IT Management: Service-Now Fall 2010 Manages VMware
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The new VMware management tools in Service-Now extend IT managers' reach into the virtual data center without adding significant installation and configuration burdens for IT staffs. The Fall 2010 release of the SAAS IT management platform pushes cloud-based applications even higher as refinements such as IT cost management tools for showback and chargeback are added to help IT demonstrate value while also controlling VM sprawl. Service-Now is taking on on-premises management products such as HP OpenView, CA, BMC and IBM Tivoli. Service-Now hopes that IT managers will offload management tools into the cloud, thereby leveraging IT best practice expertise available for a predictable monthly subscription fee. Service-Now frequently updates the ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) check list and best practice knowledge in the service desk tools. The integration of the help desk system with the new software lifecycle management tools should be a boon to IT managers who wish to speed up the process of improving software applications. While the chargeback tool is still an early release feature in this version of Service-Now, the basic reports showed that IT managers should be able to demonstrate service value that is being provided to the business.
Cameron Sturdevant is the executive editor of Enterprise Networking Planet. Prior to ENP, Cameron was technical analyst at PCWeek Labs, starting in 1997. Cameron finished up as the eWEEK Labs Technical Director in 2012. Before his extensive labs tenure Cameron paid his IT dues working in technical support and sales engineering at a software publishing firm . Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his analysis is grounded in real-world concern. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at cameron.sturdevant@quinstreet.com.
