Smarter Computing getting Real for x86 Users

Satyen Vyas
Vice-President - System x, STG
IBM India South Asia

It is important to note that, though the demand for IT deployment is increasing, the budgets are reasonably flat. Taking into consideration the same, IBM has announced new server solutions designed to expand cloud and analytics capabilities across its entire portfolio, helping make Smarter Computing a reality for x86 clients.

New range Vs Customer Needs

We are announcing five different products, which include a new version of IBM's BladeCenter Foundation for Cloud (BCFC), an integrated virtualization platform with built-in system management and preconfigured with servers, storage, and networking. BCFC is now powered by the new generation of IBM BladeCenter HS23 systems that offer 62% more compute power, and comes integrated with the new 10GbE Virtual Fabric technology.

The next release is two rack servers - IBM System x 3650 M4 - the most expandable, upgradeable system of its kind and the System x 3550 M4. They support the IBM Smarter Analytics portfolio of offerings, supported by storage-dense System x two-socket systems running IBM InfoSphere Data Warehouse and Cognos business intelligence and performance management software.

Customers today are looking at solving their business problems. They want to be closer to their customers, reducing their cost of business and making IT integral to their operations. During IT deployment, organizations continue to look for business agility from the IT Department. In this context, cloud is the most promising technology offering. 

Next in line is the IBM System x 3500 M4 tower that provides data center performance in a desktop package. It delivers four times more memory, more virtual machines, and improved networking performance in less space at a comparable price. It is designed for quiet operation and fits easily under a desk or rack, making it ideal for office environments.

The IBM System x iDataPlex dx360 M4 offers significant flexibility for supporting a wide range of high-performance computing workloads. Available with specially designed exclusive IBM warm water-cooled technology, it is up to 40 per cent more energy efficient than air-cooled systems, recovering 90 per cent of heat per nodes.

“What we have launched today are industry standard products. So we are targeting the entire spectrum of customer segments, considering that today everybody is looking at virtualization and cloud among other key features,” he adds.

IBM would continue with M3 series, besides the new M4 range. "From the design of servers, software and services, IBM solutions are created to help accelerate the journey to Smarter Computing," added Vyas. "IBM is delivering easy-to-deploy cloud and analytics products to help clients align their businesses to manage unprecedented amounts of data, and become much more efficient at turning that information into timely business insights."

Channel plans

IBM currently has 1,500 partners across the country. “Our primary engine of taking our solutions is through our loyal channel base,” he adds. There are no immediate plans of roping in new partners but enabling existing base to sell new cloud enabled products. Though the shipping of the new products would begin worldwide by March 16, 2012, IBM in India is organizing a 3-city metro launch both for partners and customers. From 14th-18th March, IBM would be busy talking about the products in the capital, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.

This Level I of enablement would also include smaller-sized launch in the remaining metros like, Kolkata and Chennai. In the next quarter (April - June), IBM is planning to organize a dedicated symposium for two days aimed at enabling the partners for our new range of servers. This is targeted to cover some 50 partners each in geo-cities and 75 partners each in the top metros. IBM will also reach out pan-India to all the tier-II cities engaging the partners as well as the customers over the next two quarters. 

“We have not only announced a new breed of servers that address business challenges of customers but also enabling our partners to ensure they are well equipped to go to our customers. They actually represent IBM to the customers,” concluded Satyen Vyas.

For more contact:
Syeda Beenish
beenish@varindia.com