Here's a little challenge for someone – the development of a little client PC auditing system that fires off details of configuration and applications to help desk operators.

It would seem there is a big market for such a tool if a recent survey conducted by Centennial Software is any guide. This has shown that an estimated 57 per cent of businesses are wasting money by not automating their helpdesk processes. In effect, helpdesk staff have to spend time – maybe five minutes per call – trying to find out what the configuration of a user's PC is, what applications are being used, and a range of similar questions.

The Centennial answer is, unsurprisingly, to buy one of its management systems in order to achieve this goal. And who can argue with that approach?

But it does seem strange that, if over half of all the world's corporate PCs that access corporate helpdesks don't already have automated configuration disclosure tools that inform helpdesk staff of such important information, there is a market opportunity crying out to be addressed. In fact, it does seem surprising that Microsoft has not had this covered since, well, before the arrival of XP Professional.

So, someone cutting a deal with Bellarc would be a good starting point for a simple reporting tool...go get 'em, Floyd. ®