enterprise Applications briefs

Nokia and Hewlett-Packard have joined forces to create a package for remote asset management over wireless links, the companies said last week.

The package combines the Nokia M2M Platform, a machine-to-machine communication product, and HP's OpenView management software on an HP-UX or HP ProLiant server.

The package is targeted at companies that want to integrate management of remote assets into their IT infrastructure. Those assets could include utility meters, vending machines, forestry equipment or cars, HP and Nokia said. HP's salesforce, helped by Nokia experts, will sell the package while HP's services organization will offer related integration and consulting services.

The Nokia M2M Platform consists of a gateway and GSM Connectivity Terminals. The gateway establishes the wireless connection and handles IP translation between local and remote applications, while the terminals provide the link over a GSM network. The companies did not say when the product will ship or what it will cost. www.hp.com; www.nokia.com

Symark Software announced PowerBroker 3.0, the updated version of its Unix administrative tool for granting control of account privileges, controlling access to files and directories and logging of requests and keystrokes. Powerbroker 3.0, which costs $30,000 for a five-machine license, has added support for AIX 5, Solaris 9, Debian Linux and IBM S390 Linux, and now can use digital signatures, certificates and Secure Sockets Layer encryption for security. www.symark.com