Layton Technology this week upgraded its desktop auditing software with features to make it possible for network managers to scan assets on the fly.

AuditWizard 6.3 can now enable on-demand audits of IT assets, rather than network managers having to depend upon scheduled PC data updates. The software distributes a small application to each desktop that collects hardware, software and Internet usage data from the machine. AuditWizard has a central database to which each managed machine sends updated information. This latest release from Layton will let network managers get updated information when they need it.

"With this new feature, network managers don't have to rely on the scheduled scans to update the data," says Robert Ward, president and CEO.

A module notifies PC administrators of software and hardware changes, as well as Internet activity on all or selected PCs. For instance, administrators could use this feature to determine if PC users are dabbling with restricted peer-to-peer applications and give the administrators the data they need to prevent the unauthorized behavior. The software can also audit mobile and removable devices such as PDAs, Blackberries, Smartphones, USB devices and more.

Layton Technology competes with Altiris, LANDesk and Microsoft. A typical Layton customer tends to have between 3,500 and 5,000 PCs, Ward says.

AuditWizard 6.3 is available now, and pricing starts at about US$300 for 50 PCs, which includes 60 days of e-mail and phone support, and any updates that are released.