Propel prioritizes bandwidth usage

Propel Software introduced its PBM (Personal Bandwidth Manager) at DEMOfall 07. The software download automatically prioritzes network traffic on a computer. For example, when there is contention between a Skype phone call and uploading files to a system, Propel PBM gives priority to the VoIP call and throttles back the uploading, optimizing the bandwidth for call quality.

Propel PBM supplies the prioritization schemas. "In general, time critical voice applications have priority. Interactive browsing is prioritized higher than email, and email higher than FTP," said CEO David Murray.

Propel PBM also shows data about network connection usage, such as bandwidth consumed and transfer rates. Propel PBM is in private beta and will be priced between $10 and $50 for a year subscription, Murray said.