud-based and on-premise technology products and services.
More information on Spiceworks can be found at http://www.spiceworks.com. Follow Spiceworks on Twitter: http://twitter.com/spiceworks. Connect with Spiceworks on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Spiceworks.