| TECHNOLOGY SERVICE NEWS |
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| IBM Software Enables Virtualized Computing Across PCs, Wireless Devices and Servers |
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IBM has new virtualization software - Tivoli Provisioning Manager - that
enables companies to deploy and install software on tens of thousands of laptops, desktop PCs, wireless devices and
servers, reducing the time it takes to manage and upgrade systems by hours or days, depending on the size of the
infrastructure.
The software senses when the network can handle software upgrades and automatically begins those upgrades
when there is sufficient network bandwidth. It also runs automatic compliance checks -- such as validating
that antivirus software is up-to-date -- and deploys the software across the infrastructure.
Managing IT services has become more challenging as technology grows more complex. According to IBM
estimates, costs related to changing and deploying software on servers accounts for 70 percent of an
organization's total IT costs, and at least half the people in an organization's IT staff manage and
support existing technology instead of developing and maintaining applications. Automating changes to IT
systems -- such as application upgrades and security patches -- improves the lengthy, error-laden process of
making changes, which frees up system administrators to handle other tasks.
For example, a bank could use Tivoli Provisioning Manager to sense when there is enough network bandwidth
available to deploy an email software upgrade without having to worry about allocating extra servers,
scheduling software changes when network traffic is slow, or monitoring network traffic. Tivoli Provisioning
Manager software intuitively knows to send out the software when enough bandwidth is available, giving other
business needs a priority, such as peaks in demand driven by a special online promotion.
"Automation is key to making virtualized environments efficient," said Dave Lindquist, IBM
Tivoli chief architect. "The ability to modulate how network bandwidth is utilized allows customers to
deploy truly flexible, dynamic infrastructures in a way that supports business goals."
"Adaptive bandwidth control" gives important business operations priority but allows
administrative IT tasks, like anti-virus updates, to be handled whenever network space is available. For example,
this eliminates the need for a bank to reserve extra servers or network space solely for administrative tasks such
as updating applications across their ATMs.
"Peering," which is a new grid computing-based approach to distributing
software over long distances. It allows files, such as email applications or video clips, to be
downloaded from a local server or a nearby desktop. Software is delivered faster to computer users while
network traffic and hardware required to support high-traffic volumes are reduced.
The software runs as part of a services-oriented architecture, or SOA, which is a way of reusing a
company's existing technology to more closely align with business goals, which results in greater
efficiencies, cost savings and productivity. The software's support for SOA helps customers comply with
governance models across laptops, desktops and wireless devices -- for example, when government healthcare
mandates change, the software ensures that all devices are running software that complies with the latest regulations.
If customers have not yet moved to an SOA, the software can work alongside their existing architecture,
giving them the flexibility to migrate to an SOA at their own pace. Tivoli Provisioning Manager is integrated
with the IBM Tivoli Change and Configuration Management Database, which allows the technologies to share information
about the status of IT services.
The software is part of IBM's IT service management offerings, which automate some of the most challenging
processes associated with managing complex IT environments. These include managing storage devices, addressing IT
failures and deploying new software releases and patches. The software helps customers fight rising IT costs, manage
constant change and meet the demand to stay competitive in the marketplace.
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