IBM (NYSE:IBM) is tapping into its longtime expertise with virtualization to help enterprises deal with the increasing demand for users to employ their own devices to access corporate or organizational systems.
IBM has announced a set of flexible workplace solutions that enable organizations to create a simple, cost-effective environment that enables employees to use any device to access workplace applications any time and any place.
The new IBM SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure solutions are designed to help enterprises better manage the rising trend toward employees taking their own electronic devices to work, also known as bring your own device, or BYOD. It allows organizations to manage desktops centrally while small or large numbers of users can access desktop applications from any location or device, including PCs, tablets, smart phones, laptops and thin clients, IBM said in a press release.
Indeed, IBM created the solutions to help users avoid the constraints of physical computing, as the new offerings support a wide range of hardware, software and virtualization platforms across various industries, including health care, education, financial services and retail, as well as the public sector, local, state and federal government agencies.
For example, the 2,000-student Gilmer Independent School District in Gilmer, Texas, is using the offering to provide a more flexible workplace for teachers and administrators.
“The IBM virtual desktop solution with Virtual Bridges VERDE on System x allows us to lower desktop management costs, while improving data security and disaster recovery, said Rusty Ivey, the school districts technology director, in a statement. VDI improves the productivity of our teachers and administrative staff, as well as lab users by providing instant access to the latest operating systems and applications anytime and anywhere, using their choice of electronic devices.”
The IBM SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure solutions come tested across hardware, software and services to help streamline IT administration and help take the guesswork out of the transition to a virtual desktop environment. IBM developed the offerings in collaboration with other solutions providers, including Citrix, Virtual Bridges and VMware.
For instance, using IBM System x servers running VMware Vie software, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. implemented a virtual desktop environment that included “Desktop Everywhere” to create an easy-to-use terminal, IBM said. The bank started by replacing a virtual environment of 3,000 PCs with Vie software. According to Bank-of-Tokyo-Mitsubishi Senior Manager Mizuhiko Tokunaga, company studies showed that the virtual desktop offering provided two advantagessupport for more software types and the ability to prevent an application failure from bringing down the entire system.
“Our strong ecosystem of partners and robust, open-reference approach provide a range of time-tested virtual desktop solutions for multiple environments,” said Adalio Sanchez, general manager of IBMs System x business, in a statement. “Together, we’re able to bring the power of virtual computing to any size company seeking secure, end-to-end solutions that provide greater agility, reduced costs and complexity, while freeing up critical IT resources.”
IBM SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure solutions are also being used at Corporate Information Systems Company Asia Pacific, a division of Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte., IBM said.