'Next Generation Securus'

[Edu-IT]

Got this through to today. Might be worth a look at BETT.

Announcing Securus ‘Next Generation’

· From February 2010, we are introducing a new product called Securus ‘Next Generation’ (Securus NG). Eventually, this product will replace all existing versions of Securus.

 

· ‘Next Generation’ offers the existing functionality of Securus combined with a new layout, extra reporting tools and enhanced alerting functions. It will also enable us to develop new tools much more quickly, which will benefit our customers in the future.

Introducing-Securus-NG.pdf

[mjs_mjs]

Sounds interesting, but i wonder it it'll run on any old box i can find rather than their £800 pc.

[matt40k]

I'm not a fan of Securus, so this is just going to be a moan.

 

Why can't you import the old logs?

 

Why can't the ruddy thing run as a VMWARE image or such?

 

Why are you locked into there hardware (current hardware is embedded\desktop grade NOT server)?

 

[mjs_mjs]

I'm not a fan of Securus, so this is just going to be a moan.

 

Why can't you import the old logs?

 

Why can't the ruddy thing run as a VMWARE image or such?

 

Why are you locked into there hardware (current hardware is embedded\desktop grade NOT server)?

 

 

i agree.

[Edu-IT]

Sounds interesting, but i wonder it it'll run on any old box i can find rather than their £800 pc.

Indeed, very pricey. Will hopefully see what all the cost is for at BETT or take up their webinar offer.

[Willott]

Considering we only bought Securus 3 months ago at most, and there was no mention of this update/upgrade I'm a little annoyed by the Next Generation that requires yet more expenditure... going to have a word with the sales guy I think!

[Hawkeyez]

I like the "its a free upgrade, however you need a new server..." so its not really free then is it...

 

Gary

[mjs_mjs]

I like the "its a free upgrade, however you need a new server..." so its not really free then is it...

 

Gary

 

Not unless they are releasing a version that i can run in a virtual enviroment, then it would make sence. our securus server (the racked version) looks as if it's built on some high powered router, the mobo has 4 network sockets with possible 12 (not on securus tho) 900MHz processor (i think), serial on front... take away the securus and it's router hardware (i would say - have no technical knowledge to back this tho).

[matt40k]

I'm sure I saw a company offering the same thing, only it was a Windows-y application that used IIS so you could install it on any old hardware, unlike Securus what runs on there "own" OS on there own "lovely" hardware. Was it from the people who made ranger??

[tom_newton]

I have it on reasonable authority that "new" Securus will solve a number of these gripes.

[dgsmith]

Considering we only bought Securus 3 months ago at most, and there was no mention of this update/upgrade I'm a little annoyed by the Next Generation that requires yet more expenditure... going to have a word with the sales guy I think!

 

Same here - had it less than 12 months and there was no mention that a new version was in development that would require cost. £800 is alot for our school and I think saying "it's free, BUT.. (it isn't really!)" isn't very good! If you MUST buy new hardware, it isn't free, so don't even mention the word.

[matt40k]

I have it on reasonable authority that "new" Securus will solve a number of these gripes.

 

I wish that means they're doing another Dansguardian (and joining Smoothwall).

[round2it]

something else to worry about dont think i will be buying the support this year anyone know of a good alternative.

 

Free upgrade I had to laugh at that one.

 

but we have had it for 5 years now how about a bit of loyalty to us customers give us the server dont be cheeky you make a fortune out of us for support/maintainance year after year.

[Jonehall]

Hello Everyone I woukd just like to introduce myself, my name is Jon and I work for Securus for my sins.

I thought it prudent to respond to some of your comments.

 

1. Customers who have existing Securus will be supported until Jan 2013 so it's not a mandatory upgrade.

2. There is going to be a VM version of Next Generation but there is a minimum spec for hardware.

3. The reason old logs can not be imported is because they are completely different operating systems.

4. Releasing any new product is going to upset sombody because they have just bought the earlier version and unfortunately that's the same with anything , mobile phones etc.

 

If you feel really aggrieved then contact your sales person or even myself to discuss and we will see what can be done.

 

I am always happy to discuss Securus with anyone.

 

Kind Regards

 

Jon

[Soulfish]

Hello Everyone I woukd just like to introduce myself, my name is Jon and I work for Securus for my sins.

I thought it prudent to respond to some of your comments.

 

1. Customers who have existing Securus will be supported until Jan 2013 so it's not a mandatory upgrade.

2. There is going to be a VM version of Next Generation but there is a minimum spec for hardware.

3. The reason old logs can not be imported is because they are completely different operating systems.

4. Releasing any new product is going to upset sombody because they have just bought the earlier version and unfortunately that's the same with anything , mobile phones etc.

 

If you feel really aggrieved then contact your sales person or even myself to discuss and we will see what can be done.

 

I am always happy to discuss Securus with anyone.

 

Kind Regards

 

Jon

 

I had a demo of the NG Securus product from Bill at Bett, and as an existing customer I did like it. Unfortunately we just don't have the budget this year (or next I suspect) to get the new server unit. For existing customers with support contracts is their a cost for the VM version? We've already got a fully virtualised server environment (one reason why there's no budget ) so would have no problems running it, and I was told the additional cost was because of the new server unit.

 

Any info on the VM version would be great

[Willott]

When I asked, there is a cost for the VM version, if I remember correctly, £500 (so not much cheaper than the hardware version, even though you'll be providing the tin).

[Soulfish]

When I asked, there is a cost for the VM version, if I remember correctly, £500 (so not much cheaper than the hardware version, even though you'll be providing the tin).

 

Hmmm I'd have to question just what our support contract is giving us if the VM version is going to cost that much! I'd also have to question why we were initially told the upgrade cost was for the new server if the VM version is also going to be a paid for upgrade.

 

Time to go have a word with them I think

[plexer]

I thought the reason it ran on their hardware was so that it was forensically secure and thus the evidenc ecould be used in court proceedings?

 

Ben

[Willott]

Hmmm I'd have to question just what our support contract is giving us if the VM version is going to cost that much! I'd also have to question why we were initially told the upgrade cost was for the new server if the VM version is also going to be a paid for upgrade.

 

Time to go have a word with them I think

 

Good luck If you get anywhere, let me know.

[tom_newton]

I thought the reason it ran on their hardware was so that it was forensically secure and thus the evidenc ecould be used in court proceedings?

 

Ben

 

Would still be OK for courts if archived to WORM media.

[Edu-IT]

I saw the demo at BETT and yes, it is pretty impressive, but £795 for an upgrade? Essentially you'll be left with an old Securus server which is of no use to you once you install the Next Generation box. I'd have thought they would have taken this into account.

 

I'm interested to know why it costs so much for the upgrade. The server spec isn't anything special, and given the fact that they're charing £500 for the VM solution, I would assume the bulk of the £800 cost is for the Securus product as opposed to the hardware.

 

Impressive feature set but there's part of me which thinks it's a bit of a rip off.

[Edu-IT]

Okay, I have just seen on a suppliers website that new customers can purchase Securus NG for £795 and the licences are £14. So what exactly is free for existing customers? Anyone?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong but the old client can be used on the workstations? So nothing has changed there if that's the case.

[TechR]

Do all/any of the features on Securus NG actually work? The URL blocking on our Securus install can be defeated by simply creating a shortcut to a URL and then clicking that shortcut repeatedly until securus fails

 

Its a 30 second speedbump

 

If these things dont work, has the technical support been upgraded to the NEXT GENERATION as well? Current responses to our problems have been along the lines of "lol, really? Thats odd. Bye"

[Edu-IT]

You could get a test box if they do them?

[glennda]

considering my problem we have spent 3 months looking into not having a clue why it was happening, worked out the problem... securus. we rang them and they knew it was a problem but didn't fancy telling us, so therefore is now currently off, i don't think we will be upgrading soon!!