speed-trap.com Introduces Prophet Version 2.0 With New Features for Monitoring, Analysis of Web...

Business Editors/High Tech Writers

LA QUINTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2001

speed-trap.com, the client-side Web data collection company, chose the opening of the Upside Showcase here today to introduce Version 2.0 of its Prophet software, which is designed for use by

Prophet provides insight into the actual user experience of individuals coming to a Web site because it collects real-time data on user interaction with Web pages and permits a wide variety of data analysis -- from simple clickstream to page audit trails to real-time replay of actual user sessions on a Web site.

It does this with unique, patent-pending technology that downloads a Java applet onto the user's PC as part of Web pages which are to be monitored and analyzed. This applet then converses with the Prophet server application, co-located with the Web server, to collect all events that occur while the user interacts with the Web site. In this way, each Web page monitors its own use.

Prophet 2.0 includes a number of significant feature enhancements produced in response to customer requests and derived from the company's on-going product development program. For example, Prophet is now able to use HTTP secure sockets for returning sensitive data to the host Web site with complete security. This gives customers the option of using speed-trap.com's own lightweight encryption for returning interaction data streams or of using the full-strength, 80- or 132-bit encryption schemes implemented in the customer's Web browser.

In addition, version 2.0 now supports HTTP tunneling capabilities and allows the use of TCP/IP instead of UDP for data collection. These two changes allow Prophet data to pass through the majority of firewalls and routers without any special system configuration. The data collected in the client's system is placed into normal HTTP messages and returned using TCP/IP sessions. The original Prophet version 1.0 used only UDP for this process, and constructed specially formatted packets to carry this data.

"The third major change we've implemented is a very extensive set of real-time statistics and operational information that can be accessed via a new server GUI," explained Malcolm Duckett, vice president of marketing. "This server GUI allows operators to communicate directly with the server either across the network via a browser and a Java application or via a local process.

"The GUI includes extensive real time statistics on the number of active sessions, page loads, mouse clicks, key strokes and other data being collected from the monitored Web sites, which facilitates better analysis of the end user's Web site interaction experience and site performance," Duckett said. "The system also includes extensive system monitoring information -- such as inbound data and database performance -- which is also displayed in real-time with high-water-marks and queue balancing information."

The new server also includes a new, extended set of collection control mechanisms, including a graphical collection rule management system that allows Web site operators to define exactly which data should be collected from which frames and sessions. This includes date, time and location controls as well as the option to collect a random sample or specific proportion of all traffic.

"This new functionality makes Prophet even more effective because it can be used in secure environments, allowing data collection in the presence of typical firewall and corporate network environments without requiring special configuration," he added.

The new Prophet 2.0 product is being demonstrated at the Upside Showcase conference at the La Quinta Resort & Club, in La Quinta, in exhibit space No. 5. The company will also present at the Upside Showcase VC Theater at 10:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24.

About speed-trap.com

speed-trap.com is a U.K.-based e-commerce performance management company with headquarters in Newbury, U.K. and offices in Falls Church, Va., and Boca Raton, Fla. The company builds the tools and technology which the emerging generation of business-quality Web sites, Web applications and wireless solutions will use to build fast, usable, efficient and profitable solutions to meet the demands of today and tomorrow. speed-trap.com was founded in January of 2000 specifically to exploit their patent-pending technology that allows a unique insight into how real users and customers interact with online applications.