Appliance Deployment Featured Article

Regardless of whether the next task on our plate needs to be completed for fun or for business, it’s likely supported by an application. In an online world where cloud communications and computing drive our operations, applications play an increasingly important role. Even in an environment where technologies are premises-based, applications can still be a vital element.

The deployment of these applications is a bit more complicated than their use, however. Appliance deployment within the IT infrastructure introduces additional challenges as the IT organization has little to no familiarity with the app in question. The challenge can be time consuming and even threaten to negate the benefit the application was selected to provide. Fortunately, there are solutions providers focused on easing this process.

According to a recent report, Appcara (News - Alert) is focused on narrowing the divide between IT and the cloud. The company recently unveiled the AppStack Express Appliance. This 3u application serves as the foundation for the Appacara cloud application management and modeling tools. As such, the process of deploying and provisioning applications in private or public clouds is now automated.

Why does this level of automation matter? According to Appcara’s Chief Marketing Officer, Paul Speciale, it allows the average SMB to leverage the advantages available in cloud computing without the typical friction companies can meet in the process. The solution is also compatible with Citrix Xen environments and Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) so that the company with a less than robust IT department can achieve the same level of appliance deployment confidence as the larger enterprise.

For these small businesses, the APPStack Express Appliance helps to eliminate the need to learn the lower-level tools generally available from cloud service providers for prospective customers seeking to host applications on their services. It also comes completely loaded with a full range of cloud applications IT organizations can access through the app store.

Optimal appliance deployment is available in three different methods, including virtual, physical and cloud. Cloud providers are offering cloud, virtual and physical deployment models to ensure their applications are readily available in the market. At times, all three must be made available to realize the full revenue potential within their applications. Each deployment model is certainly complex and brings its own set of challenges to the mix. These challenges may be overcome with UNICOM’s LEAD System.

This solution allows for the application of domain expertise and the knowledge of hardware appliances, telecom platforms, virtual appliances and the cloud. The point is to solve the complex integration, design and deployment issues that can plague the typical application deployment. Companies can’t enjoy the benefits afforded in the application if they can’t effectively launch the appliance.

To get the most out of any deployment, companies want it faster, better and more cost-efficient. This allows them to derive the necessary value from the platform while also focusing on core competencies for success.