In a move that could spur the rise of the nascent computing model known as "cloud," IBM today said it would introduce a program to validate the resiliency of any company delivering applications or services to clients in the cloud environment. As a result, customers can quickly and easily identify trustworthy providers that have passed a rigorous evaluation, enabling them to more quickly and confidently reap the business benefits of cloud services.
Cloud computing is a model for network-delivered services, in which the user sees only the service and does not view the implementation or infrastructure required for its delivery. The success to date of cloud services like storage, data protection and enterprise applications, has created a large influx of new providers. However, unpredictable performance and some high-profile downtime and recovery events with newer cloud services have created a challenge for customers evaluating the move to cloud.
IBM's new "Resilient Cloud Validation" program will allow businesses who collaborate with IBM on a rigorous, consistent and proven program of benchmarking and design validation to use the IBM logo: "Resilient Cloud" when marketing their services.
Operating the most data centers in the world, IBM has delivered remote technology services to clients for decades and has developed strict standards for service quality - from infrastructure design to process excellence. Through its new Resilient Cloud Validation program, IBM's Business Continuity and Resiliency Services unit will build on its 40-year history of eliminating downtime in the most demanding business environments to help cloud service providers meet the highest standards of resiliency.
IBM announced today that Allscripts, a leader in software, services, information and connectivity solutions for physicians and other healthcare providers, is the first company to begin the validation process. The designation is expected to enable Allscripts to expand its reach and improve quality of service, while providing its clients the assurance that sensitive patient information or medical documents will be encrypted and easily recovered at a moment's notice.
"Data security, patient privacy and uninterrupted clinician access to real-time information are key concerns for the healthcare providers we serve. By partnering with IBM, we're able to deliver an enterprise-class data recovery service through the cloud, to even the smallest clinical practices," said XX, Allscripts. "We're dedicated to continuing to provide highly available cloud services to our clients, and IBM is a critical partner for us - we look forward to continued work with IBM on the Resilient Cloud Validation program."
"Every cloud service provider has the same objective: provide an uninterrupted flow of information for their business," said Philippe Jarre, IBM General Manager of Business Continuity and Resiliency Services. "Since these providers power other businesses, there is a 'network effect' of downtime, it's absolutely critical to build to the highest standards of resiliency."
GETTING STARTED
IBM's Business Continuity and Resiliency Services have 155 data centers around the globe, and offer a range of capabilities from advisory services to fully-managed resilient infrastructures. These teams are available today to evaluate current cloud architectures against resiliency best practices, identify, quantify, and prioritize gaps and risks, then provide the ongoing design assistance and management expertise to run more resilient infrastructures.
The IBM "Resilient Cloud" logo program will be available in early 2009.
For more information about IBM's cloud computing initiatives, please visit www.ibm.com/cloud
Cloud computing is a model for network-delivered services, in which the user sees only the service and does not view the implementation or infrastructure required for its delivery. The success to date of cloud services like storage, data protection and enterprise applications, has created a large influx of new providers. However, unpredictable performance and some high-profile downtime and recovery events with newer cloud services have created a challenge for customers evaluating the move to cloud.
IBM's new "Resilient Cloud Validation" program will allow businesses who collaborate with IBM on a rigorous, consistent and proven program of benchmarking and design validation to use the IBM logo: "Resilient Cloud" when marketing their services.
Operating the most data centers in the world, IBM has delivered remote technology services to clients for decades and has developed strict standards for service quality - from infrastructure design to process excellence. Through its new Resilient Cloud Validation program, IBM's Business Continuity and Resiliency Services unit will build on its 40-year history of eliminating downtime in the most demanding business environments to help cloud service providers meet the highest standards of resiliency.
IBM announced today that Allscripts, a leader in software, services, information and connectivity solutions for physicians and other healthcare providers, is the first company to begin the validation process. The designation is expected to enable Allscripts to expand its reach and improve quality of service, while providing its clients the assurance that sensitive patient information or medical documents will be encrypted and easily recovered at a moment's notice.
"Data security, patient privacy and uninterrupted clinician access to real-time information are key concerns for the healthcare providers we serve. By partnering with IBM, we're able to deliver an enterprise-class data recovery service through the cloud, to even the smallest clinical practices," said XX, Allscripts. "We're dedicated to continuing to provide highly available cloud services to our clients, and IBM is a critical partner for us - we look forward to continued work with IBM on the Resilient Cloud Validation program."
"Every cloud service provider has the same objective: provide an uninterrupted flow of information for their business," said Philippe Jarre, IBM General Manager of Business Continuity and Resiliency Services. "Since these providers power other businesses, there is a 'network effect' of downtime, it's absolutely critical to build to the highest standards of resiliency."
GETTING STARTED
IBM's Business Continuity and Resiliency Services have 155 data centers around the globe, and offer a range of capabilities from advisory services to fully-managed resilient infrastructures. These teams are available today to evaluate current cloud architectures against resiliency best practices, identify, quantify, and prioritize gaps and risks, then provide the ongoing design assistance and management expertise to run more resilient infrastructures.
The IBM "Resilient Cloud" logo program will be available in early 2009.
For more information about IBM's cloud computing initiatives, please visit www.ibm.com/cloud
