A WORCESTERSHIRE company has linked up with one of the leading enterprise partners in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region to promote a major international software brand.

Purple Rage Software in Malvern, who are sole UK and Ireland distributors for Germany-based DeskCenter Solutions, has appointed ASM Technologies as its premier partner.

ASM Technologies contacted Purple Rage after seeing DeskCenter in action at CeBIT, the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions, in Hanover.

Sales and channels director Jan Gregson said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with ASM to spread the word about DeskCenter, which is aimed at companies in the public, private and financial sectors.  Included in the portfolio is Management Suite, which enables administrators to manage and control IT infrastructure centrally from their workspace and is used by many high profile companies and organisations worldwide, including FIFA and Volkswagen.
“Efficient and reliable license management is more important than ever and should not be left to chance. All unused software licenses use important financial resources that could be used elsewhere and incorrect or incomplete licensing constitutes significant legal risk. DeskCenter faces that challenge and offers a powerful SAM DNA module that helps companies keep software licenses under control.

“One of DeskCenter’s other benefits is that it powers down PCs not in use. The PC Energy Report 2009 showed that only 56 per cent of employees in the UK switch off their PCs after work, which results in unnecessary costs and unwanted carbon dioxide emissions.”

Irvin Shillingford, software channel manager of ASM Technologies, said: “We are delighted to be building a relationship with DeskCenter, an emerging vendor.

“We look forward to this partnership with Purple Rage and creating many market opportunities, DeskCenter brings something different to the table by offering a comprehensive and unique solution in helping clients manage their physical and virtual desktops more cost effectively.”

Purple Rage Software is a privately owned company founded by sales director Jan Gregson and technical director Rob Dixon. Other major brands distributed or resold by the company include NovaStor, Peer Software and Likewise. For more details, visit www.purplerage.com or call 01684 576343.

Notes to editors
For more details, call Jan Gregson of Purple Rage Software on 01684 576343 or email Jan.Gregson@purplerage.com.

ONE of the leading products in the Purple Rage Software portfolio – NovaBACKUP – has been treated to a fresh look for spring 2012.

Launched on Friday, April 13 – now that’s got to be a good omen! – version 13 offers the following brand new benefits:

• Full, incremental and differential image for speedy and efficient imaging;
• Universal restore for the recovery of entire systems to dissimilar hardware;
• Access to individual files and folders of images;
• Backup and restore of encrypted hard drives;
• Windows PE support – which guarantees a consistently updated boot environment for complete system recovery;
• Optimised for new markets with language support for Brazilian, traditional Chinese, Portuguese and Turkish.

Nova BACKUP version 13 is available in three variations – Professional protects single workstations, Server works happily with single file servers and Business Essentials guarantees advanced server protection. Simply call Purple Rage Software to find out which one suits your business, organisation or personal requirements best. 

If the above list isn’t crammed with enough temptations, all three formats also include the following:

• Critically acclaimed 2-step wizard for ease of use;
• Plug and play support for all popular storage devices;
• Full cloud backup capabilities;
• Data encryption to ensure privacy;
• Point-in-time and bare metal restore;
• Open file backup;
• Virus scans and disaster recovery.

Contact Rob or Jan at Purple Rage Software on 01684 576343 or email enquiries@purplerage.com for more details about NovaBACKUP 13.

IT seems that Peer Software updates are like buses, always turning up close together.

Hot on the heels of PeerLink version 2.1.3 comes PeerSync v8.6.6 and PSListener v8.6.6.

As with all of its updates, Peer has investigated reported issues and come up with solutions to help your business or organisation run more effectively.

Can they fix it? Yes they have. Here’s what you DON’T have to worry about anymore:

• Folders created in error during three systems collaborations when ACLs, RT detection of ACLs and the /LG1 arguments were all enabled;
• CRC checking options not working properly when using a TCP source or TCP target (this fix requires an update in PSListener);
• Large file addition followed by a quick rename resulting in both files being added and left on the target;
• Restarts failing when there were pending Managed Files.

Sounds good so far? Well, check out the new features:

• Added ability to use variables in the Variable Data Import and Job Data Import paths;
• Improved communication performance for FTP Source and Target Jobs to limit FTP connection failures and/or timeouts.
• Quicker processing time of Managed Files while limiting failed shadow copies or snap shots.
• Improved logic when initialising VSS on 64 bit systems to force the closure of the VSSServer.exe before taking a shadow copy.

These updates are free for Purple Rage Software customers on a maintenance contact. Call or email us to find out more.

AS if spring isn’t full of enough treats like colourful tulips and chocolate eggs, our good friends at Peer Software have launched an update to its popular PeerLink product.

Version 2.1.3 comprises several changes to enhance existing features and the company has also addressed issues raised by users.

The list of improvements looks like this:

• Enhanced support for NetApp storage devices, including support for Alternate CIFS Share Mappings, better memory management for agents connecting to NetApp devices and assorted NetApp-related performance and stability enhancements;
• Better support for centrally managing agents from the PeerLink hub including the ability to remotely set communication and logging settings and to automatically restart an agent when running low on memory. The amount of memory assigned to a connected agent service can also be set remotely;
• The configuration process for conflict resolution has been simplified. New features added include the ability to truncate milliseconds from timestamp comparisons on two or more files and stronger deletion detection and handling during initial scans.

Sounds good so far? Well, as Jimmy Cricket would say, listen, there’s more…

• PeerLink v2.1.3 offers enhanced folder and file metadata scanning with better memory management and enhanced file filter expressions for excluding and including folders based on folder or path name;
• The product boasts the ability to globally specify non-collaborative file types, ensuring that these types are synchronised in a usable state without file locking functionality;
• It can also ignore real time events generated by one or more usernames for both Windows file servers and NetApp storage devices and detect and/or exclude files and folders that have names containing invalid characters.

This update is free for Purple Rage Software customers on a maintenance contact. Call or email us to find out more.

Laptops – we love ‘em and can’t do without ‘em. They enable us to work from home, on the move and show presentations to potential clients on their own turf.

But, amazingly, our increasingly flexible friends are the least protected digital asset with industry surveys revealing that up to 60 per cent of corporate information is at risk.

Many backup options have tended to concentrate on the data centre and failed to keep pace with the challenges created by companies favouring laptops over desktops. Just think about how many more you see on the train or in a hotel lobby these days.

Traditional backup options throw up the following problems:

• How to handle the different connectivity states of a laptop user, for example, “on net” when in the office, “off net but connected remotely” when at home and “temporarily disconnected” when working on a flight;
• How to ensure efficient and secure data backup from anywhere in the world;
• How to centrally configure, deploy and monitor a backup solution in real time for a system that is continually mobile.

Scary reading, eh? Fear not as Purple Rage Software, whose mission is to find the perfect software solution for businesses of all shapes and sizes, can help.

Purple Rage distributes and resells high quality backup software, including PeerSync Laptop Backup.

This Peer-less product addresses all of the dilemmas above, enabling centralised configuration, deployment and monitoring of continuous data protection for laptops.

Here are some other plus points:

• Centralised monitoring console;
• Backup auto-start with intelligent “connection” check;
• Inadvertent file deletion protection;
• Bandwidth throttling;
• Real-time event detection and backup when connected.

Pricing starts at £587.50 including annual support and maintenance for a five user pack.

For more details, contact Jan or Rob at Purple Rage Software on 01684 576343 or email enquiries@purplerage.com

PEER Software, the peer-less choice for file synchronisation, replication, backup and file collaboration, has unveiled PeerSync Peer-To-Peer Folder Synchronization Utility v8.6.5.

New for 2012 and now available through Purple Rage Software, this latest PeerSync patch offers a range of improvements to the display and reporting of events, file and folder compression as well as fixes to commonly reported issues throughout the software.

Designed to help your business run more smoothly, here are the highlights of the all-new version:

• VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) support for 64bit systems; 
• Folder and file compression/expansion improvements and fixes;
• Reporting and display enhancements and fixes; 
• Fixed random failures that would occur during expansion of files;
• Improved file compression to treat the ‘Move Files – Delete source file after successful copy to target’ option similar to using non compression/expansion jobs. For normal jobs, this prevents unwanted deletions if accidentally selecting the same source and target folder.
• Display and reporting enhancements including improved progress display reporting and enhanced content of log file and display reporting.

If your business or organisation has a maintenance contract with Purple Rage, you can upgrade to v8.6.5.

For more details, contact us at sales@purplerage.com or call Jan or Rob on 01684 576343.

THINK for a moment about the unwritten rules of your workplace.

Having milk in the fridge and choccy biscuits in the cupboard at all times and trying not to spend too long on Facebook and Twitter are probably up there, but does anyone give much, if any, consideration to effective license management?
Unused licenses deprive businesses of capital that would be welcome elsewhere and inadequate software licensing may lead to potentially damaging risks.

There is a simple solution. DeskCenter, distributed exclusively in the UK and Ireland by Purple Rage, has developed Software Asset Management (SAM) DNA – a powerful tool that allows companies to regulate existing and future software easily, quickly and correctly.

Recommended by Microsoft, DeskCenter SAM learns from your environment. Once installed and configured, it starts testing installed software and licenses that are relevant to your business, helping you fulfil the compliance requirements of software manufacturers and better access your risks.

The main benefits are:

• Central software asset management with integrated control and administration;
• Continual collection and administration of software inventory;
• Reduced legal risks from software resellers;
• Easy integration into existing workflows;
• Automatic transparency.

SAM DNA’s smart software inventory provides an overview of all installed software and associated licenses. It will also generate a compliance report.

Other invaluable features are:

• Application metering – this measures the use of the software and, in turn, its profitability. Unused software is detected in real time.
• Software lifecycle management – capture all of the software’s features throughout its life cycle for improved control and management.

For more details about how SAM DNA can benefit your business, call Jan or Rob at Purple Rage Software on 01684 576343 or email enquiries@purplerage.com

MOST of us have heard of Volkswagen®, FIFA® and Honeywell® – all big fans of our flexible friend, The DeskCenter Management Suite.

Purple Rage Software is delighted to have been appointed sole UK and Eire distributor for German-based DeskCenter and, over the coming months, we’ll share more details about its amazing products.

The Management Suite kicks us off this week and the phrase ‘one database, unlimited possibilities’ suits it perfectly.
With the ability to grow to meet your company’s needs, the Suite includes all functions from the beginning and modules can be added at any time just by changing the license key.

Everything is available from one console, with a consistent user interface and structure. You can manage hardware, licenses, users and workstations and be able to install, detect, monitor and evaluate every system in your IT environment.   

Here are the major plus points:

• Deals with all administrative tasks;
• Controls complex IT structures;
• Manages workflows;
• All processes managed by one database;
• Can open interfaces to other systems;
• Easy to understand.

Still need convincing? Well, there’s no end to the Suite’s talents…

• OS deployment – install complete operating systems fully automated;
• Software deployment – supply any number of users, groups or departments with the software they need;
• Software packaging – complete and edit packages yourself;
• Real time system management – use all commands that can be run on a workstation, remotely and in real time;
• Inventory – all hard and software asset data is gathered and automatically stored in the open database;
• Asset management – manage all parts of a workplace, including screens, PC, phones or even office furniture;
• File and contract repository – files, documents and contracts are readily available.

We’d love to tell you so much more about how DeskCenter Management Suite can help your business run effectively – and save on spiralling energy costs as it powers down PCs not in use.

Call Jan or Rob on 01684 576343 or email enquiries@purplerage.com

IN our previous four Purple Prose blogs, we’ve explored the pros and pitfalls of four different file collaboration methods.

Content Management Systems, file replication and mirroring, WAN optimisation and Wide Area File Services have all come under the microscope.

This time around we’ll be exploring how technologies can be combined to provide an effective solution for your business or organisation.

Let’s start the ball rolling with file replication plus WAFS.

File replication and mirroring products improve productivity by making shared files available locally. However, they lack file locking which leaves companies vulnerable to version control headaches.

Riding to the rescue are WAFS products which include a remote file locking module that can be used alongside a file replication product, e.g. Peer Software PeerLock integrates with Microsoft DFS.

Working together, this terrific low cost twosome provides fast file access, prevents version control problems and conserves bandwidth.

However, file replication products like Microsoft DFS are not suited to companies with thousands of files and many offices so larger organisations will require a full WAFS solution.

Another successful combo is WAN optimisation and WAFS, which offers an excellent balance of cost, performance and functionality.    

Many companies worldwide opt for WAN optimisation appliances in larger offices and use WAFS to replicate and lock files across all sites. The benefits are local access to files, version control and effective bandwidth use for voice and video traffic.

Collaborative teams have become increasingly common in the workplace. However, in the drive for efficiency, this can place heavy demands on networks, which is why IT administrators must think long and hard before deciding which technology to invest in.

Let’s sum up the merits and disadvantages of each method:

• Content Management Systems – Sophisticated collaborative features but they can reduce productivity when large files need to be shared across remote offices;
• File replication – Makes files available locally but is often let down by lack of version control, effective multi-threading for performance or trouble-shooting management tools;
• WAN optimisation – Improves performance, saves bandwidth and helps with voice and video. Minus points are large files don’t move fast enough for some users and products can be expensive for companies with many locations;
• Wide Area File Services (WAFS) – Replicates files to multiple locations and provides remote file locking and management tools. One drawback to these products is that they don’t improve performance for video or voice traffic.

PeerSoftware, manufacturers of PeerLock, are market leaders in WAFS with more than 10,000 customers worldwide.

For more information about Peer products – or to discuss any aspect of file collaboration technology – call Rob and Jan of Purple Rage Software on 01684 576343 or email enquiries@purplerage.com

The ideal choice for your file synchronization, replication, backup and file collaboration needs, Peer has unveiled two exciting upgrades for 2012.

Purple Rage Software is delighted to welcome PeerLock v3.6.5 and PeerSync Observer v3.6.5 to its portfolio of products.

PeerLock v3.6.5 has been enhanced to allow full visibility of your locked files, even when running in a DFS environment, while Observer/Administrator now incorporates full visibility of your PeerLock environment.

If your business or organisation has a maintenance contract with Purple Rage, you can upgrade to these latest versions.

For more details, contact us at sales@purplerage.com or call Jan or Rob on 01684 576343.

PeerLock v3.6.5
Thanks to the addition of a Read-Only PeerLock version, you will be able to view your locked and released list through the PeerLock interface, even if PeerLock is running as a Windows Service.

The Read-Only Display Mode allows you to:

• View all jobs and associated statistics;
• View all locked and released files;
• Save all lists (Locked Files, Released Files, and Job Selection List) into a CSV file format.

Another plus point is a fully customisable display and column selection.

PeerSync Observer v3.6.5
New for Observer/Administrator is a two-tiered PeerLock Display, which boasts the following features:

• Shows PeerLock application state similar to the PeerSync Status Display in the Observer;
• Ability to select one or more computers to filter Locked or Released Files;
• Customisable column selection;
• Saves all PeerLock lists into a CSV file format;
• Ability to view log files for local or remote PeerLock instances.

Administrators will also receive an e-mail notification on PeerLock Status Changes.

New license keys are required for all of these upgrades. Call Purple Rage Software to find out more.