IBM makes new cloud push with SmartCloud
April 8, 2011
BM’s new SmartCloud initially builds on its existing Development and Test Cloud service, using automation and rapid provisioning to slash the time needed for application development tasks. This Enterprise SmartCloud service is available immediately.
In the second half of 2011, the company will introduce Enterprise + SmartCloud, a fully-managed multi-tenant service for running production applications on Windows, Linux or AIX with 99.9% uptime. According to company officials, IBM already has multiple customers running production workloads on Enterprise +.
Specific services planned for SmartCloud include IBM SAP Managed Application Services (which can slash the time needed for SAP installation and management), and Lotus Domino Utility Server for LotusLive (to move Domino applications to SmartCloud).
"The new IBM SmartCloud allows for the best of both worlds – the cost savings and scalability of a shared cloud environment plus the security, enterprise capabilities and support services of a private environment," said Erich Clementi, senior vice president, IBM Global Technology Services. "In thousands of cloud engagements, we have discovered that enterprise client wants a choice of cloud deployment models that meet the requirements of their workloads and the demands of their business."