Cloud is this year's virtualization, or ILM, or even ASP for those of us who go back a while. Cloud is the latest term of interest in the data management market, but one that is fraught with the same level of confusion and misunderstanding as those previous terms. However, cloud brings with it a certain level of interest and for good reason: virtualization technologies are one of the only methods available that offer to solve a problem plaguing IT budgets and environments. (read more)

As most know, Intel has been in a race to offer better processing performance with the goal of enabling better server consolidation. Their XEON 5500 series offers "the best generation to generation performance gain ever seen" by Intel, according to Bryce Olson who works in Intel's data center product group. The server compression that results is 9 or 10 to 1, with the XEON 5600 promising 12:1 ratios. This type of compression along with the XEON's energy efficiency features enable cost recapture within 12 months, according to Olson. (read more)

Server virtualization, for which VMware is the dominant vendor, has gained ground among OEM appliance manufacturers as a more flexible, higher-value delivery platform. This blog entry begins a series of three in which we will explore the factors contributing to and inhibiting OEM success with server virtualization, HP and Bell Micro roles in that success, and the future of where virtualization can take the OEM community. (read more)

The costs for IT departments of power and cooling as well as server management can no longer be overlooked, assumed static or just written off as a necessary evil of doing business. Recently published statistics reveal that the three (3) year operational expense (OPEX) for a single server in many cases now exceeds its acquisition costs . These growing OPEX expenditures are costs that everyone from the end-user through the distribution channel to manufacturers of the server hardware, like HP, are working to decrease. (read more)

OEMs face tough competition and slim margins so they are continually looking for ways to reduce costs while still providing exceptional products and service to their customers. One of the more favored tactics for OEMs to accomplish this is to get as many of the required components to build or support their solutions from a single source. (read more)

Delivering software specific solutions in the form of appliances have turned niche software applications such as deduplication into some of today's hottest mainstream technologies. But independent software vendors (ISVs) can still be fearful that offering their software in the form of an appliance can rob from existing revenue streams and create new support costs. In this final segment of a 3-part series, independent consultant to Bell Micro, Tom Baylark, discusses how offering software on an appliance can broaden software's appeal without increasing and even possibly lower ISV costs. (read more)

Resellers and their customers increasingly expect that the software they use for specific applications such as video surveillance and CAT Scans is delivered to them in the form of appliances for faster, turnkey deployments. But just because the software is bundled with hardware in the form of an appliance does not mean all solutions are the same, even those delivering branded appliance solutions. (read more)

Independent software vendors (ISVs) that sell software based on x86 hardware platforms face a new type of challenge in today's economic environment. While their software can run on any vendor's hardware platform, the time it takes for them to install, configure and support their software on each platform gives resellers pause and is prompting resellers and customers alike to look for the ISV's software in the form of appliance-based solutions. (read more)

Build your own (white box) or purchase an industry-branded solution for implementation of appliances - that is the question. Even today, this question continues to plague many customers as well as divide OEM businesses. Depending on the equipment (components or solutions) OEMs are quick to argue their case as to why white boxes are better than a branded solution or vice versa. However each solution has its place in the market. And, for the smart OEM, maybe the choice doesn't have to be one or the other. (read more)

This blog entry contains a series of questions DCIG posed to Jeff Otchis, OEM Program Manager at HP. Jeff's role consists of supporting and growing the ISS (Industry Standard Servers) OEM business through the Americas channel by working closely within HP and with channel partners to define business metrics and increase the revenue stream through OEM efforts. In this interview, Jeff gives us his insight and perspective on OEMs, how OEMs fit into HP's program, and how HP has been working with Bell Micro. (read more)