Dartware FAQs
When was Dartware founded and by whom?
Dartware was founded by Richard Brown, William Fisher, and Stuart Pompian in 2000 but Brown and Fisher began developing the company's core technology in 1993 while employed by Dartmouth College. InterMapper® was an immediate success at Dartmouth and in 1996, its authors were encouraged to market it as a commercial software application.
Dartmouth gave Brown, Fisher, and Pompian rights to develop and distribute InterMapper through their own company, Dartware, in April 2000.
What are the company's key differentiators?
Dartware was founded by IT managers. Rich Brown understands the day-in, day-out challenges of network management because he's faced them. The company has a deep appreciation of network managers and the critical role they play in keeping companies productive.
That appreciation for the people in their market keeps Dartware employees committed to customer service. Customer service begins during the sales cycle when prospects typically need quick, informed answers. It applies to channel training – Dartware makes sure that resellers understand and can use the product. Ease of use is a particular focus; customers can get up and running and productive very quickly. And, of course, Dartware's commitment to service is apparent to customers who call for help and tips.
The utility and reliability of its products and high-touch customer service has created a community of Dartware users. They are, in many cases, Dartware fans – eager to share ideas with other users (as evidenced by customer created and shared utilities on the Dartware website) and to provide feedback to the InterMapper development team. Dartware routinely turns to its user base for product feedback to make sure that new versions and features target real network management problems.
Why a focus on network monitoring?
The trials of monitoring a physically scattered, non-SNMP, mission critical network without adding headcount was the inspiration for InterMapper.
At Dartmouth, Rich Brown and the Computing Services Department were responsible for maintaining the college's network that served over 7,000 students, faculty, and staff. The network was comprised of 100+ proprietary AppleTalk and IP routers that were located in most campus building basements.
When there was network trouble – when the network slowed to a crawl or went down – the IT staff had to search for the culprit. It was taking too long to fix problems and restore the network.
Because the routers used a locally-developed network stack with limited memory, they had no ability to speak SNMP. Brown looked for a commercial application that would let him look at his network: view its physical distribution and check on the status and performance of network elements. Nothing was available. So, he and Bill Fisher set out to craft their own solution and InterMapper was born.
Network managers are still challenged to reduce network down-time so Dartware continues to focus on monitoring tools that quickly display network performance, highlight potential problems, and locate network elements that need attention.
What are InterMapper's key differentiators?
Customers routinely report that InterMapper installation and configuration can be accomplished in hours – as opposed to weeks or months.
In addition, customers report that InterMapper gives them insight into network operations – the routers, switches, LAN and WAN connections, etc. – that no other products match.
Describe the InterMapper customer base.
Dartware has licensed technology to over 3,000 companies around the world. They occur in every major vertical including: manufacturing, finance, health services, education, government, internet and wireless internet service, technology, retail, not-for-profit, and pharmaceuticals.
What is InterMapper RemoteAccess?
InterMapper RemoteAccess provides increased mobility. Working in conjunction with InterMapper, it allows user to check on the status of your routers, switches, servers, and other networking equipment from a remote location in real time.
What is InterMapper Wireless Probe Pack?
The InterMapper Wireless Probe Pack enables InterMapper to monitor gear used by Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs). Canopy, Orthogon, Proxim, smartBridges, and Tranzeo are a few of the many wireless gear manufacturers covered.
Does Dartware sell direct or through a channel?
Dartware sells direct via phone and its website and through a channel of certified, trained resellers in the US, Latin America, and Europe.