IBM unveils cloud virtualisation tool

IBM is launching the first piece of hardware to make use of private clouds for storage and processing, says StrategyEye.

The new WebSphere CloudBurst Appliance allows users to remotely access software held on a firm's central servers. The USD45 000 appliance creates virtual images of software running in the private cloud which can then be distributed to multiple workstations.

IBM says the appliance provides more stability because each virtual image is taken when the software is running perfectly with the appliance, operating system and hardware.

Virtualisation software revenue in EMEA is anticipated to increase by more than half during 2009, with the region significantly contributing to worldwide growth, according to market watcher Gartner, reports Channel Web.

Gartner has predicted that the EMEA market will increase by 55% from EUR330 million (R3.7 billion) in 2008 to EUR512 million (R5.7 billion) in 2009.

According to a recent report by the analyst, as hyperviser functionality moves to hardware, the main driver of growth will be in the server virtualisation management market, which is set to increase by 54.3% to EUR244.8 million (R2.7 billion) in 2009.

The increasing popularity of virtual servers is changing the face of managed e-mail, according to OneStopClick.

According to US-based managed services provider StrongMail Systems, more firms are making use of cloud computing to take advantage of the benefits of installed software and software-as-a-service (SaaS) in one versatile solution.

Executive vice-president of business operations at the group, Bill Wagner, commented that managed IT support providers are not yet fully able to appreciate the implications of using virtual servers offered via the cloud.