IBM has announced a powerful new solution to help organizations slash virtual desktop infrastructure storage requirements by up to 80 percent, allowing them to take advantage of new cloud computing models at significantly reduced costs while increasing energy efficiency.

The new phase of "cloud computing" gives end-users access to the critical information they need remotely, from any device, anywhere. IBM helps organizations benefit from this new model with its Virtual Infrastructure Access (VIA) services that give end users with internet enabled PCs and other devices the ability to access applications and data through a centrally managed computing environment. Until now, virtual desktop deployments have been hampered by the cost and complexity of managing storage, one of the most expensive hardware components of any virtual desktop environment.

Available beginning today, the new IBM Virtual Storage Optimizer (VSO) solution for VIA directly addresses this challenge, helping businesses further optimize their virtual desktop environments, while saving time and money on storage requirements. Based on an algorithm developed by IBM Research, VSO dramatically reduces the large physical storage requirements associated with storing virtual images. The solution also allows organizations to streamline operations by creating new desktop images in mere seconds or minutes, a process which previously could take up to 30 minutes -- a 75 percent reduction in the time required to create and deploy new virtual machines. This represents a tremendous operational savings for clients, and allows them to realize more immediate returns on their investments.

"IBM's Virtual Storage Optimizer is a great provisioning component in our virtual desktop infrastructure. The value of the VSO allows us to save money in storage requirements while scaling out our environment. We can deploy a number of fully customized desktops that are created in minutes instead of hours," said Lance Hundt, Computer and Network Support Specialist at Gainesville State College. "Our virtual environment experienced around 80 percent storage savings. IBM's VSO is a 'no-brainer' for anyone planning to offer a high number of virtual desktops."

"IBM has created a value-added solution for that simplifies VMware VDI deployments and drives cost savings into the overall VDI solution," said Jeff Jennings, vice president of desktop products and solutions at VMware. "We look forward to continuing to work closely together to enhance the VIA offering to meet customer needs and accelerate the adoption of VDI."

"VSO helps businesses more efficiently manage physical storage requirements and improve utilization rates, energy efficiency, availability, and scalability of critical applications," said Jan Jackman, vice president, End-User Services, IBM Global Technology Services. "VSO further extends our ability to help businesses and schools embrace cloud computing models that accommodate employee mobility and enhance end-user productivity."

Through key technology and business partnerships with VMware and Desktone IBM is helping public sector, academic institutions and financial organizations around the world resolve Internet access parity problems, address PC replacement dilemmas, and deliver resilience and reliability for critical information, all at a fraction of the price of competing solutions.

IBM Virtual Infrastructure Access Services helps businesses of all sizes transform their IT architectures by providing virtually anytime, anywhere access to applications, information and resources, from devices including, but not limited to the traditional PC.

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For more information, please visit www.ibm.com/services.