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.

WE’RE continuing our series on file collaboration technology by turning the spotlight on Wide Area File Services aka WAFS.

Products, which include Peer Software PeerCollaboration and GlobalSCAPE, combine the power of three elements: File synchronisation, remote file locking and features to control and monitor file sharing.

Just like simple file replication products on the market, WAFS allows IT managers to configure the software to synchronise the contents of designated file shares at two or more locations.

But it picks up bonus points by sensing that a copy of a file is open.

Instantly other copies around the network are locked and, until the open copy is saved, access to the other copies is limited to read only mode or, for additional security, can be blocked completely so that changes can’t be over-written. 

Want some more good news? We’re happy to oblige…

• Low cost. Administration is fuss-free and no dedicated hardware is needed at remote offices;
• All files can be treated as if they are local, which increases productivity;
• Employees can find files in familiar file shares, so they won’t need retraining.

As for minus points, virtually the only blot on the WAFS products’ copybook is that they do not improve the efficiency of voice, video or other non-file based applications.

However, this is a minor quibble as WAFS will tick the boxes for many businesses that demand extensive file sharing with version control.

Other valuable features include:

• Cross-platform support allows file sharing across Windows and NetApp environments
• Centralised management dashboard gives administrators a real-time snapshot of open and locked files;
• Storage of back versions provides a history of changes to each file;
• Individuals at different companies can share files and work as a team.

The next Purple Prose blog will refresh your memory on all four file sharing methods – Content Management Systems, file replication and mirroring, WAN optimisation and WAFS – and offer suggestions on combining technologies.

In the meantime, for more information on file collaboration technology, call the experts Rob and Jan of Purple Rage Software on 01684 576343 or email enquiries@purplerage.com