OPTIMIZED SYSTEMS

Putting a Vertical Spin on Optimized Systems

Alison Diana | Date: 10-27-11 | Comments

Workload-optimized systems that match a computing architecture to a vertical industry�s computing needs are becoming more desirable and more common.

No two industries are alike. So their computing needs differ as well.

Yet, in many cases, organizations�from financial firms to health care providers, from retailers to utilities�buy and use similar systems to process, crunch and understand the different forms of data they capture, understand and generate. That doesn�t always make sense, either to users or to the bottom line.

Instead, solution providers are increasingly recommending workload-optimized solutions designed for specific vertical markets. By purchasing these targeted systems, companies buy the powers they require.

Simply put, workload-optimized systems match the architecture to the need for which they are purchased. Instead of solely defining systems� performance by benchmarks, such as processor speed, it is defined by the system�s ability to deploy new services faster, with higher quality, and within financial objectives, according to Clabby Analytics.

Several vendors are addressing this growing market.

IBM has made a large investment, in technology, its channel and financing�and has announced many major wins. The Escorts Group, for example, is replacing its existing ERP system infrastructure with an IBM workload-optimized hardware solution. The company, which is one of India�s leading engineering conglomerates, is implementing IBM Power 750 Express and IBM Power 740 Express systems, IBM System storage DS5000s and Tivoli software. The company expects to see gains in performance and reliability, and save between 30 and 35 percent in power and cooling over a three-year period.

This is part of an overreaching workload-optimization solution. The IBM Smart Analytics System family incorporates multiple hardware platforms and architectures, and is designed to provide maximum flexibility for rapid deployment. The systems are preintegrated, and available in preconfigurations for multiple vertical markets such as retail, insurance, health care, banking and telecommunications.

As data and user requirements change, you simply add more capacity. As business demands change, you augment the system with various analytics modules. The scalable, flexible solutions feature a reduced storage footprint using compression technology. The systems push analytics deeper into database and warehouse software, improve overall performance, and reduce maintenance and staffing requirements.

Companies further reduce their costs since the IBM Smart Analytics System supports multiple-generation processor and storage offerings within one configuration. The solution also features a warehouse foundation, single point-of-contact and broad analytics capabilities.

IBM business partners can rapidly deploy customized analytics applications to their clients, enabling organizations to quickly gain a competitive edge, cut costs and boost efficiency. In turn, this increases their return on investment and improves the total cost of ownership.

Solution providers serving vertical markets and customers in specific industries can, therefore, acquire the computing powers they need, in a solution designed to grow along with them.

Here are related "Smarter Technology" articles on workload optimization and "big data" analytics.