Software Quarterly

ESD's Bright Future


As the requirements of networks, platforms, and even software advance, the capabilities of Electronic Software Distribution will improve to meet them. ESD will also be enhanced to better support new computing paradigms, such as laptop computers used by traveling marketing reps. And that's just for starters.

The future also includes object-oriented ESD software, according to John Byzek, director of systems management development at IBM. It will provide greater flexibility in managing software across different platforms. "There'll be a standard way to define software objects, so you won't have to worry about anomalies across the network," says Byzek. "Once software and data are defined as objects, it'll be much easier to track and manage them, no matter where they reside."

A Dollar Saved

Object-oriented technologies will also bring closer integration of system management tools and improve software license management, according to Rodolfo Ambrosetti, a manager in IBM's Rome software development lab. "If companies can get a clearer picture of what software they're using, they can better control their costs by paying for only what they use."

Even though future ESD offerings will have more features, there are still payoffs from implementing current ESD software.

"The paybacks are typically so great -- and there is so little downside exposure to these tools -- that it doesn't make sense to defer the short-term benefits by waiting for the 'ultimate' strategic offering," says Igor Stenmark, an analyst at the Gartner Group.

See also:

How to Pick the ESD Software You Need

Taking ESD to a New Level

Tips for Succeeding With ESD

NetView Distribution Manager


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