A grid infrastructure may not be the case for certain organizations. The reasons for this may be one of enterprise size, IT policy, outsourcing model, lack of budget, or ISV certification. In these circumstances it is generally recognised as good practice for applications with non-intensive workloads to use server virtualisation in order to consolidate. However, where maximising consolidation, availability and agility are of paramount importance, a combination of server virtualisation and grid-based solutions are the best way to maximise the benefits of consolidation, availability and agility. Working in tandem, they can ensure enhanced server virtualisation, the ability to dynamically scale within and across nodes, and the dynamic resizing of virtual nodes. Compared to other models of computing, IT systems designed and implemented in the grid style deliver a higher quality of service, at a lower cost, with greater flexibility. Higher quality of service results from having n...

In a recent survey from Forbes, a big question poped up. Is the demand for IT services down or up? Well, the experts have said it right that "demand is still very strong". It's the companies who are cutting down budgets on new assets, hires, software, and hardware. They are trying to meet customer's needs with existing resources. Infact, they are curtailing consultants rather than consultancy. Most of the data is digitized and the volume of transactions are growing like anything. A robust data management infrastructure through data consolidation (green data center) and virtualization have some answers to cut down on cost and might bring a smile on the CIOs face to add some value to the customer's growing needs of humangous transactions. The transation-volume-revenue, equation has broken down. But, the amount of work involved is growing at it's own pace. In the early years of 2000 the focus was on outsourcing when we were trapped in similar recession then. Now,...