Technology Briefs

Computerworld - Smoothstone Unveils Managed Service

Smoothstone IP Communications Corp. has announced a managed IP communications service for businesses with up to 1,000 workers. The average cost for the service is $45 per user per month. Smoothstone has about 200 customers and has been in operation since 2000.
3Com Launches V6000 IP Hardware

3Com Corp. has rolled out the V6000 Integrated Branch Communications hardware, which is designed to run with its VCX IP Telephony Release 7.0 software. The V6000 serves up to 100 users and is intended for branch offices. Available now, the V6000 is priced at $3,500. A VCX IP software license sells for $1,000.
Compuware Tool For ASP.Net Debuts

Compuware Corp. has released a version of its security analysis tool that includes integration with Microsoft Visual Studio 2005. DevPartner SecurityChecker 2.0 is designed to help development and testing teams locate and fix security problems earlier in the ASP.Net Web application life cycle. The tool uses code scanning, runtime analysis and penetration techniques. It is available now; pricing starts at $12,000 per concurrent user.
IBM Upgrades Data Protection for Files

IBM last week introduced a major upgrade to its Continuous Data Protection for Files software. The new version offers increased subfile backup for Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes files and tools to simplify management. IBM said the software senses which portions of e-mail files change and moves only the modified pieces for backup, reducing network bandwidth requirements. IBM Tivoli Continuous Data Protection for Files 2.1.2 is available now and sells for $35 per laptop or desktop and $995 per server processor.