IBM Helping Customers to Increase Efficiency and Insights with the Launch of PowerLinux Solutions

Additions to IBM’s PureFlex System and Power Systems Portfolios Demonstrate Ongoing Commitment to Linux.

IBM today introduced new IBM PowerLinux Systems and Solutions to help customers exploit the cost efficiency of Linux and virtualization for business-critical workloads. IBM PowerLinux Solutions offer deep integration of new Linux-specific POWER7 processor-based hardware with industry-standard Linux software from Red Hat and SUSE for analyzing Big Data, managing industry-specific applications and delivering open source infrastructure services.

The new IBM PowerLinux Solutions are more affordable for businesses of all sizes with the introduction of two new Linux-specific servers: a system for the recently announced IBM PureFlex System, part of the new IBM PureSystems family of systems with integrated expertise; as well as a standalone high-performance, energy-efficient IBM PowerLinux System that is value-priced for the mid market and above.  

The new PowerLinux Solutions and supporting systems are designed to provide customers with lower deployment time and costs, and greater performance, dependability and workload density than competitive x86 platforms at similar price points. This extends the ability for IBM to address customers’ Linux application needs more effectively, just as it does for UNIX (AIX) and IBM i application requirements with Power Systems.

IBM is offering the new integrated and workload-optimized PowerLinux Solutions in conjunction with its ISV and OEM partners, starting with three specific Linux-centric workloads. IBM PowerLinux Solutions are designed to match each workload’s specific performance requirements, offering customers a simpler Linux-based IT environment that can help reduce infrastructure costs and aide in freeing IT staff to focus on bringing innovative products and services to market faster.

“Our tests have shown excellent performance results for Zucchetti human resources and ERP industry application software running on the new PowerLinux Systems – an improvement of at least 40 percent compared to Linux machines based on Intel x86,” said Alberto Cazzulani , HR Business Unit Technologies & Services Manager for Zucchetti Group, a leading provider of software and technology solutions with more than 450,000 installations and 85,000 clients.

By basing the new solutions on lower cost Linux-specific Power Systems and PowerVM for Linux virtualization technology, IBM can help provide more value to customers at a lower cost than others offering Linux on other commodity x86 servers. In addition, replacing aging x86-based Windows servers with PowerLinux Systems and utilizing open source applications, clients may further reduce costs by reducing or eliminating high proprietary software license fees and upgrade charges.

“With PowerLinux, IBM has made a real conscious effort to lower the acquisition price for customers who have wanted to take advantage of POWER to run their Linux environments,” said Andy Lin, Solutions Consultant, Mark III Systems. “So now clients who perhaps would not have looked at IBM systems in the past are saying, ‘This is actually a really good idea – this is very compelling for us.’ That not only represents an opportunity for the greater IBM, but as an IBM Premier Business Partner, it’s a tremendous opportunity for Mark III Systems as well.”

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