In a closed media session today, Dell announced new solutions optimised to help customers of all sizes from branch office to scale-out data centres. With the new “Private Cloud in a Box” – the all-new Dell PowerEdge VRTX (pronounced ‘vertex’) server, Dell is bringing enterprise-class converged technology to the small and medium business (SMB) market, minus the complexity and cost associated with conventional deployment.
Present at the media launch were KT Ong, general manager Commercial Business, Dell Malaysia; Norhizam Kadir, National Sales Manager, Intel Malaysia; and Foo See Han, Server Product Solutions Manager for South Asia, Dell.
Dell has over the years moved from successful computer retailer to an end-to-end IT solutions provider, addressing needs of the modern customer for simplicity and business agility.
A recent IDC report reveals that spending on converged system will grow at a compound rate of more than 54% over the 2011-2016 forecast period. This growth is driven by lower costs and efficiency related to operations and management of IT, simplification of vendor engagement and faster time to productivity with IT system updates.
Here are some recent hard facts regarding SME IT trends in the Asia Pacific region. 90% of SME companies do not have a dedicated IT vendor. While 70% companies use cloud apps, 47% never backup their data. 46% reportedly lose data resulting in loss of revenue. And yet, according to research commissioned by Dell and Intel in 2013, US SMBs and startups acknowledge that technology is key to successful growth of a business. Despite anticipated growth, surveyed companies say technology supports day-to-day operations, and not viewed as a strategic asset.
Dell PowerEdge VRTX – converged IT solution
Dell’s new converged and integrated solutions aims to address these needs and change current mindsets regarding technology solutions. The new Dell PowerEdge VRTX, described as a “Private Cloud in a Box” is the first converged IT solution tailor-made for remote and small office environments, with enterprise-class capabilities in a compact, space-saving design.
The new server tower packs four server nodes with dual Intel Xeon E-series processors each, includes up to 48TB of storage, integrated redundant power supply, cabling and networking. All this power packed into a 5U rack form factor. Due to its compact chassis, PowerEdge VRTX uses up to 86% fewer cables than conventional servers, eliminating complexity and management hassle.
Dell’s Server Product Solutions Manager for South Asia, Foo See Han during his product presentation, pointed out that Dell has kept server chassis design generally unchanged, therefore ensuring investment protection and longer product lifecycle.
With Dell OpenManage Essentials for PowerEdge VRTX, comprehensive, remote, agent-free systems management capabilities come built-in, offering time-saving and reduced potential for human error. Based on research, 75% of server downtime is due to human error. Dell is the first to offer Geographical View of distributed IT assets in detailed form up to street and building level. Dell’s Chassis Management Controller (CMC) embedded console, bundled with every PowerEdge VRTX system, users have a unified and streamlined control over server, storage and networking components.
As all systems come pre-configured, channel partners and integrators can achieve greater value, with advanced business solutions that can be enhanced with software and services.
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Accelerating delivery – Dell Active Infrastructure
To complement the release of the PowerEdge VRTX, Dell also announced its next wave of converged infrastructure offerings – Active Infrastructure 1.1, to accelerate the delivery of business applications and IT services, improve efficiency and strengthen IT service quality.
Active Infrastructure 1.1 offers several key benefits:
- New validated workloads – Easy and fast deployment of common workloads, including key enterprise apps, virtual desktop and private cloud workloads. System administrators can reduce time and steps by approximately 99% by leveraging out-of-the-box and custom workload templates; and reference architectures.
- Broader portfolio of integrated systems – The expanded converged infrastructure platforms and reference architecture now include Dell Active System 50, Dell Active System 200, Dell Active System 800 and Dell Active System 1000. Pre-integrated systems enable up to six times faster implementation of a new virtual infrastructure.
- Unified management platform – Active System Manager 7.1 automates workload and infrastructure deployment through a single console. The management system for ASM is derived from the recent acquisition of Gale Technologies. With ASM, customers now have one single tool instead of eight, featuring deep virtual integration, including support for Microsoft Hyper-V and VMware Sphere platforms. ASM also offers stateless computing for workload scaling and migrations, rapid infrastructure on-boarding for discovering assets; and a broad compatibility matrix that includes support for Dell and heterogeneous environments.
Availability and Pricing
PowerEdge VRTX will be available in the coming weeks. Expected pricing for a base system is US$10,000. The Dell Active Infrastructure 1.1 portfolio will be available to order in the coming days.
Pua Chu Kang, powered by Dell and Intel
In an unconventional move, Dell and Intel collaborated to produce a short film starring a selected cast of popular Singaporean sitcom “Pua Chu Kang”, including lead character Pua Chu Kang, played by Gurmit Singh. The hilarious take on running a business, consequently growing exponentially with the help of the Dell PowerEdge VRTX solution. The video is not available for public viewing but shown in private screenings. We will be posting a link to this video soon, so you can enjoy the hilarious antics of PCK.com. Stay tuned.
