New cloud solutions based on IBM System z mainframe

IBM unveils new cloud solutions based on the System z mainframe to reduce operating costs and quickly deploy cloud services. In particular, IBM announces the first cloud-based platform based on System z - IBM Enterprise Cloud System.

The IBM Enterprise Cloud System integrated platform is based on open standards and is designed for those customers who want to quickly deploy a secure cloud environment capable of supporting critical workloads. IBM also introduces a new flexible tariff plan, allowing service providers to pay not the total cost of the system, but only the computing capabilities used.

The mainframe has unique advantages as an enterprise cloud infrastructure platform. It provides support for up to 6,000 virtual machines within a single system, a secure multi-user environment, and dynamic redistribution of workloads. Due to its high performance and easy scaling, the overall cost of using System Linux cloud platforms based on Linux can be 55 percent lower compared to x86 cloud infrastructure.

The IBM Enterprise Cloud System comes preloaded with an automated cloud management and control system that speeds the deployment of cloud services. This offer combines zEnterprise hardware (zBC12 or zEC12), v7000 or DS8000 storage systems in one IaaS solution, in combination with IBM z / VM, IBM Wave for z / VM or IBM Cloud Management Suite (SmartCloud Orchestrator, OMEGAMON XE and Tivoli Storage Manager). All this provides a base for infrastructure and fully automated cloud management. Using the IBM Enterprise Cloud System will help IT organizations and cloud service providers offer their customers an outstanding level of service and a system that can handle critical workloads. Using the capabilities of the mainframe in the cloud service removes the probable security concerns and failures commonly encountered when using clouds.
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The new pricing system for System z - IBM MSP Utility Pricing - works within IBM Global Financing and offers a pay-as-you-go system that makes the mainframe's technological capabilities available to Managed Service Providers (MSP).

As cloud services account for more and more workloads of enterprise IT systems, customers more often use mainframes as a platform for cloud infrastructure. For example, Africa's largest cloud service provider, Business Connexion (BCX), is working on an innovative out-of-the-box cloud service that will enable telecommunications companies to provide Internet access to previously unconnected regions. These mobile data centers will use the same amount of energy as home appliances. BCX will thus be able to provide Internet connectivity to 85 percent of Africans who previously did not have access to the network.