HoundDog is a service that offers a collection of integrated tools remotely that are optimized for monitoring and maintaining PCs. Solution providers sign up for the service and then deploy client software to their customers. Solution providers are able to monitor and support those systems via an easy-to-use browser-based portal, which offers report generation, remote control and so on.

The HoundDog service offers 24/7 monitoring, daily health checks, e-mail and SMS (Short Message Service) alerts, asset tracking, remote access and patch management. For solution providers, the service also includes a browser-based dashboard, client portal, client reporting and workstation monitoring. HoundDog offers self-branding, which solution providers can use to "hide the dog behind the curtain" and take credit for the service for themselves.

To use HoundDog, a solution provider needs to register for the service; the company offers a full-function 30-day free trial for those wanting a test drive. Once registered, an Advanced Monitoring Agent needs to be deployed on each network that will be monitored. The agent "phones home" at regular intervals to upload monitoring data.  

There are two types of monitoring sets, one that reports data 24/7 and another that only performs daily checks. The 24/7 data collection monitors CPU, memory and disk usage, along with just about any system parameter that a monitored system can access. The daily check reports on additional elements, such as anti-virus status, system logs, application logs, SNMP information and "health" status.

Installing a server monitoring agent takes only a few minutes. The default monitoring triggers will fit the needs of most users. Solution providers can choose to customize triggers, alerts and many of the other parameters associated with the HoundDog agent.

The agent relays collected data back to HoundDog's central servers using an encrypted SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) connection. Solution providers can then use a browser-based dashboard to view what is going on with monitored networks and systems. The dashboard supports drill-down and report creation for solution providers looking to delve a little deeper into a monitored system's statistics.

The HoundDog dashboard can be configured to offer information based upon sites or a group, allowing solution providers to divvy up the monitored networks by customer or location or by most any other element they can think of. Systems can also be identified by IP addresses and subnets, which prove to be useful for asset tracking of monitored workstations.

HoundDog is priced based upon services needed and assets monitored. Prices start as low as $2.95 per month, and there are no upgrade or maintenance fees beyond the company's flat-fee billing. That makes it quite easy for solution providers to budget for services needed and then mark up those services accordingly. Solution providers can sign up for a free trial and find out more information on HoundDog's Web site.