PC-WARE improves compliance through SMS data

Issued by PC-Ware for Comparex

Johannesburg, 29 Nov 2007

PC-WARE is a Microsoft large account reseller (LAR), a Microsoft Software Asset Management (SAM) featured partner and a market leader within the area of SAM.

PC-WARE announced to the market that it can now utilise Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) data to identify Microsoft products and all other vendor products on the client`s network, analyse the usage of the software, compare installed software with the existing software contracts, and report compliance status.

Maurice Staal, Managing Director of PC-WARE, explains: "PC-WARE provided these services already for Altiris inventory data, but now we also utilise the existing SMS deployment. The PC-WARE DNA product recognition database is one of the most important functions of our SAM services.

"It is a unique in-house developed software DNA database, able to cleanse raw data and recognise 23 000 applications from 4 000 vendors. This database has been built over the last 10 years and is maintained and extended quarterly on footprints received from our customers worldwide."

The PC-WARE software recognition database connects through an SMS adaptor. Through this, PC-WARE is able to provide cost-effective, quick and detailed software audits within a small or large IT environment. The information from SMS supplies inventory data from each PC on the network. This data is than analysed by the PC-WARE DNA recognition engine and accurate reports are compiled.

Staal adds: "The information we provide to our customers include: product manufacturer, description of function with main and sub-categories, product family, version information (as detailed as possible), language (if relevant) and product type (licence compulsory, Freeware or self-developed)."

PC-WARE South Africa provides this solution as a once-off free service at first sign up of any Microsoft Corporate agreement (Select/Enterprise) with PC-WARE or a managed service. For PC-WARE, being a software licensing specialist, it is crucial to understand the status quo of the current licences and agreements in order to manage the licences and procurement for its customers in the most effective and efficient manner going forward in the relationship.

PC-WARE

PC-WARE Information Technologies is one of the few software licensing companies in South Africa offering a comprehensive core service portfolio, which covers licensing of standardised software, software management and proprietary software solutions. PC-WARE is an Altiris Gold partner in South Africa.

PC-WARE is the outright market leader in Europe within its core business of software licensing and licence management, and growing its business very rapidly in South Africa.

Employing more than 1 600 people and serving around 85 000 customers, the company operates subsidiaries in South Africa, 23 European countries, as well as in China, Russia and the US.

PC-WARE was granted European large account reseller (ELAR) status for the whole of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA region) by Microsoft, one of the company`s key business associates.

Working with cooperation partners, the company is able to cover markets in North and South America, Asia, Australia and Eastern Europe, in addition to serving global customers.

PC-WARE co-operates closely with a number of IT specialists, including Microsoft, Adobe, Citrix, Business Objects, VMware, Novell, Symantec, McAfee, Veritas, Computer Associates, Oracle, Attachmate, Borland, Fujitsu-Siemens, IBM/Lotus and Hewlett Packard.

The company has been operating profitably since its inception in 1990. Activities within the area of software licence reselling commenced in 1993. Since 2000, PC-WARE AG is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.