The term management implies the achievement of objectives through effective use of resources. Management style relates to the various approaches used in pursuit of those same objectives. There can be various management tools contributing to an effective management solution. In this article we will be discussing one such tool.This management tool reflects an approach to communication systems management in which the management functions are physically separatedfrom the host computers driving a communications network. These management functions are packaged on a small IBM processor base (i.e., sidestream processor) and designed for use in a centralized network management center environment. The management functions included in this sidestream processor tool relate to problem management. change management. project scheduling and tracking. network control. and network configuration.