Get smart and check this out: Small- and mid-sized businesses can save time and money through IT virtualization. Professionals wanting to learn more should check out Real Life Virtualization Stories: Business executives share how they saved time and money, a live webcast sponsored by IBM.
Virtualization is an IT technology that can cut costs dramatically by combining multiple servers into fewer, more powerful systems. Successful mid-size business executives who switched to virtualization will share why they chose to change and the results they have seen. For example, one of the panelists said he’s seen a 75 percent decrease in data center maintenance costs since switching to virtualized servers.
Jason Hiner, editor in chief of TechRepublic, will moderate the event. Hiner has his finger on the pulse of the industry and he recently named virtualization one of his top IT Trends for 2009. Other speakers include Nigel Fortlage, vice president of IT at GHY International and Cliff Dixon, IT director at Quality Distribution.
In addition, Judith Tracy, IBM global infrastructure marketing manager, will be answering questions. She is also the “Expert of the week” on IBM’s new Web site, InfoBOOM! , that was developed jointly with CIO magazine. InfoBOOM! will implement a new feature just before the call occurs that allows clients to interface directly with IBM executives and consultants focused on the mid-market. The new Web site also has a presence on Facebook and LinkedIn.
The virtualization webcast takes place on June 8 at 1:00 pm EST. Click here to register.
A really interesting green computer technology I found is Userful Multiplier. It’s where multiple people can use the same computer at the same time each with their own monitor, mouse and keyboard. This saves a lot of electricity and e-waste. A company called Userful recently set a virtualization world record by delivering over 350,000 virtual desktops to schools in Brazil. They have a free 2-user version for home use too. Check it out: userful.com
Userful Multiplier is new to me – any technology that can make a difference in electricity consumption is a good thing. At IBM we recently sponsored a world-wide study on Green IT in mid-size businesses to better understand how our customers are thinking about the environment when making decisions about IT investments. We found that businesses worldwide are beginning to think environmentally, realizing that being green creates a noticeable impact on the company’s bottom line. The study showed that mid-sized organizations are combatting the economic downturn by implementing environmentally sound policies. In 65 per cent of surveyed organizations, goals set for green IT initiatives were met or surpassed. Some of the most popular areas were storage consolidation, remote conferencing and telecommuting projects, which all returned both immediate cost reductions and environmental benefits. If you are interested in reading the study please go to http://www.ibm.com/businesscenter/smb/us/en/greenit