IBM has designed two new iSeries eServer offerings - one for capacity backup and one for high availability - specifically to boost productivity, security and profitability for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) while reducing their technology capex requirements.
The offerings provide mainframe-class business continuity with iSeries simplicity.
Says IBM SA`s iSeries manager, Jonathene Beyers: "The offerings meet a strategic need in SA`s macro economy. SMEs are the country`s major generator of economic activity, so any technology that can makes them more effective has a positive knock-on effect for GDP.
"But, most SMEs are less efficient than they could be, because they are working with disparate computer platforms and systems - increasing both the cost and complexity of operations. Until now, there has been no affordable way for them to achieve the benefits of integration in a few easy, pre-packaged steps.
"At the same time, there is a need to get black empowerment companies up and running on the latest technology quickly and with a clear return on investment. Our new iSeries offerings provide the means of doing that."
The iSeries High Availability offering is bundled around a new iSeries box and is geared to eliminate planned downtime and minimise unplanned downtime in mission-critical, multi-server environments that operate 24x7.
It eases role swapping and workload distribution and allows full on demand processor capability. It provides support for OS/400 and Linux platforms, Web modernisation, dynamic logical partitioning, 5250 OLTP, on/off capacity on demand and capacity upgrade on demand.
The iSeries for Capacity Backup is also a new server - with similar functionality to the High Availability server, and is priced for disaster recovery situations and not intended for use in production environments.
As a completely independent server, it eases standby server implementation - particularly in remote disaster recovery scenarios.
Both servers are bundled with appropriate software from qualified IBM business partners.
"IBM recognises that data is a customer`s most valuable asset and has tailored the two new iSeries eServers to be the most affordable means of protecting that asset," says Beyers. "The value proposition and the total cost of ownership are both extremely attractive."
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IBM is the world`s largest information technology company, with more than 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key business partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of e-business in an on demand world.
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IBM eServer
IBM is the number one server company in the world, offering a full line of data transaction, web application and appliance servers that embrace industry standards. Powered by breakthroughs such as microprocessors with copper wiring and Silicon-on-Insulator technology, IBM servers are industry benchmarks in terms of transactions measured, web serving capabilities and performance in software applications. The IBM eServer line is an integral part of customised, flexible and scalable Internet solutions for companies of all sizes. IBM supports Linux on its entire portfolio of e-business servers.
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