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Telecom Platform Deployment Featured Article
March 10, 2009
NEI Highlights Appliance Deployment Must-Haves
By Stefania Viscusi, Assignment Desk Editor
(NEBS)
When it comes time for enterprises to choose an appliance deployment for their IT networks, it can be difficult to sort through the many features offered and choose a solution that best fits their need.
To alleviate this pain point for enterprises, NEI has announced a number of features that enterprises should evaluate when looking for an appliance deployment. By making an informed choice, enterprise will be able to ensure the ongoing success of their IT initiatives.
“The decision to deploy appliances can deliver substantial benefits, especially considering that purpose-built appliances require little customization or performance tuning, thus delivering value almost immediately,” explained Jeff Hudgins, vice president of marketing, NEI.
“However, not all appliances are created equal and if certain best practices are not followed when evaluating and deploying appliances, the benefits can be easily erased in the event of appliance failure.”
The first feature NEI recommends enterprises consider is OS Hardening and Packaging. To ensure that their operating system is optimized and provides maximum performance, NEI suggests that enterprises look to an application vendor that has tuned “and locked down” the operating system.
Also, NEI advises enterprises to look for vendors offering Automated Element Management. This will help them by routinely auditing the condition and operation of the core appliance’s elements so it is prepared to better respond when hardware or software malfunctions, crashes or if runtime errors or a system boot failure occurs.
Next, enterprises should find a solution with Automated Image Backup. The company notes that “an appliance should be able to manage its software application as a holistic image and not just a collection of software parts. By doing so, should the appliance fail, it can be rolled back to a complete pre-failure image and quickly restored for proper operation.”
Automated Updating is also an important feature when it comes time to choosing an appliance deployment. The automation of tasks like updates, patches and upgrades can save time and ensure successful deployments occur.
Finally, it is important that enterprises choose a vendor with a global supply chain so they will always have on-site support should problems arise. The vendor should not only offer tech support services, but should also be able to provide replacement products as needed.
NEI is a provider of appliance technology; products and services that make it possible for its customers to better manage deploy and support their application solutions. The company’s appliance deployment model provides the engineering, manufacturing, logistics and technical support services their customers need to deliver a complete solution with lower total cost of ownership. And leaves their customers with time to work on other businesses critical needs.
Most recently, the company announced that ImageTag, a developer of KwikTag Connect document imaging software for Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics GP, chose to deliver its solution on NEI’s enterprise-ready appliance platform to increase value and ROI for their customers.
Stefania Viscusi is an assignment editor for TMCnet, covering VoIP, CRM, call center and wireless technologies. To read more of Stefania’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefania Viscusi
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