VCE Reveals Vblock System Portfolio Expansion, Specialized SAP HANA Systems

VCE company LLC announced new software and hardware that will help enterprises and service providers modernize and transform their data center environments.

The announcements introduce open management capabilities for the Vblock portfolio, Vblock Specialized Systems, and new Vblock Systems designed for branch offices and mid-sized data centers.

"In three short years, VCE has pioneered and led the transition to converged infrastructure by delivering a unique customer experience. Our approach is driven by a commitment to bring simplicity and speed to data center deployments and operations," said Praveen Akkiraju, CEO of VCE. "VCE’s track record of innovation includes engineering best of breed technologies into an integrated, prepackaged system with single vendor seamless support and full system lifecycle assurance – all industry firsts. Today we take the next important steps in defining the next generation data center with the introduction of new VCE developed systems and software that converge data center operations for customers."

New elements to the VCE product portfolio include:

VCE Vision Intelligent Operations
This software enables converged infrastructure management leveraging and preserving investments in existing management frameworks. Developed for the entire Vblock portfolio, the software dynamically informs customer management frameworks about Vblock Systems, creating a ‘single-pane-of-glass’ experience and delivering a converged operations experience. Through collaborative engineering work with VMware, the software has native integration with VMware’s Virtualization and Cloud Management Portfolio. It also supports open API-enabled integration into other industry management toolsets, preserving customer investments made in their existing frameworks.

Vblock System 200
It brings the Vblock family to distributed environments and mid-sized data centers, expanding VCE’s market reach. Mid-market customers use Vblock System 200 as core infrastructure, bringing the value of converged infrastructure to their enterprise for the first time. Large customers use it as part of their distributed environment, extending their current Vblock investments across their business. Sold through the VCE partner channel, Vblock System 200 brings speed and flexibility to data center infrastructure through standardization on technologies.

Vblock System 100
It is targeted for remote office/branch office deployments, and extends the value of Vblock System 200, 300 or 700. It brings line-of-business applications from core data centers into remote office/branch office locations. Available through the VCE partner network, the Vblock System 100 allows rapid deployment and reliable, cost-effective operation of applications such as Exchange for Messaging, VMware VDI and collaboration using SharePoint or Cisco’s Unified Communications.

Vblock System 300 and System 700 enhancements
These architectures have been enhanced to provide greater configuration flexibility in optimizing compute, networking, and storage resources. Through incorporation of the Cisco, EMC and VMware technologies, Vblock System 300 and 700 families now have up to twice the capacity and performance capabilities, allowing customers to scale-up to hight level of operational performance.

Specialized Systems
VCE is introducing the first of a series of systems that are optimized with pre-installed core enterprise workloads. Vblock Specialized System SAP HANA represents another advancement in converged infrastructure, extending the benefits of convergence through the application layer. Vblock Specialized System SAP HANA has received SAP HANA Certification, enabling rapid and efficient deployment of this in-memory computing and database platform with scale and performance.

"IT Executives in the Wikibon community are modernizing their data centers and transforming operations to focus precious resources on adding sustainable business value," said David Vellante , co-founder and chief analyst, Wikibon. "Converged infrastructure such as VCE’s Vblock Systems can dramatically speed deployments, simplify infrastructure management and reduce risk. CIOs will value the fact that VCE is extending convergence to management and operations of converged infrastructure."

"We deliver best-in-class cloud services that meet the needs of UK government, military and national security activities. It is the secure and predictable infrastructure from VCE that enables our team to power key IT initiatives," said Simon Hansford , CTO of Skyscape Cloud Services. "As an underpinning element, Vblock Systems allow us to be nimble and competitive, and in today’s business arena, that is essential."

Vblock System 100 is targeted for availability in March, 2013 through VCE and its partners. Vblock System 200, VCE Vision Intelligent Operations and Vblock Specialized System SAP HANA are targeted for general availability in early Q2, 2013. Enhancements to Vblock System 300 and 700 families are available.