Texas software development company Spiceworks today released Spiceworks Network Monitor, a free network monitoring dashboard that provides IT professionals with a real-time graphical view of network utilization and server activity.

Network Monitor runs on a Microsoft (MSFT) Windows-based server and features monitoring capabilities that are designed to help IT professionals do their jobs more effectively, Spiceworks said. The application provides real-time alerting for more than 10 network and server conditions and enables IT professionals to address potential issues through a remote desktop connection.

Scott Abel, Spiceworks’ co-founder and chief executive officer, said Network Monitor complements his company’s existing help desk, mobile device management and network inventory applications.

“A real-time network monitoring application is a natural extension of the Spiceworks platform and an important capability our users have asked us to build,” Abel said in a prepared statement. “We’ve focused on building a monitoring solution that’s easy to install and use while also providing the information IT professionals need to do their jobs – for free.”

In addition to Network Monitor, Spiceworks offers software for managed service providers (MSPs), and its features include:

Abel also noted Spiceworks will continue to search for new ways to assist IT professionals and MSPs going forward.

“We’ll continue to expand the platform with Spiceworks and third-party applications that add value to an IT professional’s day and help them work more efficiently,” Abel said in a prepared statement.