FlexNet Connect 2014 helps reduce hacker risk

Flexera Software has announced the release of FlexNet Connect 2014, the component of FlexNet Producer Suite that enables software vendors and intelligent device manufacturers to electronically deliver software updates and obtain insights into product and application behaviour. FlexNet Connect 2014 provides new communications, device management and update capabilities, enabling new product and service offerings and easier software updates, patches and bug fixes for Internet-connected devices.

“Internet-connected devices powered by software and controlled via licensing and entitlement management systems open up myriad new revenue opportunities. For instance, innovative companies can leverage data reported back by the device on its operational status and behavior to develop new product and service offerings,” said Amy Konary, Research Vice President - Software Licensing & Provisioning at IDC. “But Internet-connected devices also can open up potential exposure to hackers, so device manufacturers also need reliable methods to monitor for such risks and repair any vulnerabilities that may arise.”

‘Connecting the Dots’ to Drive New Sales/Service Opportunities
FlexNet Connect 2014 provides the communications and software delivery infrastructure allowing manufacturers to identify and deliver new product/service opportunities to their customers. A new Device Viewer provides advanced reporting on data coming from the device, giving the application producer the ability to perform remote diagnostics or deep product analysis. Data such as device-specific profile information, applications updates or even event data picked up by sensors monitoring the device can be leveraged to trigger revenue-generating opportunities for product upgrades, add-ons or service calls – expanding the device manufacturer’s relationship with its customer as well as its profits.

“In the old days, a manufacturer had a narrow window to identify customer needs and sell product – and that window wouldn’t open again until the product wore out or needed replacement – oftentimes years later. Today that selling window is wide open all the time, and limited only by the device manufacturers’ readiness to innovate,” said Mathieu Baissac, Flexera Software’s Vice President of Product Management. “If a dishwasher reports back through FlexNet Connect 2014 of an impending breakdown, there’s an opportunity to schedule a revenue-generating service call. If the software controlling security in a home automation system shows heavier use in high-income areas, this could identify an opportunity for the manufacturer to package more robust home security features into a separate add-on product. FlexNet Connect 2014 provides a mechanism for intelligent device manufacturers to collect vital device data and transform it into revenue-generating intelligence.”

Reducing Risk, Vulnerability & Anxiety Surrounding Internet-Connected Devices
One of the constant refrains from Internet of Things-naysayers concerns the risks from hackers detecting and exploiting vulnerabilities in Internet-connected devices. Businesses fear exposing their customers to Internet criminals without a means to fix the problem, and they also fear potential repercussions due to regulatory non-compliance.

FlexNet Connect 2014 helps alleviate these concerns through new capabilities to provide secure downloads of software, bug fixes and patches directly to the device or software product – ensuring the customer is running the latest software. To further provide a secure environment, FlexNet Licensing can be added to ensure only licensed and credentialed users can access products according to software licensing terms. A new in-application client solution provides full control of the update experience no matter where that software resides, including OS X x86-32/64 and Linux ARM-32. A new porting kit enables producers to embed FlexNet Connect 2014 into a device running any embedded real time operating system, providing control over the update experience on embedded devices. Finally, FlexNet Connect 2014 helps further prevent unauthorised software downloads with a new mechanism allowing the producer to communicate with the entitlement back office in order to customise download URL’s, and provide a mechanism for entitlement based updates and expiring URL’s.

“Software vendors and device manufacturers are constantly upgrading their software to improve their products and fix bugs and patch vulnerabilities – but unless those updates get pushed out to the device or software product – they’re worthless. FlexNet Connect 2014 provides additional functionality to ensure producers have more control over implementation of critical software updates,” said Baissac. “Moreover, many manufacturers – such as medical device companies – have additional regulatory compliance hurdles, such as requirements that customers are running the latest device software versions. FlexNet Connect 2014 now makes it easier for device manufacturers to ensure their customers are protected with the latest software updates – and that they’re in compliance with regulatory requirements.”