Computer Lab Solutions Launches LabStats 3.0
Statistical software ends the guessing game for IT managers needing to monitor use and productivity of computer labs
FARMINGTON, Utah. - September 15, 2005 - Computer Lab Solutions today announced the availability of LabStats version 3.0, a software solution that allows IT managers at universities, libraries, and other institutions to produce accurate and timely data concerning computer lab usage, effectiveness, and upgrade needs.
LabStats 3.0 uses lightweight client agents and a single server that stores data in a streamlined database and then generates reports on computer usage in lab environments. It provides a state-of-the-art solution that presents highly usable data in real time to assist administers in obtaining and allocating funds, staffing and scheduling labs, planning for future needs and providing service and support.
"LabStats gives IT managers and lab administrators the information they need to make informed decisions about the effectiveness of their computer labs and how best to optimize scarce IT dollars," said Christian Hayes, president of Computer Lab Solutions. "Before LabStats became available, lab managers were left to make rough estimates concerning usage based on their own observations or using homemade tracking solutions with limited functionality. Now, wasting money on unneeded updates and inefficiently using resources is a thing of the past."
LabStats is easily installed and operated by downloading the server software installer and then installing client agents to lab workstations. Once a lab has been defined using Computer Lab Solutions' Web-based administration portal, server agents can use data generated by LabStats to record snapshots of usage per computer or lab. Once data snapshots are stored, administrators can then view real-time graphs in a Web browser and even display them on their organization's Web site in order to help users save time by showing them how full a lab may or may not be.
Version 3.0 introduces an exciting new module, UserTracker, which logs all login and logout activity for every user and every computer. Using this information, LabStats can produce reports based on total logins, unique logins and average login duration. Administrators can also view the entire login history for a user or computer and can even see a list of every user that has logged in.
"We were using a homemade system to record computer lab usage because we really needed the numbers to get our budget and justify our purchases," said James Loveland, a network systems administrator for Southern Utah University, a client of Computer Lab Solutions. "It was a lot of work to keep it running. We switched to LabStats and haven't looked back since. It gives us the information we need, and it's so much easier to use."
To install LabStats 3.0, a minimum purchase of 50 client licenses must be made at a cost of $4 per computer, in addition to the $399 base server cost. Discounts can be arranged for large volume purchases. Additionally, a maintenance contract may be purchased at 25 percent of the original cost, providing free telephone and email customer support beyond the first 30 days of purchase and free version upgrades.
LabStats 3.0 server is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, and 2003 Server, with clients for Mac, Windows, and Linux. Further information on pricing, ordering and availability can be found online at www.computerlabsolutions.com, by calling 801-859-1429 or via email at info@computerlabsolutions.com.
About Computer Lab Solutions
The Computer Lab Solutions team draws on more than 15 years of combined experience working in college and university IT departments to produce effective usage tracking software for universities and other organizations with many computer labs. Headquartered in Farmington, Utah, Computer Lab Solutions is committed to providing IT managers with the most up-to-date information to help them make the best use of their resources.