IBM in a Nov. 5 news release "announced
new solutions for developers to [use to] create and deliver software in both
public and private cloud environments."
One of these is IBM Rational Software
Delivery Services for Cloud Computing, which the release said features "a
set of ready-to-use application lifecycle management tools for developing and
testing in the IBM Cloud, and [uses] infrastructure
management capabilities to help enterprises build software applications in the
cloud. With these new services, clients can lower costs and respond [more
quickly] to organizational demands. For example, organizations can reduce the
time it takes to provision a test environment from weeks to hours, and in some
cases even minutes."
Secondly, IBM has introduced its IBM
Smart Business Development and Test on the IBM
Cloud as "a free public cloud beta for software development that provides [computing]
and storage as a service." Both it and Rational Software Delivery Services
"help application developers and testers speed the development and delivery
of software applications," the release said.
"Enterprises are looking for optimal business models to lower the cost
of developing and deploying software while maximizing existing
investments," said IBM Rational General
Manager Daniel Sabbah. "Cloud-based models offer flexible, instant
sourcing options based on teams' needs while enhancing control of their
delivery models. With more and more customers treating software as a strategic
business asset, the combined value of the new offerings can help them gain the
utmost value from their investments in IT across the application life cycle."
The release said:
"IBM Smart Business Development and Test on the IBM Cloud is designed to augment and enhance
software development and delivery capabilities, particularly in large
enterprises where IT departments handle hundreds of development projects every
year. Unlike [in] traditional development environments, developers can log on
to IBM Smart Business Development and Test on the IBM Cloud and get access to customizable
virtual machines in minutes.
"The new environment provides [computing]
and storage as a service, IBM
Rational Software Delivery Services, WebSphere and Information Management
software to help application developers and testers speed the development and
delivery of software applications. To help customers leverage existing
investments, these new services support development across heterogeneous
environments, including Java, Open Source, and .NET. In addition, pre-configured integrations
of some of these Rational services are available based on the Jazz framework,
which dynamically integrates and synchronizes people, processes and assets
associated with software development projects.
"IBM is also extending its IBM Rational Software Delivery Services for
Cloud Computing to a private cloud infrastructure for enterprise customers who
prefer governance and control of their own cloud environment. Behind a client's
own firewall, these services can provide users with additional development
options and customization needed to deploy applications in a private cloud. IBM Rational Software Delivery Services for
private cloud environments can be experienced by a limited number of
participants."
Moreover, the release said:
"IBM Rational Software Delivery Services for
Cloud Computing feature a select set of services optimized and ready for
delivering software throughout the enterprise, including:
·
Agile development services to enable collaborative development and test: A set
of best practices to achieve desired agility in an enterprise.
·
An integrated set of services for Test Management, Test Planning and Test Lab
Management: Increases productivity by automating processes that traditionally
required long wait times, and even longer time for setup, procurement and
installation.
·
Tools to help develop for the cloud: For example, IBM Rational Asset Manager eliminates rework
and improves collaboration of extended teams.
"IBM Rational Software Delivery Services for
Cloud Computing bring the best practices of IBM's Global Technology Services, Global Business
Services and Rational Lab Services with a full suite of capabilities to adopt
and deploy cloud delivery options and identify areas for return on investment
in cloud adoption. IBM's new Global Technology Test Cloud Services
and IBM Global Business Cloud Consulting Services
offerings are also available with the new IBM Rational Software Delivery Services for
Cloud Computing."
The release also said, "IBM is
inviting free and open participation at www.ibm.com/cloud/developer."
Finally, it said, "IBM is also making
it easier for software developers to gain cloud computing skills with no-charge
access to online workshops, skills tutorials and social networking tools
through My DeveloperWorks, which enables users to build online relationships,
share content and grow a worldwide network of peers to drive innovation. For
more information, visit www.ibm.com/developerworks/spaces/cloud."
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