Some LAN vendors, such as Novell and Microsoft, offer direct interfaces between their local management systems and the SNMP-based platform. Yet because of limitations in their tools, many operators spend too much of their time unproductively. A key requirement for large-scale enterprise management platforms is to improve ease of use and automation while reducing reliance on highly skilled operators. As mentioned previously, one means of increasing ease of use is the move to Windows NT as a primary operating system for enterprise management platforms. In these organizations, a platform based on NT may provide a better solution.
Automation is another critical feature in enterprise management systems.
If the system can be taught to remember and repeat the actions of the skilled operator, it is likely that the organization will reduce its need for skilled personnel and allow the trained operator to focus on problems that require special attention. IBM and its recently-acquired Tivoli subsidiary are looking into this type of technology as well. For large organizations, the first requirement in a management platform is scalability. The system must not only be able to manage large numbers of network nodes, but it must also be capable of collecting data on attached systems, peripherals and applications. This scalability usually means that the platform must provide distributed capabilities that enable the user to disperse management functions across multiple workstations across the enterprise.