Network Management Tools Boost Revenue

The tools perform different functions, but all three can help solution providers sell their products and services more effectively by pinpointing trouble spots that could easily be fixed if companies invested in software, hardware or services.

Expand Networks WAN Monitoring Tool

Expand Networks provides many WAN compression and acceleration appliances for traffic discovery, application visibility and instant Quality of Service assessment. These accelerators can typically increase network capacity from 100 percent to 400 percent, according to the company. Expand Networks' free WAN application monitoring tool is available for Expand Networks' resellers to demonstrate the effectiveness of these appliances. The downloadable tool shows network managers application status and bandwidth consumption and can calculate ROI in minutes. The tool maps a company's WAN, evaluates performance and pinpoints bottlenecks. VARs can then demonstrate Expand Networks' WAN accelerators' effect on overall network performance. The software is easy to install and is compatible with Windows-based systems.

Expand Networks offers a single-tier channel program to partners. Accredited Partners can expect margins in the 30 percent range. Partners must complete sales and technical training and must purchase at least two Expand Networks Accelerators for customer demonstrations and evaluations. Accredited partners are eligible for co-op marketing funds, and a field engineer is available to provide integration assistance. Partners can use Expand Networks' Accredited Partner Logo on all collateral, and training programs are available both to distributors and resellers.

Tek-Tools' Profiler Rx

Tek-Tools' Profiler Rx is a modular, web-based application that targets storage—BE it DAS, NAS, SAN or backup-and-recovery solutions. The main component of the system, Profiler Rx Server, is a MySQL database that collects information from other modules. With the right modules in place, a company can thoroughly monitor its entire network of storage appliances. The package includes over 200 pre-defined reports and a wizard to allow integrators to generate custom reports.

The Profiler Rx suite identifies network connectivity sore spots to identify where changes are needed. Out of the box, the $7,500 Entry Pack is compatible with Windows NT, XP, 2000 and 2003, as well as Solaris, NetWare, Linux, AIX, HP-UX, SCO, Tru64, NetApp and Celera. The entry pack supports any two operating systems and includes 10 licenses. Optional modules can address backup-and-recovery concerns, DNS and databases, enabling companies to identify areas where server consolidation could occur. The tool also offers chargeback tracking for closer monitoring of resource usage.

Tek-Tools' single-level channel program offers margins of 35 percent. Partners must demonstrate experience in storage and be trained on the product. VARs can rebrand the Profiler Rx Suite for OEM opportunities. The vendor provides sales resources, product collateral and demo units, and technical and sales training.

Visualware MySpeed Server

MySpeed Server from Visualware is an easy way to provide Internet speed-testing services. The tool measures download and upload speeds between a user's PC and a server. When placed on a Web site, MySpeed Server accurately measures connection speeds, including upload burst speeds and Quality of Service, and the results can help integrators troubleshoot network bottlenecks and provide a great sales incentive.

MySpeed Server can be incorporated as is into existing Web pages or can be customized to match a corporate Web site. The tool is a Java applet that can be hosted from standard Web servers such as Apache and Microsoft Internet Information Services servers. Since Apache servers permit the largest uploads, installing the tool on Web sites fed by these servers will provide the most accurate results. An optional server-side Java Servlet can measure direct socket-to-socket download and upload speeds for even better results. MySpeed Server costs $249 per year per domain per server. Solution providers can receive volume discounts and can download a free trial copy from Visualware's Web site. Status in Visualware's three-tier channel program depends on the type of products sold and volume. Solution providers in the vendor's top Enterprise Solutions tier must complete sales and technical training, and overall margins average 40 percent. CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>MySpeed Server

COMPANY: Visualware Inc.
Santa Clara, Calif.
(866) 847-9273
www.visualware.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Direct from vendor
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: None
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

Note: Recommended status is earned with a score of eight stars out of 10

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>Profiler Rx Suite

COMPANY: Tek-Tools, Inc.
Dallas, Texas
972-980-2890
www.tek-tools.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Dallas Digital, SSI, Harding Group, SANZ, GCA, Siemens Business Services
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: Partners must have trained sales engineers
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

Note: Recommended status is earned with a score of eight stars out of 10

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>Expand WAN Monitoring Tool

COMPANY: Expand Networks
Roseland, N.J.
888-892-1250
www.expand.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Alternative Technology, IBM Global Services, NTT Communications, LTI DataComm
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: Must fulfill Expand Networks Accreditation Program

Note: Recommended status is earned with a score of eight stars out of 10