Open iT

Open iT, Inc. is an independent software vendor that specializes in metering, analyzing, and optimizing usage of critical IT assets. It was founded in 1999 by Eistein Fosli, who obtained his Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Oslo.

Open iT originally started in Oslo, Norway, and has its main offices in Houston (Texas), Oslo (Norway), and Lucena City (Philippines). The company’s main operations are in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Products

Open iT’s products were envisioned to create better IT metering tools, particularly in the area of software license management. The company’s products have now become an established standard for usage metering, competence planning, and cost allocation management.

Open iT software meters and reports on how individuals or groups use applications, servers, storage, databases, and services across an enterprise. Web-based reports document usage and identify when resources have been over- or under-purchased. The generated reports can also be used to assist in planning and auditing IT expenditures.

Modules

The Open iT Software Suite has 6 modules. These are LicenseAnalyzer, LicenseOptimizer, ApplicationTracker, SystemAnalyzer, StorageAnalyzer, and UsageAnalyzer.

LicenseAnalyzer

Open iT LicenseAnalyzer is a software usage metering and optimization tool used for managing software licenses. This module provides an enterprise-wide view of software license usage, allowing companies to align purchases and maintenance with user needs. There are more than 20 license managers that are being supported such as FLEXlm/FlexNet, IBM LUM, Reprise License Manager, LM-X, Sentinel RMS, MathLM, Bentley Select, Dassault Systemés License Server (DSLS), etc. Some of this module’s primary functions include the following:

• builds information about trends and usage patterns across an organization
• meters license usage across an enterprise
• optimizes deployment of expensive license resources
• minimizes the cost of purchasing licenses
• generate license usage reports for chargeback accounting

ApplicationTracker

Open iT ApplicationTracker monitors several applications’ activity levels of Windows, Unix and Linux platforms, enabling comprehensive reporting of active/inactive software usage independent of licensing methods.

Technically, ApplicationTracker is a subset of LicenseOptimizer. It allows users to record an application’s activity conditions without using LicenseOptimizer’s methods for automatic license and application management.

LicenseOptimizer

Open iT LicenseOptimizer monitors several applications’ activity levels on Windows, UNIX, and Linux platforms. Some of this module’s primary functions include the following:

• optimizes license usage by disabling unused applications
• disables and recalls licenses for others to use
• allows a license to be reinstated into the program when a license becomes available

SystemAnalyzer

Open iT SystemAnalyzer is a software module for those who require better control of their software and hardware resources. Some of this module’s primary functions include the following:

• provides necessary computer usage statistics, e.g. what applications are running, how long an application is running, who is running the application (user), and what the application’s host(s) is/are.

StorageAnalyzer

Open iT StorageAnalyzer delivers an overview of disk and backup data so managers can improve data storage management. Some of this module’s primary functions include the following:

• provides valuable information about disk usage
• shows how full each device is
• delivers storage trend reports
• plans storage management
• enables the accounting of NetApp files’ setup and use of quotas

UsageAnalyzer

Open iT UsageAnalyzer tracks each user’s keyboard and mouse activities enabling personalized user training. Some of this module’s primary functions include the following:

• collects data on keyboard and mouse activities
• provides information on whether an application is really being used or just kept open
• helps analyze an application based on its User Interface components

Development

Open iT Software Suite supports almost all Windows and UNIX platforms. These include but are not limited to AIX (Advanced Interactive eXecutive), Solaris, HP-UX, Linux, Windows 7, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, and Windows 8. LicenseAnalyzer also runs on Windows Phone and Android (operating system).

Supported License Managers

Open iT Software Suite supports several License Managers. These include Abaqus License Manager, Animator, Altair License Manager, Beta License Manager, Bentley® SELECT, Clearcase, Dassault's Systemes License Server (DSLS), Elan, Enterprise Architect LM, GHSlm (Green Hills), FlexNet (FLEXlm), HQMS, IBM-LUM, LM-X, LS-DYNA, MathLM, Aladdin Hardlock, Parasoft License Manager, Peloton, Reprise (RLM), Safenet Sentinel, Sentinel RMS, Slick Edit, SmartPlant, STI License Manager, Vector and other license manager can be added on request.

Clients

Most of Open iT’s customers are listed Fortune Global 500 companies. These include Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, BHP Billiton, Cairn Energy, Cenovus Energy, ConocoPhillips, Ecopetrol, EP Energy, Freeport - McMoRan, Landmark Graphics Corporation/Halliburton, Maersk Oil and Gas, Marathon Oil Corporation, Murphy Oil Corporation, Newfield, Nexen, Pemex, Pluspetrol, Shell, Statoil, TNK – BP, Woodside, Avio, Lockheed Martin/US Army ARL, Oshkosh, UTC Goodrich, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Autoliv, Calsonic Kansei, Mazda Motor Corporation, Elpida Memory, Inc. and Seagate,

See also

• License manager
• Software licensing audit
• Software asset management
• IT asset management
• IT Chargeback and Showback

References

• Hoffman, T (2006). "Squeezing Dollars from Maintenance", http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/171131/squeezing_dollars_from_maintenance/?pp=3
• Kristiansen, T (2010)."Lean and Green IT", http://www.itassetmanagement.net/2010/05/06/lean-green/
• Kristiansen, T (2010)."Six Strategies for Sustainable IT", http://www.itassetmanagement.net/2010/11/18/strategies-sustainable-it/

External links

• Open iT Official Website