Management software vendor BMC Software is due to release a suite of products aimed at small to midsize businesses (SMBs). Known as IT Systems Management Express, BMC's suite brings together systems management, service management and identity management through the integration of the company's BMC Performance Manager Express, BMC Identity Management for .Net and BMC Service Desk Express.

IBM announced its SMB management software suite -- Tivoli Express -- last month, though the official unveiling is scheduled for its PartnerWorld 2006 show next week in Las Vegas.Where the IBM and BMC suites differ is that BMC's software includes a service desk, according to Stephen Elliot, research manager, enterprise systems management software with analyst IDC.BMC is in the progress of rebranding its software under a single company brand, according to Warren Cook, senior manager, product management at BMC. "Magic is one of the early adopters," he said in a recent phone interview, with the company's Remedy products, which are the fruits of another acquisition, to follow in the future.

When it comes to competition, both IBM and BMC are up against "freeware, cheapware and custom [management] software," according to IDC's Elliot. Then, there's the larger issue of whether SMBs see systems, services and identity management as priorities on which to spend limited IT budgets, he said.

Source: 1

Prashanth Rai

Tag(s):Systems+Management