Hardly surprising, but Computer Associates International Inc believes Platinum Technology Inc’s acquisition of Intel Corp’s LanDesk Configuration Manager software is simply a case of its systems management rival playing catch-up (CI No 3,317). Moreover, CA claims the arrangement proves its own Unicenter TNG Framework system management software has reduced most of the technology in LanDesk Configuration Manager to commodity status. According to CA, Unicenter already provides the kind of software- only configuration solution for desktop PCs that Platinum will develop out of the Intel software, including the ability to automatically power up PCs to perform configure and administration tasks as well as support for Intel’s Wired for Management protocols. CA points to Unicenter’s operating system load, WakePC and DMI browser code which competes directly with LanDesk Configuration Manager. Additional functions such as inventory, virus protection and software distribution can be layered on top of the Unicenter base services, CA brags, while LanDesk Configuration Manager’s software delivery and BIOS flash update tasks are performed by Unicenter’s Software Delivery Option. Indeed CA believes the extensive functional overlap between the Configuration Manager and Intel’s LanDesk Management Suite 6, clearly earmarked the software as the odd product out in Intel’s [software] product family. Moreover, CA observes, compounding this awkwardness LAN administrators with both products had to perform every operation twice. The deal’s as a way for Intel rationalize its product line by farming out LanDesk Configuration Manager development in its book. LanDesk Configuration Manager is a workgroup administration product for installing and maintaining Microsoft Windows 95 and NT software configurations on traditional and network PCs in LANs of up to 100 devices, and is one of six LanDesk products. CA suggests the arrangement with Platinum is another example of the way Intel placates partners, pointing to similar announcements with Tivoli Systems Inc’s for its Multi-Platform Manager API and BMC Software Corp’s i960 embedded agent technology which under scrutiny are revealed as sound and fury signifying nothing, CA claims.
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