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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:??Ã Agile development services to enable collaborative development and test: A set of best practices to achieve desired agility in an enterprise.??Ã 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.??Ã 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.”