IBM and Nutanix offer hyperconverged computing, IT systems
The agreement is designed to improve processing of big-data analytics and expedite movement to the cloud.
IBM and Nutanix have teamed up to offer the U.S. military services a hyperconverged hardware and software product intended to improve processing, machine learning, big-data analytics, AI and ERP applications, company officials said.
The product, which combines Nutanix cloud platforms with IBM power systems, is designed to help handle larger cache sizes, streamline data influx, better organize ISR information and consolidate IT systems.
“Hyperconverged systems continue on a rapid growth trajectory, with a market size forecast of nearly $6 billion by 2020. IT teams now recognize the need, and the undeniable benefits, of embracing the next generation of datacenter infrastructure technology,” Stefanie Chiras, vice president, power systems at IBM, said in a written statement.
Nutanix developers say the technology integrates five different silos of IT into a single management plane using an interface; this provides the same benefits of connecting to the cloud, said Chris Howard, vice president of Federal for Nutanix.
The platform enables DOD to modernize its datacenter environment to increase efficiencies, while attempting to decrease operational expenses.
“The military is facing significant challenges in terms of their ability to process the ever-increasing influx of data – such as what is being generated from ISR efforts – while running these applications on legacy systems and infrastructure,” Howard said.
In addition to the enhanced computing capacity, the plan is to leverage IBM servers while enabling users and networks to operate increased IT workloads. In addition, part of the rationale for the effort includes modernizing IBM systems with Nutanix cloud technology.
“We’ve reached an agreement with IBM to deliver a power infrastructure network uplink, power storage and a Nutanix enterprise cloud platform,” Howard added.
Flexibility and elasticity is the key advantage of this partnership, IT analysts say.
“This gives you extreme amounts of flexibility to handle data streams and large workloads. This helps flex when you have a sudden influx of data,” said Alan Lawrence, IT expert and president of PCMG, an IT firm. “We see this as the future for organization that have widely varying workloads.”