Overview

• Summary
• Installation Narration
• Running the Program
• Setting up the System
• Ongoing Administration
• OS/Device/Software Support
• Auditing and Reporting
• Support and Pricing
• Key Strengths - Technical
• Key Weaknesses - Technical
• Key Strengths - Commercial
• Key Weaknesses - Commercial

Summary

FrontRange SAM Suite (formerly known as Centennial SAM.Suite) is a complete SAM solution comprising the SAM Essentials project management tool, FrontRange Discovery IT audit solution, FrontRange License Manager for managing records and entitlements and NetInstall to manage the deployment of applications etc.

With FrontRange Discovery as the software audit ‘engine’ for the solution, FrontRange is one of the few products available to offer truly multi-platform and multi-site software inventory and recognition. The product is well placed to offer out of the box SAM functionality to small through large companies. FrontRange has a competitive pricing plan that can be adapted for companies that have either single or multi-site operations.

Installation Narration

FrontRange SAM Suite is installed by module. As an example of the process, FrontRange Discovery 8 is delivered online and comes with one single file 180MB in size. The installation could not be simpler with an installer wizard taking you through the various stages. The product ships with a bundled version of Microsoft SQL 2005 Express Edition so you have everything out of the box and ready to install. It should be noted that for larger deployments the company recommends a dedicated SQL 2005 machine. The installer requests a licence key (30 day key provided with evaluation) and then steps you through the various questions such as location for installation and whether you want to install to an existing SQL server or install a new one with the main software package. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes.

Running the Program

The user has the option of managing each module of SAM Suite individually (ideal for sharing the workload across the enterprise, while minimizing security and confidentiality issues) or working through one of the unified management consoles. The core FrontRange Discovery control center is MMC-based (familiar to all IT professionals), while License Manager and NetInstall have web-based front-ends.

Setting up the System

Nothing could be simpler. The FrontRange Discovery product allows for individual subnets, IP address and domain/workgroup combinations and is a snap to install the client. The console gives you a progress dialogue of the clients as they are installed. Any failure events are easy to see and act upon. If installing on one of the various Linux operating systems that are supported then the company provides very handy scripts to run and once again are very easy to integrate into the network on these machines.

Ongoing Administration

Once you have the Discovery client agents installed the process of data gathering begins. The clients work in the background and do not take up many CPU cycles. The console updates as and when the clients complete the initial audit. From here each and every device can be interrogated. It should be noted that the level of hardware detail associated with each machine, and in particular on Windows based machines, is impressive and can display very granular detail such as motherboard make and revision and free space on hard disks for example.

As well as the MMC based console the company has developed a web based interface. This ensures that the system can be managed and used from almost anywhere the company desires. The web interface also houses a dashboard and comprehensive reporting system.

OS/Device/Software Support

Discovery is at the top of the list when it comes to OS support. The product covers just about any of the common OS solutions that are likely to be in place in corporate offices today. Where other products fail Discovery ensures a comprehensive solution for all of the platforms. In addition it can detect routers, Firewalls and other backend IT infrastructure. For the software elements the company is constantly updating the list of products and has a dedicated team of people that ensure that any deltas are added and quickly offered to existing customers.

Auditing and Reporting

A real strong point of the product. Stock reports within the MMC console and an easy to use and visually appealing set of web based reports and metrics. The web reporting is particularly useful for management access and presentations. The web interface can be configured per user and is slick and easy to use.

Support and Pricing

• POA

Key Strengths – Technical

• Very strong OS support including Windows, Linux, SUNOS and Apple
• Easy to use MMC and web-based interfaces
• Licence Manager supports multiple licensing models (optional extra)
• Small client footprint
• Excellent vulnerability functionality
• Web based access and reporting

Key Weaknesses – Technical

• No real-time control of licences and applications for those that need it.

Key Strengths – Commercial

• Competitively priced
• Cross OS functionality
• Quick to deploy with minimum requirement for expensive professional services
• Low management overhead demand due to MMC use and UI design

Key Weaknesses – Commercial

• Primarily focuses on physical rather than virtual assets
• Reports not as customisable as others

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