IBM PureSystems (expert integrated systems)

On April 12, 2012 the IBM corporation announced an important step on the way to a new era of the simplified computer calculations, having provided a class of "the expert integrated systems" ("expert integrated systems"). It is the first line of systems which includes the special models based on long-term experience of IBM in accomplishment of IT transactions for tens of thousands of clients in 170 countries of the world.

The idea of creation in itself and promotion of this sort of hardware-software components is not new to infrastructure of DPC. As key competitors for IBM PureSystems it is possible to consider Oracle Exa line *, Cisco UCS, solutions of consortium Virtual Computing Environment (VCE) which integrates Cisco, EMC and VMware. Attempts to enter the market with convergent solutions are made also by the HP company locating for this purpose all necessary resources. All listed initiatives anyway are directed to simplification of deployment of the infrastructure of DPC ready to cloud computing.

However unlike competitors of IBM PureSystems, properly already from the name, differ in bigger flexibility. In particular, support of four OS and five hypervisors for work as a part of different computing architecture and virtual environments is declared. Rod Adkins, the senior vice president of division of IBM Systems and Technology Group, assures that management tools within the concept of cloud computing are provided in each of chances.

The solutions PureSystems are divided into two main classes:

• PureFlex represent infrastructure components which integrate servers, DWH and network equipment.
• PureApplication is the platform with enhanced network capabilities intended for simplification of implementation of new types of applications.

In turn each of two types of systems is divided into three versions: Express, Standard and Enterprise. According to Adkins, selling prices of these solutions will begin from $100 thousand, $200 thousand and $300 thousand respectively. Final cost depends on a configuration, options, amounts of memory, disk space, quantity of nodes and so forth. The specified prices include the cost of warranty service and expanded support.

Family of the expert integrated systems of IBM – PureSystems is a result 2-billion (in US dollar) the investments into researches, developments and acquisitions performed within four years and reflecting unprecedented efforts of IBM on integration of all IT elements both physical, and virtual. The new family of systems offers clients an alternative of the present model of calculations within which the numerous and separate systems require considerable resources for deployment and service.

One of the main problems which the enterprises around the world face today is that they are forced to spend not less than 70% of the IT budgets for routine transactions and maintenance, leaving only a small share of the budget on investment into innovations [1]. According to recently conducted IBM research, two thirds of corporate projects in information technology field are executed with exceeding of the selected budget and do not keep within the diagram. The research also showed that only every fifth IT department has an opportunity to make the most part of investments in innovations.

In the new PureSystems IBM family represents three key innovations with the advent of which the organizations have an opportunity considerably to reduce costs and complexity of information technology management:

• Deep integration: In the PureSystems IBM family for the first time used the architecture combining computing resources, a storage system and network infrastructure in a high-automated and simple system in management. The integrated structure allows to increase equipment installation density in DPC: the PureSystems resources are enough for processing twice the bigger number of applications, than during the work with some other systems of IBM – therefore, the indicator of computing power per square meter doubles.
• "Expert models": In this generation of computing systems of IBM implemented PureSystems which does not have analogs, based on industrial experience of software corporation, allowing to execute automatically such basic labor-consuming transactions as setup, updating and check of compliance to system requirements.
• Integration in "cloud": All systems from the PureSystems family are held for use in "cloud" and allow the companies to develop quickly private, automatically scalable cloud environments.

The integrated architecture of PureSystems combines and optimizes all important components which are required for a modern data processing center – network infrastructure, data storage resources, computing resources, management tools, etc. As a result it turns out simple, intuitive in installation also much cheaper system in service. For example, process of deployment of PureSystems from unpacking of the equipment to complete availability for service will take three times less time, than it is required for a blade servers of IBM of the previous generation. Such type of deep integration allows PureSystems automatically and to quickly scale computing resources, network infrastructure and resources of data storage.

In a basis of PureSystems the new functionality of the software – "expert models" is put – which allows to build in professional knowledge and a know-how directly systems. This approach which does not have analogs will transform technology knowledge and experience to available to loading via the Internet and software packages, suitable for reuse. "Expert models" are offered in three categories:

• IBM Patterns (Models from IBM) — these sets of models of competences which are Previously built in and created on the basis of knowledge and experience of the best IT managers, engineers and technical specialists of IBM are created for automation of such labor-consuming transactions as configuring, deployment and updating of programs. Applications on which deployment days left earlier can be set and prepared for work in ten minutes now.
• ISV Patterns (Models from independent software providers) — IBM closely cooperated more than with 125 independent software providers (ISV) to offer applications which are certified as "PureSystems Ready" ("It is ready to use with PureSystems"). Models from the new online directory ISV Patterns, PureCentre, considerably simplify processes of acquisition, deployment and management of applications. So, now it is possible to unroll the business application for customer relationship management which deployment took three days earlier less, than for hour [See the separate press release]
• Customer Patterns (Own models of clients) — Corporate IT services can "pack" a complex of knowledge accumulated in their internal applications in the form of own Model of competence. Thus, the company which, for example, is interested in expansion on the new markets can perform this task even if it has no practical experience and qualified personnel in new regions or market segments.

IBM PureSystems simplify work with Big Data and cloud computing

The PureSystems models of the beginning of 2013 also help to eliminate complexity in development of cloud services, facilitating preparation, deployment and management of safe cloud environments. These steps strengthen leadership of IBM in the field of solutions for Big Data and computing environments of the next generation, for example, of cloud computing and also open new opportunities for work in the growing markets and with such partners and clients as suppliers of managed services (Managed Service Providers, MSP).

In all industries and regions of the world of the enterprise of the different sizes are forced to look for easier and fast ways of the analysis of large volumes of data that is more complete to meet the needs of the clients. According to the forecast of IDC, the market of technologies and services for Big Data will grow from 3.2 billion dollars in 2010 to 16.9 billion dollars by 2015. At the same time, as showed results of a research of IBM, nearly three quarters of the companies held testing, recognized need of implementation or already deployed cloud solutions; 90% of respondents said that they are going to perform it in the next three years. But, despite sharp requirement, many companies have no necessary professional staff and resources for implementation of these projects.

Among announcements of February, 2013: the PureData System for Analytics system allowing to use fully possibilities of Big Data; the compact PureApplication System accelerating deployment of cloud solutions for broader spectrum of the organizations; the PureApplication System system based on POWER7+ processors for simplification of management of transactional and analytical applications in cloud environments; and infrastructure of SmartCloud Desktop Infrastructure for simple and convenient management of solutions for virtual work places.