Compuware has updated the IT governance suite it acquired a year ago from business process automation firm Changepoint. The new version has enhanced project portfolio management functionality and tighter integration with Compuware's application management products.
Compuware's Lori Ellsworth said Changepoint 10 is an "umbrella product" for the vendor's portfolio, allowing it to inte- grate functionality from its other product lines to help IT managers better measure the business impact of IT projects.
In particular, the new version boasts enhanced integration with Compuware Application Reliability Solution (Cars) and its Vantage application performance monitoring suite.
Ellsworth said the integration of application management tools with Changepoint will help IT managers to minimise disruption to business by predicting the impact of IT projects on applications. "Executives can ensure resources and staff are in place to keep the application environment stable during IT projects," she added.
Improvements made to Changepoint's dashboard and workflow functionality will also help IT managers to better monitor the interdependence of a portfolio of projects and tasks, and provide information on the availability of staff and resources. Managers should find it easier to recognise tasks on which other projects depend and assign staff to tackle those areas first.
Experts said interest in portfolio management tools is being encouraged by the need for IT departments to meet regulatory requirements.
"Legislation like the Freedom of Information Act means firms have to be able to expose everything in their organisation ? and portfolio management solutions are one way of achieving that," said Mike Thompson of analyst firm Butler Group.
