NetWhyz network auditing tool

NetWhyz is an auditing  software tool that is easy to install, simple to use, has powerful, flexible reporting, is robust and scalable, and is cost effective. How NetWhyz works is simple. A small agent is deployed to each computer and each time the computer starts up, the agent runs NetWhyz Interrogator locally, scanning for hardware, software, and environment data. The scan is rapid and silent, and requires no user intervention. Data files for each scanned computer are returned to a server and are automatically imported into a  NetWhyz database. (free-to distribute Microsoft Data Engine or Microsoft SQL Server 2000).  Information on the PC’s and servers is then accessed via the NetWhyz Admin Console.  NetWhyz is designed for TCP/IP networks including Windows NT/2000, Novell and Unix, and for client workstations running Windows 95B, 98, NT, ME, 2000 or XP. NetWhyz runs across both LAN’s and WAN’s and the effect on network traffic is minimal. A key feature of NetWhyz is the software scan. Most competitive products scans for *.exe, *.com and *.dll files, and then compares the file names against a database to recognize software. The  disadvantages of this are its dependency on vendors for upgrades of the software database and since scans can take up to 10 minutes, the practical frequency at which scans can be done is monthly. NetWhyz is different; NetWhyz scans for all Windows registered software, reducing the scan to less than a second locally. Clients have no dependency for software definitions, and software scans can be done on a daily basis. All hardware, software and environment changes to any computer are logged and presented under Alerts, which allows the Network Administrator to keep track of authorized and unauthorized changes, including illegally loaded software and theft of hardware components. Probably the most impressive feature of NetWhyz is the reporting. NetWhyz has no pre-defined reports but instead has a powerful, highly flexible report writer which outputs the report directly into Microsoft Excel with no importing, or exporting of text files. The unique feature of outputting to Microsoft Excel allows users to format and graph data for reports and presentations.

Key features of NetWhyz
• Keeps an up-to-date inventory of hardware, software, and environment of servers and PC’s
• Compatible with Windows 95/98/NT/ME/2000/XP/2003
• Microsoft SQL Server database or free-to-distribute MSDE database
• Audits computers on Local Area, Wide Area and P2P Networks (TCP/IP). Also standalones.
• Easy to deploy. Agent can be “pushed” from one central point to 2000/XP/2003 computers.
• Sniffer utility ensures all servers and PC’s are in NetWhyz database
• Scans are automatic, rapid & silent and require no user intervention.
• Create minimal network traffic
• Scans all Windows registered software. No frequent vendor upgrades of software definitions.
• On-demand remote scanning of PC’s for real-time information
• All changes to PC’s are recorded to give a complete cradle-to-grave history of computers
• History is transferable if the computer name changes
• Windows Explorer type interface and is easy to navigate
• Computers can be arranged into Locations for easy viewing.
• Locations can be assigned manually or automatically based on IP address.
• Reporting is highly flexible - no predefined reports.
• Report output is directly to Microsoft Excel allowing users to customize formats, graph data etc.
• Reports can be saved as Excel templates
• Database Query report to find all PC’s matching hardware, software or environment criteria
• Alerts to advise of hardware, software or environment changes to PC’s
• Wildcard file searches on networked PC’s.
• Detailed scans for com, dll and exe file details
• Easy integration to 3rd party helpdesks such as HEAT, REMEDY etc.
• Manages software licencing

Benefits of NetWhyz
• Saves Time - Support staff don’t have to walk around to collect PC information
  - Fixed Asset Register automatically maintained for IT
• Improves Efficiency
  - Immediate access to up-to date information
  - Isolate hardware, software and network problems
  - Accelerate problem resolution
  - Standardize PC configuration to reduce maintenance
  - Manage PC upgrades and rollouts
• Adds Value - Monitor theft of easy-to-remove hardware components
  - Alerts to computer changes
  - Manage legal compliance of software licensing
  - Provide comprehensive schedules for insurance purposes

NetWhyz version 2 has just been released. The major feature of the new release is the functionality to  push” the Agent onto networked Windows 2000 and XP machines directly from the Admin Console. This enhances the existing methods of login scripts, e-mail and manual execution, and significantly reduces overall deployment time. Another deployment feature of NetWhyz version 2 is the Network Detector which regularly checks the network for live PC’s and servers. An Excel exception report lists all those PC’s / Servers that are found but which are not yet in the NetWhyz database. This helps to manage the deployment, significantly speeding up the process and ensuring that all machines are included. A  standalone PC’s version allows information from non-networked PC’s to also be included in the database. Other new functionality available in NetWhyz version 2, includes saving reports as templates, wildcard file search and auto allocation of PC location based on IP address. NetWhyz has also been positioned more aggressively as audit software for compliance reporting and negotiations are in progress with several major IT companies and Accounting practices to exclusively use NetWhyz for network auditing. The new software licence management functionality allows companies to closely control their software compliance. NetWhyz can also be integrated with third party helpdesks such as HEAT, Remedy etc, to populate the helpdesk fields with information on hardware and software.