Posts Tagged ‘virtualisation’

Trends: NetApp Predictions For 2020

Friday, January 3rd, 2020

Atish Gude, NetApp’s Chief Strategy Officer shares three predictions for 2020, putting the spotlight on 5G, Blockchain and infrastructure virtualisation solutions.

* This article is contributed by Atish Gude, based on his professional experience and personal opinions.

What does 2020 hold in store?

What does 2020 hold in store?

2019 was a year of rapid innovation – and disruption – for both the IT industry and the broader business community.

With the widespread adoption of hybrid multicloud as the de-facto architecture for enterprise customers, organisations everywhere are under tremendous pressure to modernise their infrastructure and deliver tangible business value around data-intensive applications and workloads.

Multiclouds & Virtualisation

Multiclouds & Virtualisation

As a result, organisations are shifting from on-premises to leverage public cloud services, building private clouds, and moving from disk to flash in data centers – sometimes concurrently.

These transformations open the door to enormous potential, but also introduce the unintended consequence of rising IT complexity.

We predict that a demand for simplicity and customisability will be the number-one factor driving IT purchasing decisions in 2020.

Data-driven transformations

Data-driven transformations

Vendors will need to provide customers modern, flexible technologies with the choice of how to use and consumes these technologies to meet evolving business models.

As IT departments look to de-emphasise maintenance and hardware, reduce overhead, and adopt pay-as-you-go models, simplicity and choice will be key.

Achieving this simplicity will serve as the foundation for companies as they navigate the exciting technological trends we’ve identified below.

(more…)

Singtel & VMware set up Digital Transformation Foundry in Singapore

Monday, April 9th, 2018

Singtel and VMware signs a memorandum of understanding at CIO Forum 2018 to jointly provide solutions to accelerate the digital transformation of enterprises across the Asia Pacific region.

Pat Gelsinger, CEO VMware with Bill Chang, CEO, Group Enterprise, Singtel, discussing the launch of the first Digital Transformation Foundry at CIO Forum in Singapore. “Digitalisation lies at the heart of most companies’ transformation. Many companies share the need to migrate to and operate in the cloud, get their networks software-driven in order to create workplaces of the future. The Foundry will empower customers to implement an integrated cloud solution with ease. We will help them design, secure and deploy cloud-enabled solutions, in short, customise the flexible infrastructure they need to accelerate digital transformation, adopt new and disruptive technologies, and boost competitiveness,” said Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer for Group Enterprise at Singtel.

Pat Gelsinger, CEO VMware with Bill Chang, CEO, Group Enterprise, Singtel, discussing the launch of the first Digital Transformation Foundry at CIO Forum in Singapore. “Digitalisation lies at the heart of most companies’ transformation. Many companies share the need to migrate to and operate in the cloud, get their networks software-driven in order to create workplaces of the future. The Foundry will empower customers to implement an integrated cloud solution with ease. We will help them design, secure and deploy cloud-enabled solutions, in short, customise the flexible infrastructure they need to accelerate digital transformation, adopt new and disruptive technologies, and boost competitiveness,” said Bill Chang, Chief Executive Officer for Group Enterprise at Singtel.

Both companies will set up their first Digital Transformation Foundry in Singapore, designed as a “virtual sandbox” for customers to conduct proof-of-concept experiments to help bring their digital solutions to market more quickly.

(more…)

Event: VMware hosts CIO Forum 2018 in Singapore (9-11 April)

Sunday, April 8th, 2018

VMware Hosts CIO Forum in Singapore, urging CIOs to overcome digital impasse to pursue greater digital transformation (DX).

New research indicates that only 1.2 percent of organizations in the region meet the gold standard of being “digital disruptors”. In the photo: Duncan Hewett, SVP & GM for Asia Pacific & Japan, VMware, briefing media in Singapore.

“The Asia-Pacific region differs in technological maturity, but one thing is common – the recognition of digital transformation as a business catalyst. In order to enable digital transformation progress in the region, it is essential for organizations to integrate their existing products and services – without silos,” said Duncan Hewett, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific and Japan, VMware.

VMware is hosting more than 120 C-level executives at the annual VMware CIO Forum for Southeast Asia and Korea, showcasing a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to accelerate performance and drive results from digital investment into the next stage of growth.

“IT environments in APJ are now a mixture of legacy infrastructure and public and private clouds, and that’s what we hear from some of our largest customers. VMware is committed to working with our customers to outline the strategic measures they need to address, enabling them for success and creating new possibilities for their businesses,” said Hewett.

With enterprises and governments in Southeast Asia prioritising digital transformation as a cornerstone in business growth and smart nation blueprints, DX is a key focus area at the event.

In partnership with the International Data Corporation (IDC), C-level executives will focus on the next progression of the DX journey to better understand the scope and impact of DX and facilitate an in-depth analysis of DX investment relative to strategic enterprise priorities.

Based on findings from their latest (conducted in 2017) Digital Transformation study in the region, titled “IDC MaturityScape Benchmark: Digital Transformation in APEJ, 2018”, organisations in Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) (APEJ) have progressed from resisting digital transformation to exploring digital transformation initiatives.

(more…)

New arrivals: Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac with Windows 10 integration

Wednesday, August 19th, 2015

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac launches with Windows 10 integration and OS X El Capitan readiness. Three versions available from today. Pricing for new and existing users below.

Parallels Desktop 11 now features Always on Cortana, Quick Look for Windows and Travel Mode to conserve battery life for road warriors.

Parallels Desktop 11 now features Always on Cortana, Quick Look for Windows and Travel Mode to conserve battery life for road warriors.

Exactly one year from the launch of Desktop 10, Parallels has released the new Desktop 11 which promises up to 50 percent performance improvements and makes Microsoft’s Cortana available to Mac users in OS X.

In addition to the consumer and business edition, Desktop 11 has a new Pro Edition that gives developers, designers and power users more tools and resources to be productive on a Mac.

The Pro Edition has all the features of the Business Edition except for the centralised administration and management (including single key) feature for mass deployment and mass management of Parallels Desktop and Windows VMs for employees.

Also new is a new subscription based licensing scheme for the Business Edition and Pro Edition, while the standard consumer edition remains on a perpetual license scheme.

The various editions and their pricing are summarised below.

(more…)

New arrivals: Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac with OS X Yosemite integration

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Parallels boasts that Desktop 10 will be able to launch Office applications up to 50 percent faster and deliver up to 30 percent better battery life.

Upgrade available now (S$58), Full version available from 26 August (S$98).

Starting from today (20 August), current users can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac online.

Starting from today (20 August), current users can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac online.

Parallels today launched Parallels Desktop® 10 for Mac and Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac (Enterprise Edition) – software that enables Windows applications to be run on Macs.

New built-in intelligence and support for Apple’s latest operating systems – including OS X Yosemite – greatly improves ease-of-use for both business users and consumers, allowing them to forget about the operating system and focus on the task at hand.

Parallels Desktop 10 will bring many of the announced features of Mac OS X Yosemite to Windows and Windows applications, supporting iCloud Drive, iMessages and SMS text sharing from Windows, and control of virtual machines from Spotlight preview and Finder QuickLook.

Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8 on Mavericks.

Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8 on Mavericks.

New ease-of-use improvements include Wizards that guide users through optimizing their experience, improved performance and battery life, and improved usability between operating systems so that people can complete tasks more quickly.
(more…)

Infographic: 10 IT innovations that changed our lives

Saturday, June 1st, 2013

Technology advancements and developments move so fast these days it’s so easy to take them for granted. For those old enough, can you remember the world before the Internet came about?

Developed by SolarWinds Head Geek, Lawrence Garvin, this infographic explores tech developments - from wireless networking and virtualisation to basic screenshot tools and everything in between - which have significantly impacted our lives, but that we perhaps never thought we actually needed. Click to view full enlarged version.

Developed by SolarWinds Head Geek, Lawrence Garvin, this infographic explores tech developments – from wireless networking and virtualisation to basic screenshot tools and everything in between – which have significantly impacted our lives, but that we perhaps never thought we actually needed. Click to view full enlarged version.

And not too long ago, before the proliferation of mobile devices, wasn’t it so troublesome to make a call or check something out while on the road?

These innovations have definitely made it much easier for us to do many things that used to be so much more tedious and time-consuming to accomplish.

But here’s some food for thought – has our lives actually become easier?

Do you sometimes feel that life in the past was somewhat more blissful?

Perhaps it is our human propensity to fully utilise our time that – instead of sitting back complacently to enjoy the extra time gained from IT innovations – we try to use the additional time gained to do even more.

And the bosses certainly expect that.

On top of that, thanks to greater global and mobile connectivity, your boss can contact you no matter where you are.

And if he/she is in the opposite time zone, start getting used to taking calls in the middle of the night.

The result is that our lives have become more hectic.

Perhaps, life back then was really more blissful.

Apart from the list above that was compiled by Lawrence Garvin, the rest of this post reflect my own thoughts about the impact of technology on our lives.

The line of thought may sound negative, but I still love the beauty of technology, especially its ability to help the less fortunate.

IT Trends: Dell shares its technology outlook for 2013

Monday, January 7th, 2013

What are Dell’s foci for 2013. Transforming, Connecting, Informing and Protecting – says Ng Tian Beng, Managing Director, Dell South Asia & Korea.

Ng Tian Beng, Managing Director, Dell South Asia & Korea

Ng Tian Beng, Managing Director, Dell South Asia & Korea

Based on feedback from his customers, Tian Beng highlights two common issues that keep  them awake at night.

  1. Firstly, businesses are spending too much of their IT budget on powering their datacenter and not powering their business.
  2. Secondly, customers want solutions that are help them innovate rather than merely keep the lights on.

Ng anticipates that, in 2013, the technology priorities of Dell’s customers along 4 key themes – Transform, Connect, Inform and Protect.

Below are the details of the four themes.

(more…)

Survey: Cloud gaining traction in Singapore with adoption on the rise

Friday, November 9th, 2012

The 3rd annual VMware Cloud Index shows 84% of respondents have adopted or are planning to adopt cloud solutions.

Infographic showing the findings for Singapore from the VMware Cloud Index 2012.

Infographic showing the findings for Singapore from the VMware Cloud Index 2012. Click to enlarge.

The 84% cloud adoption rate shows an increasing trend from 63% in 2011 and 53% in 2010. The findings were released in conjunction with the annual vForum in Singapore.

“Organisations in Singapore are increasingly recognizing the strategic role that cloud computing can play in enabling them to be more productive, stay competitive, and enter new markets,” said Nicholas Tan, country manager, VMware Singapore.

Of the respondents who have not implemented a cloud initiative but were planning to, 55% plan to implement within the next 18 months.

73% of respondents in Singapore said their business outlook for 2012 and 2013 would include growth and expansion, or consolidation with some growth, signaling more potential opportunities to increase cloud adoption.

77% described cloud computing as a top priority or highly relevant to their organization, and 88% agree that cloud will empower their business by simplifying access to IT resources.

69% agree that their organization needs to pursue cloud initiatives or risk falling behind competitors.

“By leveraging VMware solutions on a subscription basis from our telco and service provider partners such as Fujitsu Asia and SingTel, customers can have their data reside in Singapore, and only pay for the services that they consume,” said Kevin Pratesa, director, Service Providers and Public Cloud, VMware ASEAN.

When rating the top reasons for implementing cloud computing in Singapore, respondents strongly rated the need to empower the business by simplifying access to IT resources (80%); supporting a more mobile and flexible workforce (77%); and ensuring that they only pay for the IT they actually use (77%) as factors driving cloud adoption.

The VMware Cloud Index 2012 revealed that the barriers to cloud adoption in Singapore continue to persist and include data privacy, residency, or “loss of control” (72%); cost (69%); and availability or performance concerns (67%).

Despite growing cloud adoption, only one in two respondents (50%) in Singapore agree that their organization is investing in training for cloud-related skills, and 32% say their company is actively seeking to hire new IT staff with cloud computing expertise.

Virtualisation demand drives rapid growth for Veeam Software in APAC

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

Veeam has reported 67% (Q3 2012) year-on-year growth in APAC and has 50,000 customers around the world.

Veeam Software develops solutions for VMware backup, Hyper-V backup, and virtualisation management.

Veeam Software develops solutions for VMware backup, Hyper-V backup, and virtualisation management.

Veeam Software is a provider of backup, replication and virtualisation management solutions for VMware vSphere and Windows Server Hyper-V.

“What makes Veeam so successful is that it’s been built from the ground up specifically for virtualised environments, and hence is designed with the ability to innovate at an extremely fast rate while meeting the most stringent data recovery and protection objectives,” said Don Williams, Regional Director APAC, Veeam Software.

The company has capitalised on market opportunities for virtualisation, disaster recovery and cloud technologies in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region.

This is consistent with the findings of the VMware Cloud Index 2012 which underscored the importance and growth of cloud computing in the region.

Strong demand in APAC has resulted in a year-on-year revenue growth of 48% in Q3 2012 from new licenses.

Veeam’s cloud services business has seen a particularly strong uptake this year, having grown 58% in the last quarter alone. Veeam’s customer base has increased by 28% in the region this year.

Veeam’s presence in Pan Singapore has seen a 110% YoY increase in revenue growth and 86% YoY growth in new licenses revenue in the third quarter.

Simple and speedy data restoration in times of recovery.

Simple and speedy data restoration in times of recovery.

Veeam has recently opened new offices in Singapore and plans to expand further across the region in 2013, having already doubled the headcount in the Singapore team.

Veeam at VMware’s vForum

Raymond Goh, Senior Systems Engineer at Veeam in Singapore.

Raymond Goh, Senior Systems Engineer at Veeam in Singapore.

I had a chat with Raymond Goh, Senior Systems Engineer at Veeam in Singapore, during VMware’s vForum in Singapore.

Raymond gave me a rundown of Veeam’s solutions for data protection and comprehensive systems management for virtualisation.

Two aspects of Veeam’s offerings impressed me during our conversation.

The scalability and flexibility of its solutions means that it can cater to both large enterprises and organisations, as well as smaller SMBs.

The ability of Veeam’s solutions to work simultaneously with both VMware and Hyper-V solutions translate to cost savings for customers who operate both in a mixed virtual environment, since Veeam does not charge separately for catering to two environments.

Solutions from Veeam Software

Veeam Backup & Replication is Veeam’s solution for VMBackup, while Veeam ONE is a single solution for real-time monitoring, resource optimisation and management reporting for VMware and Hyper-V.

Veeam Software develops solutions for VMware backup, Hyper-V backup, and virtualisation management.

Veeam also provides free virtualisation tools.

The Veeam Management Pack (MP) and Smart Plug-in (SPI) extend enterprise monitoring to VMware through Microsoft System Center and HP Operations Manager.

VMware Cloud Index 2012 underscores cloud importance in Asia Pacific

Wednesday, November 7th, 2012

The 3rd annual study by VMware shows cloud computing entering a new stage of evolution in the region as it highlights the growth and importance of cloud as a business enabler.

Infographic showing the findings for APJ from the VMware Cloud Index 2012.

Infographic showing the findings for APJ from the VMware Cloud Index 2012. Click to enlarge.

The results of the study was presented at the annual vForums in Asia. Here are several key trends revealed by the VMware Cloud Index.

Key trends for APJ

  • Despite global economic concerns, nearly 80% of respondents in Asia Pacific indicates that their companies’ business outlooks for 2012 and 2013 include some growth and/or expansion.

    VMware Cloud Index 2012 findings for Singapore.

    VMware Cloud Index 2012 findings for Singapore. Click to enlarge.

  • Cloud computing is seen by respondents as enabling the business to optimise IT (85%), reduce costs (80%), and supporting a more mobile and flexible workforce (81%).
  • The CIO is increasingly empowered, with 44% of them cited as a final cloud decision maker. CEOs remain the top decision maker at 52%, but this is down 6% compared to 2011.
  • 71% of respondents state that cloud computing has made their jobs less complex.
  • Top barriers to cloud adoption are data privacy, residency, or “loss of control” (69%); security (64%); and cost (62%).

Businesses in APJ (Japan and Asia Pacific region) are forecasting business growth and see cloud computing as an integral part of their strategy.

“There is a transformation taking place in the industry and the datacenter has become a more automated place,” observed Andrew Dutton, senior vice president and general manager, VMware Asia Pacific and Japan.

There is an increased readiness for cloud and indication that it can provide competitive advantage, with 67% of APJ organisations believing that they currently have the skills and infrastructure necessary to manage a private cloud.

68% stated that without pursuing cloud initiatives, they could fall behind the competition.

With 83% of organisations stating that cloud can empower their businesses by simplifying access to IT resources, companies are looking to leverage cloud computing as a business enabler.

“VMware’s software defined approach to the datacenter not only helps organisations address concerns about integration, hybrid management and security, but also allows business leaders to leverage cloud computing in a way that aligns to their business needs,” Dutton added.

On the other hand, IT today is struggling to impose governance, control, access and self-service over heterogeneous cloud services.

VMware is working to solve this challenge – with the introduction of the software defined datacenter as the tenet to cloud computing.

IT has also evolved from its traditional role as a builder of services to become a broker of services and infrastructure capacity.

In the era of the enterprise hybrid cloud, there are new and increased responsibilities for IT, and CIOs will need to be at the helm to bridge the gap between business and IT and manage this transformation.

About the VMware Cloud Index

The 3rd VMware Cloud Index in 2012 is the largest regional cloud-related study in Asia Pacific.

Forrester Consulting and ITR (for Japan only) were commissioned to conduct the annual research in September and October 2012.

Approximately 6,500 senior IT practitioners across the APJ (in eleven countries/regions: Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand) were surveyed this year.

Check out the infographics for your region here.