New IBM cloud services
IBM's ability to deliver cloud services is made possible by technologies that include Request-Driven Provisioning (RDP), Dynamic Workload Management (DWM), Usage and Accounting and Security. Offered as part of IBM's Tivoli portfolio, these technologies give clients and ISVs the assurance of delivering quality services from a cloud computing environment with the ability to monitor and log activity, chargeback and secure identity and access management protections. New IBM cloud services areas that utilize these technologies include:
1. "Bluehouse" -- IBM is launching a free open beta for "Bluehouse," the first Web-delivered social networking and collaboration cloud service designed to connect people from different businesses. "Bluehouse" combines social networking and online collaboration tools to help businesses of all sizes to securely work together through firewalls and beyond organizational boundaries. This suite of hosted online technologies allows individuals to share documents, contacts, engage in joint project activities, host online meetings and build social networking communities via the cloud through a Web browser. The "Bluehouse" beta is available today at http://bluehouse.lotus.com.
An example of IBM's Tomorrow at Work initiative to anticipate trends in work styles, "Bluehouse" can be used by anyone to collaborate with external groups, such as partners, agencies, suppliers, customers and outside experts as easily and securely as with co-workers. Small and medium-sized businesses will benefit from minimal up-front costs and maintenance of this Software as a Service (SaaS) platform, and departments in larger companies will have a quick, simple way to work with their key stakeholders within their intranet and out on the Web.
2. Lotus Sametime Unyte -- Arranges quick, easy Web conferences including the sharing of documents, presentations or applications through any Web connection. No on-site software server deployment or support is needed. By enabling businesses to communicate in real-time with a worldwide network of employees, partners and customers, Sametime Unyte will help local companies become global trading partners. IBM has built in several enhancements to Sametime Unyte to enable global customer use through multi-language support and faster network performance. In addition, several new features make online meetings easier, including a "waiting room" for meeting participants to gather and specialized alerts and prompts for meeting hosts. Soon IBM will integrate Sametime Unyte with Lotus Notes and Lotus Sametime to allow people working in email or instant messaging to join Web conferences, with a single click of a button. Sametime Unyte is available at www.sametimeunyte.com.
3. IBM Rational Policy Tester OnDemand -- Helps reduce online risks by automating Web content scanning to isolate privacy, quality and accessibility compliance issues. Available as a subscription on an annual basis, this software helps improve trust by detecting online usability and compliance-related issues before they affect Web site visitors.
4. IBM Rational AppScan OnDemand -- Scans Web applications for security bugs, allowing customers to immediately identify sources of online risk without the necessary time and investment for in-house training and resources.
5. Telelogic Focal Point -- Helps customers better manage their software investment by providing product management teams with the ability to collect, analyze and prioritize product features in line with broader organizational goals. Telelogic Focal Point enhances communication by centralizing the product information shared by product management, engineering, marketing and other stakeholders.
6. Remote Data Protection -- Reduces the risk associated with information protection, enabling clients to maximize the value of information and evolve to a service-enabled information infrastructure. IBM Global Technology Services, through its acquisition of Arsenal Digital Solutions, is introducing Onsite Data Protection and Remote Data Protection. The service offerings enable clients to achieve a rapid time to protection for their business data and to remotely recover it as a cloud service 24/7.
