Bit9 Automates and Accelerates Windows Vista Compatibility Testing

05.01.2008 – Cambridge, Mass. – Bit9, the pioneer and leader in Enterprise Application Whitelisting, today announced a new service offering in its Bit9 Parity™ solution set that automates Microsoft Windows Vista™ deployments. Bit9 customers can now expedite the process of discovering which of their applications are Vista-ready, helping them reduce testing time and costs during their Vista migration.

Deploying a new operating system across an enterprise can take months, even years, of planning and application compatibility testing is the most time consuming part of any software migration program. According to Gartner, mainstream enterprises will take 12 to 18 months to qualify applications, test and pilot before starting their Windows Vista deployments.

Bit9 has added the Windows Vista compatibility metadata to the Bit9 Global Software Registry™ (GSR), the world’s largest repository of information on software. Leveraging this new information, Bit9 Parity users can quickly and easily view their application stack and understand which of their existing applications will work with Vista and which won’t, right down to specific version numbers of applications.

Many companies have been waiting to migrate to Vista until they make hardware upgrades, making the release of the new service the ideal way to protect their new investments. This service works seamlessly with the Bit9 Parity Application Whitelisting, which blocks all unauthorized applications and allows approved and trusted software to run on corporate laptops, desktops and servers.

“Upgrading to Windows Vista requires careful planning to ensure application continuity,” said Doug Cahill, vice president of corporate development and product management. “Adding Vista compatibility metadata to the long list of metadata already supplied by the Bit9 GSR enables a more secure and manageable Windows environment for Bit9 customers.”

About Bit9, Inc.
Bit9 is the pioneer and leader in enterprise application whitelisting. The company’s patented solutions ensure only trusted and authorized applications are allowed to run, eliminating the risk caused by malicious, illegal and non-authorized software.

Unlike traditional, reactive controls that try to scan and prevent the never-ending list of unauthorized software, Bit9 leverages the Bit9 Global Software Registry — the world’s largest database of software intelligence – to ensure only authorized applications can run, delivering the highest levels of desktop security, compliance, and manageability.

Bit9 customers include companies in a wide variety of industries, such as retail, financial services, healthcare, e-commerce, telecommunications, as well as government agencies. Founded in 2002, Bit9 is privately held and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, visit http://www.bit9.com or call 617.393.7400.

Bit9, Inc., Parity, and Global Software Registry are trademarks or registered trademarks of Bit9, Inc. Microsoft, Vista and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Kate Munro
Director of Marketing, Bit9, Inc.
617.393.7421
kmunro@bit9.com

Greg Sabey
Text 100 For Bit9, Inc.
617.399.4909
gregs@text100.com