Mention the term “network management” to most business owners and you’ll watch their eyes roll as they think “how much is this going to cost me”?

Solution providers looking to keep their customers happy and services affordable have turned to the managed services model to keep those customers from experiencing the sticker shock often associated with a network management suite. That may be all well and good for the customer, but someone still has to make the investment in a network management product and that’s often the managed services provider.

SpiceWorks is looking to ease that pain by offering a comprehensive network management suite for a price that anyone can afford: Free.

But, of course, there is a catch.

Spiceworks earns it money from imbedded advertising in their product. Not really a big deal and not very intrusive, but some may still balk at idea of ads infiltrating their work day. Luckily, Spiceworks has an answer to that dilemma; the software can be purchased sans advertising for a mere $240 per year per network. What’s more, solution providers choosing to pay can replace the spot normally taken by ads with their own logo.