IBM has introduced new technologies for its eServer xSeries line of
Intel-based servers that the company claimed would increase uptime
and lower operating costs for enterprises by 80% over servers from
Dell.
IBM said its results were based on an IBM server availability
measurement tool using methodology and research data from analyst
group Gartner.
IBM said the measurement tool shows that over a five-year period,
IBM's "self-healing" technology could save a medium-sized business
running generic applications on an IBM eServer x220 up to $53,110
(£37,250) in operating costs compared with a similarly configured
Dell 1400SC server. IBM said the savings for large enterprises
could be as much as $553,280 (£388,100) in operating costs over the
same period.
IBM is third behind Compaq and Dell in the worldwide Intel server
market. In the US Intel server market, Dell leads, followed by
Compaq, with IBM in the third spot.
The technology was developed as part of IBM's Project eLiza
initiative to create intelligent systems capable of managing,
protecting and healing themselves automatically.
The program forms part of IBM's Director 3.1 system management
software for the IBM eServer xSeries. IBM said the software is
designed to automatically predict when server problems might occur,
call another computer for support and order parts. IBM is then able
to contact the customer with a solution, such as sending a customer
service representative on-site or delivering a new part before the
old part has stopped working.
The software is also able to predict server bottlenecks such as
excessive processor or memory consumption that can lead to poor
performance or even unplanned downtime, IBM said. This
self-optimising technology alerts the customer in advance of the
bottleneck, makes recommendations on how to avoid it and provides a
response when the alert is received. Because the server monitors
itself, the customer is freed up to concentrate on his core
business.
Fewer people are needed to run the system, because everything is
automatic.
"The cost of running a server is more than just the initial
hardware acquisition cost, there's the human costs for running and
managing a server as well as the cost of server downtime," said
Deepak Advani, vice-president of IBM eServer xSeries, in the
statement. "IBM's systems management solution, IBM Director, is
designed to offer customers improved server availability with more
automated capabilities, requiring less staff to run the systems."
A Dell spokesman would not comment about IBM's cost-saving claims
but he said Dell had grown faster than any other company in the
Intel server market. He also highlighted that market research firm
Technology Business Research rated Dell number one in customer
satisfaction for 16 out of the past 17 quarters.
Mark Melenovsky, an analyst at IDC, said IBM's self management
tools are a key value-added service in the server market.
"This is definitely a few steps in the right direction for IBM,"
Melenovsky said. "While Dell has its own management system, it is
looking for partners to help develop this technology. But IBM has
everything in-house and definitely has the in-house advantage."