IBM Reaches Out to Small Businesses With $700 Server Offering

IBM threw its hat in the sub-$1,000 server ring with its release of the eServer x200VL, an entry-level server priced at $699.

Similar server offerings are already available from Dell and Sun Microsystems. Like those products, the eServer x200VL is designed for small businesses looking for an entry-level server.

IBM threw its hat in the sub-$1,000 server ring with its release of the eServer x200VL, an entry-level server priced at $699.

The eServer x200VL comes with an 850 MHz Intel Celeron processor and 20 GB of IDE storage. It offers native support for Linux and Microsoft Windows, in addition to other operating systems.

The server comes with IBM Director, an intelligent system management program that has Project eLiza self-diagnosing and self-healing technologies.

Technologies from Project eLiza, IBM”s program aimed at creating a world of self-managing systems and technologies, featured in the eServer x200VL include predictive failure analysis, which enables a server to self-diagnose potential problems and then alert IT staff; software rejuvenation, which can automatically predict and repair software problems before they occur; and IBM ServerGuide software, designed to simplify system set-up and installation.

“None of our competitors can match the technology and services we offer to small businesses,” said Jim Gargan, vice president, IBM eServer xSeries. “IBM helps growing businesses stay competitive by offering products at affordable prices coupled with technologies that will help manage their IT environment.”

IBM at this time also announced that its eServer x200 and x220 are now available with the new Intel Pentium III-S processors with 512 KB cache and a speed of 1.26 GHz, thus creating what Big Blue believes to be the most powerful line of entry-level, small-business servers currently available.

IBM has preloaded Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 on the x220 and x232. This solution offers enterprise-level products designed for small businesses. It includes Microsoft Windows 2000, Exchange Server 2000, and SQL Server 2000, as well as Windows 2000 Server based solutions for e-mail, fax, databases, and secure, shared Internet access. The company also offers the option of an IBM and SBS 2000 ServicePac that provides incident-based support for SBS 2000 and 5/24 telephone support.

New eServer software was also announced at this time. iSeries Connect enables small to midsize enterprises to participate in private B2B exchanges. iSeries Connect is an integrated software product that provides tools, connectivity, and catalog functions to help midsize enterprises link core applications to those of trading partners. IBM iSeries Connect v1.1 also features open interface support for point-to-point and private B2B exchanges, thus offering customers a low-cost alternative to electronic data interchange or custom-built B2B solutions.

The final product IBM unveiled was its new IBM Fibre Tape Automation Adapter Card Option, which allows the direct connection of SCSI devices into Fibre Channel Networks. The Fibre Tape Automation Adapter Card Option works with existing storage-area networks and IBM eServer xSeries Linear Tape Open tape automation products for serverless data backup in multiple locations.

Related Stories:
Sun Ups Performance for Netra X1
Dell Brings Server Power to Small Businesses With the PowerEdge 500SC
IBM Aims for Self-Maintaining Servers