IBM technology lowers cost of Intel servers by 80% over Dell

IBM announced new technology designed to dramatically reduce thecost of operating IBM's @serverxSeries line of Intel-basedservers.

The technology can provide up to 80 percent in cost savings andincreased uptime over Dell systems, according to results of an IBMserver availability measurement tool based on Gartner methodology andresearch data.

Over a five-year period, for example, the new measurement toolestimates that IBM self-healing technology could save a medium-sizedbusiness running generic applications on an IBM @serverx220 asmuch as $53,110 in operating costs over a similarly configured Dell1400SC server. The savings are even more dramatic for large businesses,which could save an estimated $553,280 in operating costs over the sameperiod.

Developed as part of IBM's Project eLiza initiative to createintelligent systems capable of managing, protecting and healingthemselves automatically, the new technology is part of IBM Director3.1 system management software for the IBM @serverxSeries. Thesoftware is designed to predict when server problems may occur, callanother computer for help and even order necessary parts -- allautomatically.

IBM Director has helped Sea Island Resort in Georgia maintainreliability and availability of systems. The resort maintains its dailyoperational systems on IBM @serverxSeries systems, which havereplaced Dell systems, to support remote workloads.

"Our business requires high availability and reliability to exceedour guests expectations," said Hensell Harris, network administrator atSea Island Resort. "With the capabilities of IBM Director, we canmanage our systems with less effort, by providing enhanced service andsupport with fewer number of staff members."