MS plans virtualisation tool

Microsoft is planning a new virtualisation tool to provide better application compatibility for businesses migrating from Windows XP to the forthcoming Windows 7 operating system, states vnunet.com.

The feature will be called Windows XP Mode and will allow users to install and run applications in a Windows XP environment running under Windows Virtual PC.

It is specifically designed to help small businesses move to Windows 7, according to information recently posted to Microsoft's Windows blog.

Royal London Asset Management expects to save about £75 000 (R966 951) in IT costs by deploying virtualisation across its two city data centres, reports vnunet.

The implementation of VMware systems at the server rooms, which will reduce the number of computers from 35 to eight, is expected to bring the savings over a five-year period and provide a return on investment within three years.

According to the firm, the roll-out, carried out by reseller Kelway, was prompted by limited space in the server rooms, which restricted their potential to support future growth.

Businesses are implementing virtualisation within their servers and across end-users' desktops, according to research published by The Register, says Zycko News.

The information technology resource collaborated with analyst Freeform Dynamics on the study, which was carried out in October, to determine which areas organisations are focusing on at present.

More than one in ten of those canvassed were already implementing desktop virtualisation, with a further fifth due to embark on a project by the end of April 2009.