When Less is More: IBM takes 'Vision to Reality' on the Road

This roadshow brings experts from IBM to the region to present a number of new technologies that allow organisations to reduce their spending on implementing technology, reduce the amount of infrastructure they have, and making it easier to manage. Part of IBM's strategy for On Demand computing, the technologies that IBM will cover include self-healing, self-optimising, self-protecting systems that consolidate tens or even hundreds of traditional servers into a single, easy to manage box.

"IBM's vision of an 'On Demand' computing environment is one of simplicity and elegance, where adding additional performance and additional functionality is as easy as opening a tap. A sprawling mass of servers with a mix of storage systems does not allow this. We are taking the Vision to Reality roadshow around the region to show organisations how they can simplify their technology systems, reducing racks of gear with just a few boxes," said Iqbal Hassim, Manager of IBM Systems Group, Middle East Egypt and Pakistan. "While consolidation is simple in theory, in practice the technology to bring about this simplicity is very advanced. We have several unique IBM technologies such as virtualisation, logical partitioning and advanced middleware software, which together allow IT departments to save as much as 56% of their cost of ownership."

"Virtualisation" means that a single IBM server can run multiple operating systems independently and securely on a single machine. Rather than having to buy new hardware whenever a new server is needed, a virtualised server can simply be set up on an existing machine. Similar technology can be used in enterprise storage systems.

This sort of consolidation allows IT infrastructure to be used to its limits. Often servers run at only 20% of their capacity, meaning that a high proportion of technology investment is not being used. Server consolidation allows utilisation to be dramatically improved, while reducing the management burden on support staff. This, along with IBM's "Autonomic Computing" technology for self-healing, self-optimisation and self-protection allows IT staff to concentrate on designing better applications that contribute towards the business, rather than spending their time keeping infrastructure running.