It could be game over for thousands of time-wasting employees,f software and internet browsing. according to one network management software supplier.

According to Tally Systems, the latest version of its network management tool, CentaMeter software, is designed to make it easy for administrators to monitor and lock out computer games and personal internet usage during normal working hours.

"PC abuse is a big problem for many organisations," said John Mahon, director of European operations for Tally Systems. "No firm wants to be paying its staff to spend time unproductively, but until recently it has been very hard to do anything about it."

The company claimed that CentaMeter gets computer usage back under control and that with the software in place, network managers can put a stop to all unauthorised activity. Companies which currently have the software in place include: Ford, Lockheed, Ericsson, Exxon and the US Navy.

As well as the lock-out features of the software, Tally claims it also has facilities for budget planning, software-licence monitoring and prioritising last-minute Year 2000 compliance.

"It is not enough just to know what software you have, you also need to know how people are using it. Effectively managing the policies and costs associated with purchasing and using computer software requires hard data on which applications people actual use, how they use them and when they use them," said Mahon.

Other features of CentaMeter 2.9 include a new user interface and reports module that take advantage of 32-bit technology. Also included is a Year 2000 Software Prioritisation Report which allows non-Y2K software to be monitored and discarded if it is not being used and a remote refresh capability that adds the ability to start and stop metering agents at remote locations.