Candle keeps tabs on apps

Candle Corp. last week unveiled a new version of its ETEWatch product, a

tool designed to help IT managers measure end-to-end response times of applications

for a single user or an entire enterprise.

CandleNet ETEWatch Version 1.3 measures the time it takes an application

transaction to complete a round trip through the network, to the servers

and back to the desktop.

The response time data can be collected and displayed in graphical views

or stored in a database for detailed reports. The data helps federal IT

managers quantify the level of service their customers are getting as well

as identify any pitfalls in the cycle, said Al Duey, director of business

development at Los Angeles-based Candle.

"It gives government the ability to know how end users are using an

application, the levels of service you're getting and [the ability to] pinpoint

any bottlenecks before they become a serious problem," Duey said. "You can

see whether a problem is on the network, in the application or on the client,

and work to prevent major response time delays."

The new product is being piloted in a civilian federal agency, Duey

said, but he could not name the agency because of a confidentiality requirement.

Version 1.3 is available for applications including PeopleSoft, Lotus

Notes, the Citrix MetaFrame server, World Wide Web browser-based applications

and other customized solutions.

The product also supports the TN3270 mainframe protocol. "The TN3270

support allows transaction level [monitoring] for mainframe applications

that many government agencies and nongovernment companies are still using,"

Duey said.

CandleNet ETEWatch Version 1.3 is currently shipping, but won't be available

on the GSA schedule for another few months. The product is priced at $25,000

for 100 users, and the TN3270 options are an additional $25,000. A separate

Customizer utility that enables customers to plug in applications without

writing additional code is also available for $10,000 more.