ROC announces new product versions, CEO at HP World

ROC Software (512.336.4200) announced at HP World that it is now shipping new versions of its entire lineup of MPE/iX solutions for datacenter management and printing. Versions and upgrades include:

Maestro for MPE 5.2, an automated workload scheduler, now includes a Signaler feature. The product sends alerts of errors and job related messages through cellular phones, text pagers and Web sites.

ROC’s backup solution BackPack/iX 5.4 allows end users to receive alert messages through cellular phones, text pagers and Web sites; it also provides 24/7 backup of data files in use by other ROC applications.

TapesPlus 4.2, ROC’s network-wide tape library management solution, includes automatic slot assignment, which assigns tapes to empty slots during vaulting cycles.

The 3.2 version of SpoolMate includes an automatic restart function, which permits network printers to automatically restart after print jobs abort.

DCM/Pak 2.2 also includes alert features as well as 24/7 data file backup, sending error messages through cellular phones, text pagers and Web sites.

ROC’s electronic forms utility Formation has a 3.7 version, which includes the ability to print two-dimensional MaxiCode symbols used for high speed sorting and processing of packages.

The company also announced that Chuck Stern, formerly a vice president with Unison Software and then with the Internet Business Solutions segment of IBM’s Tivoli Systems group, is joining the firm as CEO. Stern becomes the latest member of ROC returning to a company now crowded with former Tymlabs staffers. Stern served at HP 3000 software supplier Tymlabs as Senior Vice President.

“We are delighted to announce that Chuck is joining our team,” said ROC Chief Technology Officer Danny Compton. “He brings enormous experience with datacenter management solutions and leading Internet management offerings. His ability will insure that ROC maintains and enhances its position as the leading provider of MPE solutions.”

Stern sees his arrival as a reunion. “I am delighted to be rejoining the HP community and returning to work with the original product architects from Unison and Tymlabs,” he said in a press release. “ROC Software has taken that original work and created a team dedicated to improving system and product interoperability while maintaining the highest level of product support.” Stern’s priorities include developing “strategic alliances necessary to enhance distribution and augment our services.”