CA brings PC World Business’ Virtual IT Manager to life

There’s a brand new nation-wide remote IT infrastructure management service for SMEs, whatever they’re into. PC World Business, the PC retailer’s growing business arm, is now offering industrial strength network support via the web, local PC stores and on-site engineering services. The company has entered an arrangement with IT management software firm Computer Associates (CA) for its new Virtual IT Manager service, which brings a useful subset of its IT support technology to SMEs. It’s an interesting departure for CA which usually sells its IT infrastructure support wares and services to large, multi-national organisations via the likes of Fujitsu, Cap Gemini, EDS and Sema. PC World’s VITM is founded on the premise that most SMEs do not have, and cannot afford, dedicated IT managers. It’s designed to monitor their computer networks remotely, using software ‘agents’ that sit on the local server and feed back health reports to the firm’s secure Network Operations Centre at Waterfold Park in Bury, Manchester. Included is IT trouble shooting, up-to-the-minute anti-virus protection, identity management and a level of overall network asset management. PC World Business has a UK-wide network of technicians through the Dixons parent company, and the promise is problem solving that’s “quick [and] without the cost or wait that on-site visits from technical engineers usually require.” CA offerings in use here include its eTrust security solutions and Unicenter, its core network and systems management solution running on Windows. Also coming during the this year will also be database management, application management, remote back-up and restore facilities and business security and continuity cover. Says Richard Millman, marketing director at PC World Business: “By working in partnership with CA, we’re able to offer SMEs world-leading technology at an affordable price.” VITM is being sold on a per seat subscription basis and you can get an instant quote from www.pcwb.com/vitm/ “This is very new for the SME marketplace,” comments John Gordon, CA’s business development manager. And he suggests that manufacturers will find the service particularly compelling. “IT is a real differentiator in the SME market, where competition can be fierce,” says. “VITM gives SMEs a technological edge that can boost the bottom line and help them stay ahead of the competition.”