Provisioning tool eases network management

Brand-Rex has announced a major enhancement to its real-time physical layer management system, Smartpatch, with the launch of a fully integrated, automated provisioning tool

By simplifying routine network maintenance, Smartpatch's provisioning tool set will reduce avoidable errors and offer significant increases in the efficiency of IT service delivery, according to the company. Designed to significantly improve the planning and provisioning processes undertaken by network technicians within datacentres and work space environments, Brand-Rex's Smartpatch automated provisioning tool provides users with a range of facilities that automate and speed deployment and reduce the amount of time spent on planning and implementing MAC (moves adds and changes) tasks.
Greater acceptance and awareness of the importance of 100% availability of IT services has already led to the introduction of best practice standards for IT Service Management.

Setting the benchmark in service management is ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) which has been adopted as the basis for ISO20000, recently published as the global standard for IT Service Management.

Smartpatch uses a combination of web-based software and intelligent hardware, which allows Infrastructure managers to maintain an accurate, real-time connectivity database of all active network equipment and physical layer components.

The system is designed to bring a traditionally inert network infrastructure under control and align it to other processes within the IT function, bringing an unprecedented level of visibility of network assets, how they are connected together and where they are physically located.

'Smartpatch is already one of the industry's leading intelligent, real-time, physical-layer infrastructure management systems', commented Brand-Rex Marketing and Business Director Ian Wilkie.
The system's new provisioning facilities add further weight to the already-compelling argument for a fully integrated approach to network infrastructure management and will prove a significant asset for businesses in achieving the new ISO20000 IT service management standard', he added.

Fully supporting the provisioning of data and voice services on both copper and fibre networks, Smartpatch's Automated Provisioning Tool can calculate and produce Automated Work Orders in compliance with policies specifying services, privileges and media type, together with the rules for their management.

Simple drag-and-drop/point-and-click functionality to move/add/change/swap/remove any device, devices, user, workspace or group of workspaces, automatically creates a work order which can then be followed through using the simplified and highly visual physical management processes featured within Smartpatch.

Brand-Rex's provisioning tool also includes a versatile user-friendly operating method that enables quick and easy access via the Smartpatch GUI.

The provisioning tool can also be integrated with external applications using the Smartpatch Software Developers Kit (SDK) to provide an integrated provisioning process across multiple systems.

Typical integrations could include systems such as network management, asset management, help-desk and security.