Sitara, Apogee Partner For IP Cost Control

LAS VEGAS—Apogee Networks and Sitara Networks Inc. demonstrated a new, jointly-developed technology that will help IT organizations charge users back for IP and Internet usage.

Sitara, which makes IP quality of service (QoS) software that tracks bandwidth utilization and performance, has linked its applications to Apogee's NetCountant, which lets IT departments track Internet usage and "bill" users or corporate departments for their IP network use.

The integrated software, which went on display yesterday at the N+I show here, will help IT departments prioritize traffic and ensure that bandwidth is being used efficiently, the partners said.

By linking the two applications, IT departments should be able to establish and monitor service levels and costs for specific Web-based applications, according to Bob Steingart, vice president of strategic alliances at Sitara.

"Customers can turn the granular network information we provide into usage-based bills, and set policies to prioritize business-critical traffic," he said.