Here to stay

With rapid advances in technology occurring every day, business executives don't necessarily have time to keep up with all the tech trends that could improve their business operations. They might hear the chatter of a new tech tool or trend from their information technology managers but still have trouble cutting through all the jargon.

One such topic on the radar of most IT managers these days is virtualization, a computing technique that harnesses large amounts of computer power that go unused each day.

Virtualization provides the ability to maximize utilization of server hardware and software by partitioning software and running workloads "virtually." In simpler terms, consider the fact that, in most company IT environments, a considerable amount of computing power goes unused because hardware and software products generally are working together in a one-to-one ratio. And in this static relationship, IT departments have been unable to tap idle computing power present in the overall network.

IT environments employing virtualization technologies can make use of a larger percentage of the total power of the network, creating a far more cost-effective and efficient IT system.

The benefits of virtualization include:

* Hardware savings. Most IT departments don't purchase hardware on a whim; it's a significant line item in any budget. However, when businesses untie the relationship between hardware and software through virtualization, they reduce the need for additional hardware to support growth. Furthermore, when hardware requirements decline, companies expend less power. Lower power consumption not only brings financial benefits to companies but also softens their carbon footprint.

* Organizational agility. From the data center to the desktop environment, IT departments are under constant pressure to respond to organizational demands more quickly. Virtualization brings tremendous flexibility to companies experiencing increased IT workloads. Instead of going through the process of adding physical machines, loading them with software and introducing them to the network, a business using virtualization gains flexibility.

* Business continuity. No business wants to be disrupted by disaster or data loss, but all businesses are wise to be prepared for such occurrences. Virtualization is one way companies can ensure they miss as few beats as possible when the unfortunate does occur. Virtualization supports business continuity and related security initiatives by providing IT departments the ability to respond rapidly to physical machine failures and by ensuring the availability of applications.

Fortunately, virtualization is a computing technique that is being constantly refined and advanced. Software developers and manufacturers are highly focused on creating comprehensive and economical virtualization solutions.

When planning to adopt virtualization, be sure to evaluate licensing options that maximize your technology investment and to determine if the solution under consideration supports your IT needs at the desktop level and the data center. In so doing, you'll see the benefits of virtualization quickly become a reality.

Jane Dickson is the northwest area general manager for Microsoft's Small and Mid-market Solutions and Partners group.