Application automates software management on remote devices.
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Press Release Summary:
Questra SoftwareDirector(TM) 5.1 provides equipment manufacturers with automated means by which to track and update valid and desired combinations of software and hardware on remote devices. Program archives defined and actual configurations, as well as related software and properties, in configuration management database to automatically track valid combinations of software and hardware. Software also provides dynamic grouping capabilities.
Original Press Release:
Questra Delivers Solution for Software Update Nightmare
Questra SoftwareDirector Gives Manufacturers Unprecedented Control Over Complex Software Requirements on Remote Equipment
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., April 3 / -- Questra Corporation, the global leader in Intelligent Device Management (IDM), today extended its market advantage by announcing general availability of its next-generation solution for managing software on remote equipment. Questra SoftwareDirector(TM) 5.1, a key application in the Questra IDM Application Suite(TM), solidifies Questra's industry leadership by giving equipment manufacturers an automated, hassle-free means of tracking and updating valid and desired combinations of software and hardware at a distance. The new version of Questra SoftwareDirector dramatically reduces the cost and administrative nightmare associated with managing complex software requirements on remote equipment, making it easier for manufacturers to deploy more equipment, more quickly, without risking equipment safety or effectiveness.
"By addressing the very real technical and logistical challenges of complex software configuration management on remote equipment, Questra has raised the bar for IDM solutions," said Glen Allmendinger, founder and president of Harbor Research. "The features in Questra SoftwareDirector 5.1 have the ability to change the way manufacturers remotely deploy and service their devices."
Managing software versions and properties on remote devices has become increasingly challenging for several reasons. First, the amount of software on remote equipment has increased, as has the frequency that software is updated. For example, it is now common to have off-the-shelf applications, manufacturer's proprietary software, drivers, and networking software installed on a single device. With new software versions often being released every three to six months, the challenge of keeping track of valid combinations of software has escalated. Second, the underlying platform software (e.g., Windows, UNIX, Linux, etc.) found on a device is also continually being patched. Third, as more and different models of devices with different software requirements are deployed at customer sites, the associated management complexity multiplies.
The breakthrough features in Questra SoftwareDirector 5.1 that alleviate this administrative nightmare are:
-- Configuration management
"Defined" and "actual" configurations and related software and properties are stored in a configuration management database as recommended by IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) best practices for configuration management. Device manufacturers now have a way to automatically track valid combinations of software and hardware remotely, and to ensure that software updates are automatically applied to the correct devices. No longer do they have to rely on end users to manually track prerequisites and compatibility issues by device, or send costly technicians to customer sites to perform testing and verification.
-- Dynamic grouping
Manufacturers have access to an optimized display of devices and can set rules to associate devices with groups automatically based on registration properties and actual configurations. This significantly reduces administrators' manual workload, making it possible to manage larger and more diverse deployments. Devices can also be organized by multiple parameters (e.g., customer, geography, device family, and device model) and can be used in a group immediately upon registration.
-- Performance enhancements
A substantial increase in throughput potential also helps make the support of large-scale software downloads a reality.
"This is our fourth software release in 18 months, a direct response to heated market demand," said Walt Rossi, vice president of marketing at Questra. "With Questra SoftwareDirector 5.1, device manufacturers can now provide higher levels of device reliability and customer satisfaction while detecting and diagnosing software issues earlier and easier, which lowers configuration management costs."
About Questra Corporation
Questra is leading the development and marketing of intelligent device management solutions. Equipment manufacturers use the Questra IDM Application Suite(TM), which proactively monitors and manages remote intelligent devices, to provide superior yet cost-effective support to their customers. General Electric, Heidelberg, Kodak, Samsung, Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Waters, among other Fortune 1000 companies, have chosen Questra software as part of their corporate strategies to advance from reactive to proactive equipment service and support. For more information, visit www.questra.com.
NOTE: Questra, the Questra logo, Questra IDM Application Suite, and Questra SoftwareDirector are trademarks of Questra Corporation in the United States and worldwide. All rights reserved.
