One new open source management tool to keep an eye on is CalemEAM; the Web-based software package could help administrators manage the purchase, inventorying and maintenance of enterprise IT assets — such as PCs, servers, and network gear.

CalemEAM is an enterprise asset management platform, which was recently released in beta. The software allows users to inventory and track enterprise assets. It also includes tools for creating reports and documents relating to contracts, end-user training, purchasing, and maintenance for enterprise computing gear. The software also includes modules for scheduling, project management, and budgeting. The browser-based interface allows it to run on any client with Internet Explorer or Firefox; AJAX gives the client drag-and-drop capabilities, and other features which make it more flexible and easy to use than basic Web applications, the developers say.

The server application uses the Apache Web server, MySQL Database and PHP. It can run on either Linux or Widows, or other machines that support the “AMP” stack. (CalemEAM is licensed under the Mozilla Public License). The software is available in a free “open source” version, as well as “professional” and “enterprise” versions. (The latter two versions include such features as custom reports, and Oracle9i/10g database support).

Support costs for the professional and enterprise versions are $300 per user per month, and $500 per user per month, respectively. Users can also receive CalemEAM as a hosted service; per-user, monthly charges are $50 for professional and $75 for enterprise.

Find out more about CalemEAM here.