10 management companies to watch

The time is right for these up-and-comers that promise to take the labor, cost and complexity out of managing today's advanced IP networks, applications and data centers.

BMC, CA, HP and IBM had better watch their backs.

"It is the right time for a more unified, easier-to-use management solution," says Robert Abbott, a principal with venture capitalist firm Norwest Venture Partners, which has invested in such start-ups as Kace. "Enterprise networks and data centers are so complex and fragmented that IT professionals need to reduce the time spent managing devices, servers and desktops. They want simplicity in their management environment today," he says.

A group of start-ups intend to revamp the current landscape of network, systems and application management tools with easy-to-deploy, low-cost -- in some cases, free -- products that can address more quickly the most pressing issues of today's IT managers. Despite the race among the management heavyweights to fill holes in their product suites through acquisitions, newcomers are stealing the spotlight with software and appliances that reduce manual labor, speed problem resolution and simply make it easier to manage networks of all sizes.

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Klir Technologies

Founded: November 2000
Location: Seattle
Management: Co-founder and CEO James Maiocco previously worked as a corporate technology and business attorney.
Funding: $8.7 million from Ignition Partners and MK Capital in June 2005; $3.2 million from several angel investors.

What does the company offer?

Klir Analytics, hosted IT management software delivered as a monthly subscription service. It also just announced a free version of its entry level product.

Why is it worth watching?

The company is partnering with vendors and industry analyst firms and using Web 2.0 technologies to subsidize the cost of its software, making it available for free to customers managing a maximum of 25 devices.

How did the company get its start?

Founders acted on the opportunity to deliver software-as-a-service and provide a product to address the majority of IT management issues without expense and labor upfront.

How did the company get its name?

Klir is the phonetic spelling of the word clear.

Who's using the product today?

Klir lists CACI, ISI and Planet Beach among its customers.