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Software Services Company Solves CD Security Issue
"We had to stop the discs walking away" said Tim Elford, systems administrator for TUSC, an independent software services company, talking about its vital assets.
As a Microsoft MSDN subscriber, TUSC receives monthly updates of Microsoft's software tools on about 15 CDs a month, which are used by TUSC in its day to day operations.
Tim Elford using his Imation Disc Stakkas
Established in 1981, TUSC specialises in infrastructure management solutions for enterprises with mission-critical networks. Its clients are Australia's leading companies including Amcor, HP, Alcatel, Transfield, Lucent, Mercy Hospital, Origin Energy, Telstra, TXU and Yarra Valley Water.
"With so much important information on CD, security of our discs is crucial. However, the issue is as much about storing the discs as well," said Elford.
"Until recently this wasn't managed very well. We had some in their cases on shelves, the really vital ones in a safe, some in folders and others loose in a box.
"While the IT group tried to keep track of where everything was, if you were't there to supervise, discs often went missing.
"Tracking down a missing disc in an office with 65 people is virtually impossible. This process takes just as long as ordering another disc from Microsoft. In each instance it is time consuming and can hinder other projects," he said.
However, all these security and storage problems are history now that TUSC uses the Imation Disc Stakka to manage its ever-growing library of CDs and DVDs.
The Disc Stakka is an automated carousel that holds up to 100 12 cm discs and links to a PC or Apple Mac computer via a single USB connection for both power and data. Units can be stacked up to five high to create a tower that holds up to 500 discs without needing additional cables or desk space. And up to 100 of these towers can be linked using powered USB hubs, allowing up to 50,000 discs to be managed from the one computer.
Disc Stakka is managed by the intuitive OpdiTracker software that features a password protection system, which enables users to control access to each Disc Stakka unit. It also allows users to record the name of the person who borrows a disc.
To further enhance Disc Stakka's functionality, optional OpdiTracker Pro software, which TUSC has installed, provides additional search criteria, password protection for individual discs and advanced reporting capabilities.
"We store all the CDs we need or are likely to need in our three Disc Stakkas," said Elford. "Discs that will rarely be used we don't place in them. As an organisation, our discs are now well managed and people can't get to them unless we let them. It's all password protected and only those of us in IT have the password."
TUSC set up its Disc Stakka system on a stand-alone shared computer that has a scanner and DVD burner on it that employees can use for their projects.
"The other aspect of the disc management system is the OpdiTracker software, which catalogues the content of all our CDs. It acts like a database and search engine and enables us to find any one of our hundreds of install media, software tools, patches or files within a few seconds and then eject the CD on which it is stored.
"We don't need to remember where the disc was stored and when it's returned to the Disc Stakka it can go into any unit: the software keeps track of where the disc and its content is stored.
"Because TUSC operates within the ISO-9001:2000 quality management system, the Disc Stakka system actually enhances our compliance," said Elford.