Automated systems for the distribution of software to users on a network continues in fashion, and Dallas, Texas-based Software Spectrum Inc has announced a proprietary product, called Diamond, for electronically distributing software applications to corporate users attached to either mainframes or local area networks. The product is a front-end, designed to add value to existing distribution engines, and when it ships this month, it should include asset management capabilities, an inventory of each personal computer to determine the software packages installed, and the hardware configuration. By comparing these records over time to additional licences purchased, Spectrum says that Diamond can guard against unauthorised software duplication and usage within an enterprise. By itself, the product does nothing, instead it is designed to work only in conjunction with commercially available electronic software distribution systems such as Telepartner Inc’s Synchrony and Network Navigator from Novell Inc, which originally came from Annatek Systems’ stable. What Software Spectrum has done is to use the knowledge it gained as a software dealer to add specific installation routines needed by a range of packages. It consists of a repository database for master copies of standard applications and system products. This repository is managed by Software Spectrum jointly with the system administrator, who schedules distributions to users. A purchase order can either be placed for each distribution, or for specific periods of distribution. Because the extensive status-tracking and error checking performed by the electronic software distribution systems and the proprietary components of Diamond, distributions can be unattended and automatic. The company reckons that it will provide installation routines for most popular application and operating system software packages. These routines can detect the specific configuration of the personal computer and perform the installation automatically. Successful installation will result in a purchase being reported electronically to Software Spectrum, and in turn to the software publisher for proper payment and tracking of licences. The reporting capabilities of the Diamond product also include reports suitable for identifying and billing licences to a customer’s various budgetary departments.
