IBM helps Middle East organisations simplify complex IT processes

IBM will bring these new automation solutions at a launch event for local organisations and business partners at Dubai's Fairmont Hotel tomorrow morning, where worldwide experts from IBM's Software Group will brief them on how these solutions will help businesses benefit from higher productivity, lower costs and more efficient operations.

"IBM's provisioning technology will break new grounds in simplifying the management of complex IT systems including deploying servers and software, allocating storage, and configuring the network, all of which often require significant IT staff time, can be slow to execute and can result in human error," said Bashar Kilani, IBM's manager of software group, Middle East. "The Tivoli Provisioning Manager, a key component in the new automation solutions we are announcing, helps Middle East organisations eliminate the risk of this human error by automating these processes using best practices."

IBM is also taking provisioning technology a step further by making it possible to provision resources using Grid computing. For example, a new service called the Virtual Loaner Pilot (VLP) uses provisioning and Grid technologies to provide ISVs with easy access to hardware for application porting and testing. Rather than having the physical hardware shipped to the ISV, a time consuming process that slows applications from getting to market, VLP uses Tivoli Provisioning Manager and Grid computing to provide a virtual, IBM eServer-based development environment that enables ISVs to remotely test their applications in an on demand fashion.

"IBM continues to focus on delivering advanced integrated on-demand solutions that help manage the complexity of the IT environment and enable dynamic responses to changes in business conditions according to predefined policies and rules," contined Kilani. "The ability to respond dynamically to market changes and customer demands is crucial to our customers. Automation can help increase the business responsiveness of an IT environment by aligning one's IT objectives with one's business goals."