ANTenna Blog -- Business & E-Business

Systems and network management have been coalescing, so dividing lines between the two have become hard to discern. Consequently, it is not too surprising to see vendors in one of these areas moving more squarely into a new niche.

EMC, a company best know for its data center storage products, has been building up its network management line. Recently, the company enhanced VoyenceControl, so it functions more effectively in multi-vendor environments. The product features automated device configuration models for more than 1,500 products from about 60 vendors. Demand for this type of technology is growing, as small and medium companies look for ways to streamline management and device configuration in increasingly complex data center networks.

VoyenceControl can also issue reports about device data with the click of a button instead of requiring that users input command line interface instructions. If a product, like a router or a switch, is improperly configured, VoyenceControl will automatically reconfigure it. In addition, the solution now includes a Compliance Engine that supports both device and regulatory compliance, so companies can make sure that users adhere to company policies. The management system also features a new reporting engine that supports compliance monitoring as well as the ability to create customized reports.

Small and medium businesses have been trying to streamline their management functions. In response, EMC has been broadening its product line both via internal development as well as acquisitions. The company purchased Voyence, which was a start-up, for about $100 million in October 2007. The new release is the first since that change was made.

EMC does face some challenges in its quest to become a more significant player in the management space. VoyenaceControl is not integrated with EMC’s ControlCenter at this point. Also, the company’s solutions have typically been beyond the grasp of most small and medium corporations. Pricing for VoyenceControl starts at the $20,000 mark and can quickly reach six figures. EMC’s move underscores changes taking place in the systems and network management space, but it is unclear if the company’s products are a fit for small and medium businesses.

Do you have any EMC storage solutions? How much interest do you have in the company’s system and network management tools? How much would you be willing to pay for such products?