Capgemini, VMware partner

Capgemini Group has unveiled a new suite of virtualisation services in partnership with VMware, a provider of virtualisation and cloud infrastructure technology, says CBR Online.

Both the companies will work together to create a flexible consumption-based IT services model that helps companies drive increased cost reductions through consolidation and server virtualisation.

Capgemini says a virtualised IT infrastructure provides the foundation for building agile, effective cloud computing IT services, where physical hardware such as servers, networks, storage and even desktops are transferred to virtual servers with high levels of automation.

Siemens Industry Automation Division has expanded the functionalities of its Simatic WinCC SCADA system version 7 with a new software update, says Control Engineering.

Service Pack 2 aims to enable client virtualisation via Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware ESXi 4.0, and it contains a driver for communication with Mitsubishi controllers via Ethernet. Windows 7 and Windows 2008 Server are also supported. Virtualisation allows several systems that would otherwise require separate hardware to be operated in parallel on one PC. The virtual WinCC clients can be connected with thin clients via an Ethernet network using Remote Desktop Protocol.

Virtualisation technology has three central advantages, says the company: Firstly, existing hardware resources are optimally utilised, reducing procurement and operating costs. Companies can reduce their hardware costs in the production environment, particularly in combination with rugged thin clients.

IT management software maker SolarWinds had a big day 19 January, coming out with a spiffy new data centre product and acquiring a company that will help it move into new markets, writes eWeek.

SolarWinds unveiled its new Application Performance Monitor, which offers visibility into the data centre and provides a gateway for the company into the application performance and virtualisation management markets; sectors expected by many analysts to see high growth in 2011.

Austin, Texas-based SolarWinds also revealed that it is acquiring a neighbour, Hyper9, a four-year-old, privately held virtualisation management software provider located in Austin. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.