Unisys is bringing pay-as-you-go capabilities to its line of Intel-based ES7000 servers.
Unisys Corp. on Wednesday is introducing its ES7000 RTC (Real Time Capacity) systems, which can run both Linux and Microsoft Corp.s Windows operating systems.
Under the program, the systems will ship with four to 12 active Intel Corp. Xeon or Itanium 2 processors, and four inactive chips, said Mark Feverston, director of enterprise server marketing for Unisys, of Blue Bell, Pa.
Each inactive chip can be brought online by the customer through a Web interface using encrypted authorization keys, and then Unisys bills the customer for the new capacity theyre using.
The customers are automatically alerted through Unisys Sentinel management software when extra capacity is needed.
The systems are available immediately, Feverston said.
Initially, when the inactive chip is brought online, the customer buys the chip.
Later this year, Unisys will enable users to temporarily bring inactive processors online in 15-day increments, with e-mail alerts sent when those 15 days are about to expire.
After four temporary activations, the chips are turned on permanently and sold to the users, Feverston said.
When all the chips are activated, the cost wont exceed that of the system if all the capacity was bought upfront, he said.
The offering is part of Unisys 3D Visible Enterprise strategy, which is aimed at giving users greater visibility into its IT infrastructure and its relationship with applications and businesses processes.
It is similar to capabilities that Unisys offers on its ClearPath line of high-end servers.
Feverston said the offering is for customers who know they will need more power down the line, but dont want to have to pay for it up front.
It also benefits companies that have seasonal spikes in capacity demands.
“When customers have a major SAP [AG] implementation, they dont do it all at once,” Feverston said. “Most people roll out SAP in stages.”
Unisys also is working to make the process as easy as possible on the customer, he said.
The company offers a capacity planning service, where Unisys representatives evaluate a users need and make recommendations.
In addition, when new processors are brought online, Unisys will ensure that the customers licensing is up to date and will notify Microsoft when it occurs, ensuring that certificates of authorization are in order.
The documents will then be forwarded to the customer, Feverston said.