Press Releases

Visionael Targets European Market for Strong Growth In Software for Managing Network Change

Visionael Network Resource Manager 7.3 automatically discovers and documents the state of the network, ensuring accurate data is available for planning changes and effectively managing business risk

LONDON/MUNICH, Germany, October 11, 2005 -- Visionael Corp., a leading provider of technology asset management solutions, today announced the availability of Visionael Network Resource Manager (NRM) 7.3, a new version of its flagship software that helps companies and service providers effectively manage the complexities of planning for and deploying new network services. The company is also announcing that it is strengthening its relationships with key system integrators and distribution partners in Europe to target large enterprises and the burgeoning "triple play" convergence of voice, data and video.

According to the April 2005 Gartner report, Distributed IP Systems to Oust Regular PBXs in Western Europe, "between 2008 and 2010, most traditional PBX solutions will be replaced by either IP-enabled or pure IP-PBX solutions." On the enterprise side, Gartner research indicates that fewer than 30 percent of global enterprises have an automated asset management system in place to assist them in managing the wave of network transformation.

Increasingly, large enterprises, government organizations and telecommunication service providers are migrating to an IP-based environment, creating a more pressing need to better manage their networks. Essential revenue-generating applications, including financial transactions, customer relationships management and supply chain connections, will also be integrated to the IP backbone over time. Changes to the network, if not well planned and executed, can disrupt business operations, resulting in a loss of customers and revenue.

"As one of Europe's largest value-added network infrastructure vendors, we understand our customers' requirements to know their networks. Businesses have become so network-dependent that traditional paper- and spreadsheet-based systems simply create too much risk," said Johan Toll, manager of professional services at Dimension Data, Sweden. "The Visionael NRM solution offers our customers a competitive advantage because they always know the current state of their network, enabling a rapid response to any changes in the markets of their business."

Visionael NRM 7.3 reduces the risks created by network change by giving IT professionals an arsenal of powerful yet easy-to-use tools to automatically discover, design, document and update the state of a company's network. Access to a current, accurate view of the network provides significant business advantages:

Network changes - from integration issues caused by a merger to the adoption of the latest VoIP or storage area network technologies - can be quickly designed, even if they require multiple steps, to allow better decision making and a speedier response to changing market conditions.
Service providers deploying triple play solutions can deploy "just enough" infrastructure to meet consumer demand and reduce early adopter service activation issues.
Gaps, redundancies and wasted resources on the network can be easily identified and corrected, reducing costs.
Business continuity can be more readily achieved after a disaster since a complete view of the network is available to accurately reconstruct the system. The maintenance process can also be managed more effectively due to greater knowledge of a failing component's location and properties.
Companies can demonstrate that their networks can meet the availability requirements specified under recent regulatory processes including Sarbanes-Oxley and the Basel II capital adequacy framework.

"IDC believes an automated tool for enterprises and carriers to discover, document and manage change from a central repository of information is the foundation to quickly and successfully introduce new technologies to their networks," said Vincent Lui, senior research analyst, network management, IDC. "As enterprises are beginning to adopt 10 Gigabit Ethernet and storage area networks, and migrate their networks from circuit switch to IP-based, Visionael's Network Resource Manager de-risks new technology deployments."

Visionael NRM 7.3 Offers Greater Customization, Flexibility
Visionael NRM 7.3 builds upon a highly successful base product with the introduction of greater customization options so customers can tailor the software to their unique needs. The Visionael Repository, which maintains the details of all network assets, can now be extended through the use of custom objects. Custom objects can be used to model a variety of network-related resources, including wireless cell tower sectors, software applications on servers, and installation accessories such as nuts and bolts on racks and towers. Customer-specific business processes and requirements can also be added.

Other enhancements focus on improving administration and management, and reducing redundant information. Information that was maintained in multiple data stores can now be incorporated into a single repository, improving access and operational efficiency. The Network Audit function, which is part of the discovery capabilities within Visionael NRM, features a simplified category listing so users can more easily find the devices and components they want.

"Today, European companies and carriers are leading the way with next-generation network technologies like Voice-over-IP and triple play services. These organizations are facing increasing levels of risk as they push the technology envelope, while trying to stave off brand new competitors and tight capital budgets. Unfortunately, they are relying on manual processes to try and keep pace with the rapid changes and evolving regulatory requirements," said Laurence Malroux, Visionael's general manager, Europe and Asia Pacific. "The Visionael Network Resource Manager software is designed to reduce our customers' risk by providing insights into every facet of the network, giving our customers the ability to effectively manage network change and stay competitive."

NRM 7.3 will be available globally beginning in mid October 2005. The company plans to release Visionael NRM 7.4 later this fall, which will add support for French interfaces. Depending on the size and scope of the deployment, pricing typically ranges from US$100,000 to more than US$1 million.

About Visionael
Visionael is a software and services company that enables customers to effectively plan for and respond to the ever-changing complexity associated with large computer networks. Enterprises, government organizations, network outsourcers, and telecommunications services providers rely on Visionael tools and insights to know and manage the risks associated with deploying new network technologies and services. The company has an extensive worldwide customer base, including Alpheus Communications, Comcast, EDS, Kaiser Permanente, IBM Global Services, Sprint and Vodafone. Channel, system integrators and partners include Dimension Data, EDS, IBM Global Services, Logica and Pride. Visionael is a privately held company, headquartered in Palo, Alto, California, with major development facilities in Tulsa, Okla. and Bangalore, India. Sales offices are located throughout North America and Europe. For more information, please visit http://www.visionael.com/, or call +1 650-470-8920.

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Visionael® and the Visionael logo are trademarks of Visionael Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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