Now manufacturing-systems engineers, who aren't IT pros, can use TriActive to track problems with their LAN workstations and PCs through the helpdesk function. "If someone on the manufacturing floor has a problem with the equipment, he or she just submits a trouble ticket, and the problem goes to an IT person," DeLuca says.
Just how safe is an ASP hosting your configuration-management applications? DeLuca says the only real security risk is a black-hat attacker pilfering IP addresses through the host site, but such a breach is unlikely. "We reviewed TriActive's architecture and are comfortable it doesn't compromise our security policies," he says.
Cookson is already finding new uses for the service. Currently, a user can submit a trouble ticket to request a new cell phone or laptop, for instance, using TriActive's task application--but the request then must go offline for management approval. "We're looking for workflow to get wrapped around it," DeLuca says. That way, the request could get approval electronically, and the purchase would then be routed to the appropriate purchasing agent.
And that's only the beginning. "The big benefit would also be in approving user access to our ERP or mail systems" through TriActive, DeLuca says.
Next, DeLuca hopes to make use of TriActive's server monitors feature, which the division has not yet activated. Aside from monitoring server software and hardware status and collecting asset information--such as CPU model, RAM and disk space, and installed software--TriActive can be configured to monitor server CPU utilization, disk space and RAM availability in real time. "We need to turn on those services for all our servers," DeLuca says. "We've made only limited use of [them] so far."
