IBM goes for mid-market again with dynamic infrastructure offering

We're looking at new BladeCenter Express servers using the new IBM Power6 microprocessors, IBM's Comprehensive Data Protection Solution, and LotusLive Meetings. Big Blue says it's in part about enabling a more dynamic infrastructure, but also supporting more intelligent business decisions, energy efficiency and smarter working. It also appears to be about expanding the company's Express Advantage strategy re-targeted to help mid-market organisations. On the BladeCenter side, for example, there's more saleability and the ability to run AIX, IBM i and the Linux operating systems simultaneously – potentially helping IT departments to deliver better service but also flexibility and speed. IBM cites its new BladeCenter J23 Express and J43 Express, which, it says, offer secure, resilient and dynamic infrastructure solutions that helps drive cost down, reduce risk, improve energy efficiency and enhance flexibility – with an eye to consolidation and virtualisation. Meanwhile, its data protection offering "eliminates the need to shut down mission critical applications for nightly backups, and provides immediate recovery following almost any type of data loss". "Many companies don't realise how important it is to back up crucial data until after they suffer a disaster and lose everything," comments Anthony Bongiovanni, president of analyst MicroStrategies. "There are many cases of midsize companies simply not surviving a catastrophic data loss. This solution will allow people to sleep well at night." The products and solutions IBM has introduced in the last month will help our midsize clients make better business decisions, work smarter, become greener and leaner, and create an easy to manage information technology backbone," says Marc Dupaquier, general manager, IBM Global Midmarket. "Midsize businesses have the DNA to quickly recognise and seize new opportunities and very often are on the leading edge of building innovative smarter planet solutions."