Software - Afaria - More information - Spirit Data Capture Ltd

Data and Content Management

Afaria updates file-based information from any source and format, including HTML, database files, documents and other electronic content

Application Services

Afaria adds significant management capabilities to third party or custom applications by enabling updates to be delivered using wireless networks
Both Afaria server and client functionality can be fully extended and integrated into applications via published APIs

Document and Content Distribution

Document files are securely delivered to frontline users using a forced or subscription model, and out of date documents are automatically replaced Document owners have control over content, enabling easy addition, deletion and updating

Process Automation

With Afaria, important tasks can be personalised and automated to make them faster and easier for the IT administrator.

Wizard-driven point-and-click scripting allows infinitely customisable activities on server or client systems
File transfer or process sessions can be scheduled or initiated manually (by server or client)
Scripting delivers numerous possibilities: file transfers, hard disk checks and changes, configuration changes, and even logic processes for complex tasking (e.g. 'if-then' clauses)

Connection Management

Afaria uses an intelligent architecture design which helps users to make the best decisions about which tools to use when managing a frontline deployment.
Connection management functions are fully deployable over-the-air, eliminating the need for remote devices to be manually configured by IT personnel.

Scheduling and Prioritisation

System administrators control the content, timing, parameters and method of communication
Comprehensive scheduling enables the completion of work at the most efficient times
The prioritisation of different tasks ensures the rapid completion of the most important activities
Tuning of the communications protocol and optimisation of package profiles maximises efficiency from different network types

Device Monitoring

Afaria reacts to changes in the state of a device and can trigger connections, logging or local processes when key characteristics change
Back-up for a device when the battery level drops below a critical level
Monitor and/or enforce application installation and usage policies through logging and reporting capabilities
Log when confidential files on mobile devices are written to external cards or sent to other devices

Bandwidth Optimisation

Comprehensive bandwidth management supports applications across all network types
On-the-fly data compression, checkpoint restart, file segmentation, file-level and byte-level differencing minimise the data volume for both large and small transfers
Dynamic bandwidth throttling releases bandwidth to other applications when activity levels increase and then reclaims bandwidth when other applications grow idle

System Management Extensions

Within the confines of headquarters, systems management is a routine task. However this task becomes complicated with remote devices, as these are not always connected to the network
Afaria simplifies these routine management tasks by allowing automatically scheduled polling of devices to ensure that they comply with corporate policies

Configuration Management

Central control of most frontline device configurations
Administrators maintain the desired software and hardware settings across groups of systems, including device identification, network settings, connection profiles, regional settings and alerts
Settings are checked against centrally defined configurations and reset when appropriate

Support for Microsoft SMS

Afaria is Microsoft .Net-based and can be integrated with SMS 2003 to expand the range of devices that can be managed from the SMS console. Afaria can be used to manage all of the latest Windows platforms, as well as to extend the management of other existing mobile operating systems:

RIM BlackBerry devices
Palm handhelds
Symbian smart phones
Windows Mobile-based smart phones

Software and Inventory Management

Afaria provides visibility of frontline devices to show exactly what devices are deployed, where they are located and what software is installed
This enables IT personnel to manage and control the remote device inventory and software distribution

Inventory and Asset Control

Administrators can perform comprehensive inventory scans of hardware and software
Changes to hardware and software are automatically detected, generating alerts for review and action
Help desk personnel have access to asset information for rapid issue resolution

Remote Control

Systems are remotely controlled for fault diagnosis and correction

License Control

Administrators track the installation and usage of software licenses against those purchased
Detailed reports include information about the last time an application was accessed

Software Distribution

Afaria enables the electronic distribution, installation and maintenance of applications
Central administration controls software installations, including version management, rollback and criteria checking
Afaria enables automatic software maintenance and 'snapshot' installation, using efficient byte-level differencing

Frontline device support

Afaria supports a wide variety of client types that can be managed from a single, web-based console.

Support for Win32 laptops, Windows Pocket PC and smart phones devices, Palm handhelds, Symbian smart phones, RIM BlackBerry devices and many point-of-sale systems

Architecture

The Afaria server delivers enterprise performance with minimal maintenance and cost, whilst seamlessly integrating into the IT infrastructure.

Seamless integration with SQL Anywhere database from iAnywhere, providing the convenience of a single vendor solution
Provides integration with key directory technologies, such as NT and LDAP-compatible directories
Will run on Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle
A web-based console supports Microsoft .NET technologies, allowing system administration and control of business and IT information
A broad range of connectivity options are supported (such as TCP/IP over wireless or wired connections, dial-up remote access connections (RAS),WAN, and high-speed LAN connections)
HTTP and HTTPS are also supported to allow users to connect over the Internet and to have a secure access point through corporate firewalls
The Afaria server runs on Windows Server 2003 Standard or Enterprise with service pack, or Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server with Service Pack 4

Afaria - More information