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Scorecard and NetResults: Software metering applications

KeyServer is tops among six software metering programs that tackle similar tasks in different ways.

Network World, 08/09/99

Scorecard

	Enter- prise sup- port 30%	App. control 15%	Managa- bility 15%	Client sup. 15%	Report- ing 15%	T O T A L
Sassafras Key- Server 5.0	8 x 0.3 = 2.4	8 x .15 = 1.2	8 x .15 = 1.2	8 x .15 = 1.2	7 x .15 = 1.05	7.05
WRQ Express Software Mgr. 4.5	7 x .3 = 2.1	8 x .15 = 1.2	8 x .15 = 1.2	7 x .15 = 1.05	9 x .15 = 1.35	6.9
Elron SofTrack 5.0	8 x 0.3 = 2.4	7 x .15 = 1.05	7 x .15 = 1.05	7 x .15 = 1.05	6 x .15 = 0.9	6.45
Tally Centa- Meter 2.90a	7 x .3 = 2.1	7 x .15 = 1.05	8 x .15 = 1.2	7 x .15 = 1.05	7 x .15 = 1.05	6.45
Funk App- Meter II 2.1ABC LAN Li-	7 x .3 = 2.1	7 x .15 = 1.05	7 x .15 = 1.05	7 x .15 = 1.05	8 x .15 = 1.2	6.45
ABC LAN Li-	6 x .3 = 1.8	7 x .15 = 1.05	7 x .15 = 1.05	6 x .15 = 0.9	8 x .15 = 1.2	6

NetResults

KeyServer 5.0
Sassafras Software
(603) 643-3351
Web site
Pricing ranges from $30 to $57 per client
Pros: Strong client, server support; Strong application control; Easy installation
Cons: Slim selection of standard reports; Few report export options

Express Software Manager 4.5
WRQ
(800) 872-2829 or (206) 217-7100
Web site
Pricing ranges from $11 to $15 per client
Pros: Comprehensive selection of standard reports; Large library of recognized applications; Good management interface
Cons: No NetWare support; Lacks directory integration with current products

SofTrack Software Metering 5.0
Elron Software
(800) 767-6683
Web site
Pricing ranges from $995 for 25 users to $7,495 for 1,000 users
Pros: Strong client, server support; Well-integrated with NDS
Cons: Minor installation problems; Poor report export options

CentaMeter 2.90a
Tally Systems
(603) 643-1300
Web site
Pricing ranges from $10 to $15 per client
Pros: Strong management tools; Easy installation; Strong report export options
Cons: Client, server support could be improved

AppMeter II 2.1
Funk Software
http://Web site
Pricing ranges from $695 for 25 users to $4,495 for 500 users
Pros: Crystal Reports module adds reporting flexibility; Well-integrated with NDS; Strong management tools
Cons: Minor installation problems

Lan Licenser 3.11
ABC Systems and Development
(781) 270-0699
Web site
Pricing ranges from $15 to $27 per client plus 30% of end-user prices for optional Lan Licenser Enterprise Manager module
Pros: Good application, suite control
Well-integrated with SMS; Good selection of standard reports and good export options
Cons: Rough installation; Weak support for Windows 95 and 98 clients; Minimal NetWare support

Client and server support and report export options

Server support Client support Report export options

Sassafras Software�s KeyServer 5.0 Macintosh OS 7 and above
Macintosh OSX
Windows 95/98/NT
NetWare 3.X and
Linux Windows 3.x/95/98/NT
Macintosh OS 7 and above Text
Tab- delimited text

WRQ�s Express Software Manager 4.5 Windows NT Server DOS 4.0 and above
Windows 3.x/95/98/NT Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft SQL Server
HTML

Elron Software�s SofTrack Software Metering 5.0
Windows NT Server 4.0
NetWare 3.x, 4.x, and 5.x
DOS 3.0 and above
Windows 3.0 and above
Macintosh 6.0.3 and above
OS/2 2.0 and above Text
Comma-delimited text

Tally Systems� CentaMeter 2.90a Windows NT Server
NetWare 3.x and above
Banyan VINES
IBM LAN Server
Microsoft LAN Manager DOS 5.x and above
Windows 3.1x and above Text
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Lotus 123
Rich Text Format.
Crystal Reports
Data Interchange Format
HTML

Funk Software�s AppMeter II 2.1 Windows NT 3.51 and above NetWare 3.12 and above
DOS with NetWare servers
Windows 3.1x and above Text
Comma-delimited text
dBASE

ABC Systems� Lan Licenser 3.11 Windows NT 4.0 Windows 3.11 and above Text
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Lotus 123
Rich Text Format