IBM says the new version of its Tivoli Provisioning Manager will help clients operate with fewer resources and reduce manual steps to better automate the changing demands for IT resources - a key element of IBM's version of cloud computing, called Blue Cloud. The technologies developed as part of this initiative enable clients to build large-scale, distributed, globally accessible data centers, says the company.

TPM includes a variety of enhancements to help simplify software installation and improve distribution, monitor IT resources across an enterprise and create reusable automation packages to perform complex tasks that can be used again later. It can manage virtualization technologies, SAN and NAS-based storage resources, and network devices acting as routers, switches, firewalls and load balancers. The software also enables a company to automate its own data center procedures and processes either by modifying automation packages or creating new packages that match a company's best practices.

"Advanced automation and resource optimization are key drivers to containing costs and among the top priorities for businesses today," says Chris O'Connor, VP of Tivoli strategy and market management, IBM. "This new version of Tivoli Provisioning Manager enables our clients to simplify IT environments, further take advantage of virtualization and realize the vision of cloud computing."

IBM recently introduced a new version of IBM Systems Director Active Energy Manager, its management software that users autonomic capabilities to track energy consumption in data centers and helps customers to monitor their power usage and make adjustments to improve efficiency and reduce costs.