IBM Introduces Services to Enable Virtual Computing

IBM (NYSE: IBM), the world's leading information technology (IT) services provider, today introduced a service product that helps businesses utilize virtualization technologies to simplify computing in the workplace. The new Virtual Infrastructure Access service product enables centralized computing at the server level and provides workers security-rich access to applications, information and resources.

As part of the service product introduced today, a highly skilled team of End User Services experts from IBM will provide consultation, assessment, planning, design and implementation to help clients deploy virtual infrastructures for security-rich end user computing.

The Virtual Infrastructure Access service product represents the latest step in IBM's strategy to deliver traditional labor-based technology services in a manner more similar to the delivery of technology products.

"IBM can help businesses optimize their end user environments by integrating, deploying, and innovatively managing multiple end user devices and software platforms that can increase employee performance and productivity, while freeing IT staff to focus on creating new business value," said John Visentin, vice president, IBM End User Services. "The new IBM Virtual Infrastructure Access service product provides security-rich access to applications, information and resources anytime, from virtually anywhere."

Today's explosion in end user technology poses challenges for businesses including device proliferation, support for a dispersed workforce, backup and recovery of distributed data, IT environment complexity, increasing support costs and increased security risks. The need to support new end user technology places strain on IT managers needing to support complex systems and ever-increasing employee IT needs.

Building on IBM's four decades of virtualization product experience, IBM's Virtual Infrastructure Access service product empowers employees by creating a level of independence between the device, the operating system and the applications. The new centrally managed environment simplifies technical support and can reduce downtime and costs by placing processing power requirements onto the server.

IBM is also announcing two new services today for businesses seeking to simplify end user computing. The new services leverage innovative technologies from IBM Research to help optimize a client's end user environment. They are:

IBM Software Platform Management Services: provides electronic distribution and installation of workstation software packages and data content from a central point with minimum user intervention. This service supports end user workstation software platform images, consisting of the operating system, network protocols, hardware drivers, core applications and operating system patch management.
IBM Platform Integration and Deployment Services: provides a range of activities, from procurement of end user devices -- including personal computers, kiosks, automated teller machines (ATMs), mobile and wireless devices -- to overseeing the staging and testing of end user equipment, site survey, equipment installation and on-site training.
Scotiabank, one of North America's leading financial institutions with branches and offices in 50 countries worldwide, has worked with IBM on initiatives including software distribution, security patch deployment and image consolidation.

"IBM has helped us achieve greater consistency and efficiency within our workstation environment," said J.P. Savage, chief technology officer, Scotiabank. "We are able to function in a highly secure technical environment as a result of the implementation of End User Services from IBM."

For more information about new service products from IBM, go to: www.ibm.com/services/spotlight