San Francisco-based Breakaway Software Inc has introduced Picus, a new system administration tool for Unix servers and clients that it says can be integrated with other third-party systems administration functionality. Using a daemon-based messaging system, it can monitor multiple machines, workstations or servers, concurrently in any size network. Picus is not self-contained. It is architecturally layered with each of its layers responsible for providing one phase of acquiring, preparing and presenting data. Modules include security, watchdog capabilities, user management, archiving, TTY processes, maintenance and printer configuration, Picus configuration, pool configuration and integrity enforcement, networking and managing large networks. The application is used as a stand-alone or networked package. It can access heterogeneous systems including Unix, X Window, TCP/IP, Windows and Motif via a graphical user interface. Pricing for Picus is $2,000 stand-alone; $4,000 networked.
