Data Management
Microsoft rolls out Lotus migration set
Microsoft Corp. announced a suite of updated tools to help organizations analyze their Notes/Domino application environment and move important application data to Microsoft’s collaboration platform.
These tools, which will be available for free download, include the Microsoft Application Analyzer 2006 for Lotus Domino, Microsoft Data Migrator 2006 for Lotus Domino, and Windows SharePoint Services Application Templates. In addition, Microsoft announced the immediate availability of updated messaging and calendaring migration and coexistence tools, available now for free download, that include Exchange Connector for Lotus Notes/Domino, Exchange Calendar Connector for Lotus Notes/Domino and Migration Wizard for Lotus Notes/Domino.
NCR offers software for assimilation
NCR has announced a software suite that assimilates and manages data from different devices, including RFID-based technologies, throughout the supply chain.
The advanced software is capable of capturing, analyzing and disseminating data from automated business processes to effectively eliminate the time-consuming and complex effort normally involved with monitoring and managing devices and integrating filtered data into applications.
Operating with both traditional intent-based data collection and RFID-based pervasive data collection, NCR Velocity Portal supports a wide variety of technologies, including real-time wireless, batch systems, programmable logic controllers, personal digital assistants and more. Other benefits of NCR Velocity Portal include integrated security and user authentication, multi-lingual support based on user login, and the ability to connect to an unlimited number of data sources, according to NCR.
Teradata enhances Warehouse product
Teradata has announced the shipment of Teradata Warehouse 8.1, a suite of software, hardware and consulting services, with capabilities that make it easier to build and manage the next generation of active data warehouses that drive enterprise intelligence throughout the organization.
Teradata Warehouse 8.1 includes Teradata Active System Management, a set of system management software designed to make it easier to monitor and manage a Teradata data warehousing environment. Teradata Active System Management monitors the query activity in real time with an on-screen dashboard.
Now available for sale and installation, the key components of Teradata Warehouse 8.1 include the flagship Teradata Database V2R6.1, Teradata Tools and Utilities 8.1 and the NCR 5400 Server introduced in early 2005. These components are accompanied by Teradata consulting services, applications and partnerships.
Radio Beacon WMS keeps warehouses organized
Radio Beacon Inc. announced the release of Radio Beacon WMS v5.4 Gold, a rebalanced version of its warehouse management product for distributors, manufacturers and 3PLs.
This release adds two new modules: License Plates and Carton Splitting, to the Radio Beacon suite. As well, modules have been restructured into different prepackaged editions.
License Plates keep track of item information on a pallet, including lots, serial numbers and pack-sizes, using a single label. This eliminates the need to process individual items when the pallet is moved from one location to another, Radio Beacon said.
Carton Splitting breaks an order into standard cartons using product dimensions, and creates compliance and carton-content labels for the empty carton.
E-Government
CTRVoter tallies the results
CTR Software LLC has released CTRVoter Series 2.0 for Windows XP, which conducts and tabulates roll call votes during board and council meetings.
The software program turns voice votes into electronic files using traditional roll call voting. The electronic form, which can be viewed on PowerPoint or similar systems, shows how members voted and the total Yea’s, Nay’s and Pass’s.
The report can also be printed from a database where it is stored out or backed up onto CDs for future reference.
CTRVoter Series 2.0 starts at US $549 for a three-voting member single-user licence and goes up to US $1,199 for a 16-voting member single-user licence.
DataPilot aimed at law enforcement officials
Susteen, Inc. announced the DataPilot Secure View product, cell phone software designed for law enforcement, corporate security, and computer forensics consultants to acquire valuable contact information from seized mobile phones.
Secure View, initially a corporate product, has been reformatted to include only Read, Save and Print options. By excluding any other functions, the risk of accidentally compromising, manipulating or deleting information from the phone is avoided. What is left is a product that allows investigators to acquire important information from mobile phones, Susteen said.
Secure View is equipped with a universal cabling system that is valued at US$400 in market prices. Over 350 U.S. and Canadian phone models are supported. The product also includes a Live Tech Support line, exclusive to law enforcement and free for one year, which provides a “live-update” to remain updated on the latest phone models.
DataPilot Secure View is compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP3 or XP. The system requirements are a 133 MHz processor, 128MB RAM and 30MB of available disk space. Also needed is 8-bit 800×600 resolution, a USB port and CD-ROM drive. DataPilot Secure View includes one software CD and 12 data cables and it is available to purchase at Susteen’s on-line store.
Security
Symantec adds spyware, adware to DeepSight
Symantec Corp. announced Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System 7.0, a resource for personalized information about known and emerging vulnerabilities and current worldwide attack activity. Available later this month, Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System 7.0 now alerts customers to targeted attacks and offers security alerts with risk ratings of potentially unwanted programs such as adware and spyware.
Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System 7.0 will provide analysis about adware and spyware including how the code behaves and mitigation and removal instructions. Symantec DeepSight Threat Management System 7.0 leverages Symantec’s enterprise-scale Global Intelligence Network of more than 150 million desktop antivirus sensors; 20,000 intrusion detection and firewall sensors; and 4,300 monitored and managed security devices worldwide. This information is combined with Symantec’s vulnerability database of 14,000 entries, coverage of 35,000 versions of applications and operating systems from more than 4,200 vendors; and daily scans of more than 2 million decoy e-mail addresses for anti-spam, phishing, and e-mail security threats.
Password Manager uses AES encryption
Dekart has released a password management tool called Dekart Password Manager that automatically collects passwords and personal data as the user types them.
The information is then encrypted and stored on a key drive that can be used exclusively by the user. When the user removes the drive, all of the passwords and user accounts remain with them. The USB drive is protected by a 256-bit AES encryption.
The software requires no host PC installation because it works directly from the USB key drive or any portable memory device. Password Manager also features a password-generation tool, which allows the user to create cryptographically strong passwords.
JProductivity keeps eye on licensing
JProductivity L.L.C. has released the second version of its licencing framework product for Java called Protection! product, which embeds licence reading and validation code into the components and applications, preventing unlicenced use of software. It does this by ensuring that the licence was issued for the correct product that only the licenced features are available, that the licence has not expired, that the user has accepted the terms of the agreement and that the correct number of copies are running on the network.
The tool locks out unlicenced users and ensures that licenced users can only access the features they’ve paid for. Version two features new licencing schemas, a new backend, a new application designed for the companies’ sales stuff and enhanced user and developer productivity.
The licence file is re-generated using a non-symmetric cipher algorithm to ensure that no one can break the protection, making it difficult to restore the private key by having knowledge of the public key and vice versa. The product also features a control centre that gives the user one location for product management, licence generation and licence maintenance.
The Java-based software runs on Windowes 2000, 2003 and XP, Solaris/SPARC/x86, Linux (Red Hat/SuSE/Debian) and Mac OS X platforms. Standard and professional cost US $407 and $997 respectively for a single-user licence. Backend costs US $1,557 per CPU.
Networking
On Air plugs in Mac users
Equinuxrecently launched On Air for Mac OS X, which allows Mac users to connect to PC-only supported network cameras to view and record data on their computers.
The software supports numerous third-party IP camera manufacturers, including Linksys, Siemens, Allnet and soon D-Link and Digitus. It features a broadcast-room style interface that allows users to easily manage multiple streaming sources.
On Air is available for download at equinox.com/onair.
Fluke tool to ease wireless deployments
Fluke Networks Canada has announced a new laptop-based wireless LAN survey tool that helps network engineers and system integrators plan network deployments, verify performance and optimize access point placement. This saves them money, reduces deployment time, minimizes re-work and ensures the system will perform as expected.
Called InterpretAir, the program displays visual results as opposed to listing RF signal data, identifying problems and specifying actions needed to fix them. The software also features visual representation of actual RF health metrics, making it easier to tune the networks and discover potential problems before they affect mobile applications.
InterpretAir supports WLAN network interface cards, enabling it to be used across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies and in mixed environments where 802.11a and 802.11b/g networks co-exist. The software also features customizable thresholds that can be set for variables such as signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio and access point overlap.
The tool is available immediately through Fluke Networks’ sales channels worldwide. The suggested list price, in Canadian dollars, is $5,109.
Storage>Seagate drive uses perpendicular recording
Seagate Technology has begun shipping a 2.5-inch notebook PC disc drive built on perpendicular recording technology to the worldwide distribution channel.
Delivering up to 160GB of capacity, the most available in a 2.5-inch disc drive, the Momentus series is a 5,400-rpm drive that operates with 4,200-rpm power efficiency to extend battery life. Momentus 5400.3 delivers 132 Gbits per square inch. Seagate will also extend the advantages of perpendicular recording to its 7,200-rpm Momentus disc drives and to all of its 1- and 3.5-inch products.
The Momentus 5400.3 hard drive now shipping to the channel features the Ultra ATA 100 Mbyte/second interface. Seagate will begin shipping Momentus 5400.3 with the 1.5 Gbit/second Serial ATA interface later this year.