Network configuration management vendor Intelliden has launched version 4.4 of its R-series software to help large enterprises and service providers perform network change, configuration and service activation more automatically and efficiently.

The software is aimed primarily at service providers but would also suit very large firms with complex networks, running multiple brands of kit and multiple types of operating system on servers and desktops.

“More and more services are being run across these networks, so we’re saving firm’s time by helping new users or new branches and new services to be provisioned faster – all these organisations are looking to automate what is normally a manual process,” said Intelliden chief executive Alan Black.

The new software runs on Linux, Windows and Solaris, usually across clustered hardware and is “hugely scalable and designed from the outset to be used in distributed systems”, said Intelliden.

Nigel Oakley, European marketing vice-president for Intelliden, said, “Our software reduces the need for firms to be in a completely reactive mode with respect to network changes.”

Oakley added that Intelliden’s software can integrate “horizontally” with other enterprise applications, such as HP’s OpenView management software.

Industry observers agree that firms will want better configuration management tools as they deploy more bandwidth-hungry services across networks, such as converged data, voice and video systems, web services, IP VPNs, and on-demand computing.