Netopia’s Timbuktu Division Releases netOctopus 3.5, the First
Comprehensive Systems Management Solution to Overcome Platform Limitations
netOctopus’ New Platform Independent Architecture Enables Seamless Desktop
Administration in Multi-Platform Environments
ALAMEDA, Calif., August 30, 1999 – Netopia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTPA) announces
the immediate availability of netOctopus 3.5, the only systems management
and desktop administration solution to overcome the cross-platform
limitations inherent in enterprise environments. netOctopus 3.5 is based on
Netopia’s new platform independent architecture that provides integrated
Windows and Mac OS systems management, allowing organizations to increase
the yield of their IT investments from a single systems management solution.
As part of Netopia’s Timbuktu family of Intranet and Extranet management
solutions, netOctopus 3.5 enables cross-platform administration of Windows
or Mac OS-based systems from either a Windows or Macintosh administration
console. Previously, centralized systems management solutions forced IT
administrators to choose desktop administration tools based on specific
operating systems. Offering a single solution, netOctopus 3.5’s unique
platform independent architecture allows IT professionals to focus on
reducing systems management costs, improving overall service, and
increasing user productivity across all major computer platforms without
sacrificing functionality. From an “out-of-the-box” installation,
administrators can gain control of their entire network through inventory
and asset management, software distribution and remediation, as well as
system configuration and historical analysis.
“One of our main concerns in selecting a systems administration tool was
the ability to support our diverse employee and client population,” said
Dorian Cougias, CIO of True North Communications. “With the new systems
management capabilities in netOctopus 3.5, my staff now has a comprehensive
desktop administration tool that can meet the needs of our multi-platform
environment.”
netOctopus 3.5 provides complete hardware and software inventories
detailing the configuration of each computer on the Intranet in real-time
without interrupting the workflow of users. This information is
automatically monitored, and changes are reported with one click. From a
single desktop and regardless of platform, the network administrator can
troubleshoot, install and upgrade software on any Windows or Macintosh
computer; correct and prevent system problems; and monitor software usage.
“netOctopus 3.5 was designed as a comprehensive systems management solution
– not as a management utility for a specific platform,” said Dovid Coplon,
netOctopus product manager of Netopia, Inc. “Our new platform independent
architecture stands alone in offering IT administrators a complete desktop
administration solution which can be executed from their platform of
choice.”
Key netOctopus 3.5 Product Enhancements
Platform Independent Architecture – netOctopus 3.5 was created in a
unique shared multi-platform development environment allowing the system
administration components to be built in parallel, ensuring completely
seamless interaction.
netOctopus Windows Administrator – Provides seamless cross-platform
administration of Windows and Macintosh platforms from a Windows 9x or NT
console. The Windows and Macintosh administrators leverage the same file
structures allowing for transparent exchange of reports, filters and
databases.
Improved Intranet Asset Management Features – netOctopus now provides
well over 400 system configuration details on remote desktops that can be
gathered and analyzed cross-platform. Integrated reporting and filtering
ensures only the desired hardware and software information is secured with
minimal impact to network bandwidth.
Improved Registry Command – netOctopus makes it simple to change a
registry setting value on a remote desktop. The Windows registry browser
allows administrators to simply double-click and implement registry setting
changes.
Process Control – netOctopus enables administrators to launch and
terminate processes such as applications on remote workstations.
Remote Control Integration – A new “Timbuktu Remote Control” menu
provides efficient integration of Netopia’s Enterprise Remote Control
Software.
Interface Improvements – Exciting ease-of-use improvements have been made
in the availability of commands with new drop-down menus, improved
navigation options like “Find” in window, and context sensitive help.
Pricing and Availability
netOctopus 3.5 software is available immediately at
http://www.netopia.com/software/netoctopus or by calling 800-803-8212 and
is available for sale worldwide through Netopia’s global distribution
partners. netOctopus 3.5 is licensed on a per node basis. Pricing in
configurations of 10, 50 and 100 users ranges between $57-$65 per seat. For
customers with larger networks, volume and site licensing is also available
directly from Netopia by calling 800-485-5741. For International inquiries
please contact Netopia at 510-814-5000. Current netOctopus maintenance
customers will receive their upgrade software in mid-September. Users of
netOctopus 3.0 can download their free upgrade at
http://www.netopia.com/software/netoctopus/upgrade.html
About Netopia, Inc.
Headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Netopia, Inc’s (NASDAQ: NTPA) Timbuktu
division is a market leader in providing award-winning help desk, systems
management and collaboration software. Designed to maximize the value of
information technology while reducing the cost of support in the enterprise
and application service provider (ASPs) environments, the Timbuktu product
line includes remote control and collaboration software, multi-platform
systems management tools, and web-based screen casting solutions. The
company has partnerships with leading enterprise software developers
including Remedy Corp. (NASDAQ: RMDY), Tivoli Systems, an IBM Company
(NYSE: IBM), Perot Systems Corp. (NYSE: PER) and Microsoft, Inc. (NASDAQ:
MSFT). Further information can be obtained via phone 510-814-5100, fax
510-814-5021 or Internet at http://www.netopia.com.