An optimization system for networks that use multiple different devices having different combinations of hardware and software (i.e., platforms). The system accurately assesses, controls and optimizes performance of such networks. The invention provides an efficient user interface for installing, configuring and operating various features of the optimization system. Intelligence objects operate at the server node level to dynamically analyze system processes at each server node. The analysis of system processes is extensive and includes hardware, software, operating system and communications. One feature allows an object to generate a number representing a local utilization value. The local utilization value is a measure of one or more performance factors in the platform hosting the object. The local utilization value can be passed to another platform system hosting a second intelligence object. The second intelligence object can generate its own local utilization value or can combine its local utilization value with the passed value to create a composite utilization value that reflects performance of both platforms. Where different values are from different platforms, the system resolves, adjusts, or normalizes the values to achieve a composite value.