Server convergence a future trend

Pundits and vendors swear that unified computing is the future of the server platform, but many IT pros won't sign on the dotted line, writes SearchDataCenter.

Attendees at the Gartner Data Center Conference this week heard a lot about the future of servers, and that future involves a lot of so-called IT convergence, also known as 'unified computing,' or 'converged architecture'.

Andrew Butler, a Gartner vice-president and analyst, added his own buzzphrase: fabric-based computing, and predicted that 30% of Global 2000 companies will run some form of it by the end of 2012.

SAP is planning to release a business collaborative tool dubbed Constellation, which could be a potential rival to Google's Wave platform, reports IT World Canada.

Users will be able to pull an organisation's data and access it through one point in the cloud and collaborate with one another.

Constellation will consist of a cloud-based tool accessible via a Web browser, as well as an on-premises component. The tool will provide ways to publish activities to wikis, SharePoint and other platforms.

Smart Communications has joined other service providers in an initiative to hasten the roll-out of mobile TV handsets to the market, states BusinessWorld Online.

Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea says the initiative seeks to update cellphone roll-out plans and jump-start discussions in developing common handset requirements to companies and governments.

Vea says: "This is where device manufacturers play a crucial role in providing the market with low-cost units to encourage first-time users to experience broadcast mobile TV and become the catalyst for vital growth.”