MATERNA presents new cloud solutions at CeBIT 2010
Automated management of computer workplaces
Dortmund/Hannover, 2010-03-01
The Dortmund IT service provider MATERNA GmbH presents new products and specific application examples for Cloud Computing at CeBIT 2010. The solutions are based on a platform for Cloud Computing developed by MATERNA themselves.
“Training in a Cloud” presented for the first time: providers of training and continuing education courses can use this to manage and set up virtual training environments efficiently. Other areas of application for the cloud solution from MATERNA include Client Management (Workplace on Demand), Software on Demand, the provisioning of development and acceptance environments as well as hosting for cloud environments.
“At the moment we are working intensively on developing new application scenarios which are attractive for our customers”, Uwe Scariot, Vice President at MATERNA, explains the work in progress. With the help of Cloud Computing IT organisations can adapt their services flexibly to their customers’ requirements. Combined with technologies for virtualisation and automation, workflows in the IT department can be simplified radically and result in cost benefits for IT operations.
IT organisations can also use the cloud services from MATERNA to automate the management of computer workplaces. The cloud solution controls and administers both virtual and physical environments. MATERNA’s range of services includes the needs analysis, conceptual design and set up right through to hosting of a turn-key cloud application which takes over the complete management of a desktop infrastructure for the customer.
The solution is offered in three variants: as a “private cloud”, which is installed at the customer on site, as a hosting service in the MATERNA computer centre, and as an appliance solution. The appliance variant is still being developed and will consist of a preconfigured and immediately usable hardware and software combination.
Cloud Computing demands interdisciplinary know-how
When setting up cloud solutions, MATERNA makes good use of their comprehensive know-how covering services, application development and IT management. On the software side the services include, among other things, the Client Management tool DX-Union from MATERNA as well as the virtualisation solution it is based on, Desktop as a Service, which enables the management of virtual and physical workplace environments. These applications control the downstream virtualisation and/or automation products which come from manufacturers such as IBM, VMware, Citrix, Parallels or Sun. This means MATERNA can set up and provide customers with new automated cloud services.
The cloud platform from MATERNA provides user companies, for example, with the advantage that recurring administrative IT processes related to IT workplaces can be dispensed with as these activities are largely automated. MATERNA also possesses comprehensive specialist knowledge and has used established products for many years.
This process-oriented approach from MATERNA takes the complete life-cycle of a cloud application into account: from the service catalogue and process automation right through to providing the infrastructure.
The MATERNA cloud solution in detail – ITIL®-compliant approach
The cloud solution from MATERNA follows standardised processes and is set up with a modular format so it can be integrated individually in existing infrastructures at the customer. The cloud service that is required is ordered via a service catalogue – often by a user-department. Defining this sort of service catalogue can also be supported by MATERNA as part of their consultancy services. Service Automation ensures that the requested service is put together according to a universal process model and is then removed after a predefined period of use. Workplace Automation carries out all the necessary steps which are needed to set up the infrastructure in the user’s context. The resources which are needed, such as printer, software or shares as well as the downstream virtual infrastructure, are put together automatically.
MATERNA has developed a generic model for setting up cloud services. This has the advantage that a wide variety of requirements can be fulfilled and a multitude of services such as workplaces, training and development environments can be provided with one solution.
The process orientation and the generic model for creating cloud services ensure that a service which is offered only needs to be defined once. This service can subsequently be retrieved as often as required from a service catalogue.
The ITIL®-compliant approach of the cloud solution from MATERNA provides a cloud cycle which automatically activates a service at the appointed time and also removes the cloud service after the defined period of use has finished and then adds it to a resources pool.
Added value for the customer
Using a cloud service provides the following benefits:
- A service only needs to be defined once and can then be re-used as often as required.
- The user company does not need any know-how of their own to manage virtual infrastructures and service processes.
- In addition to the organisational benefits, the cloud service leads to considerable savings for the IT infrastructure by means of consolidation: instead of expensive high-maintenance PC hardware, cost-effective and low-maintenance thin clients are put to use, which also have a much longer life. Maintenance at the workplace is thus not needed at all.
- A cloud solution in connection with thin clients reduces the risk of data-theft as all the data is located at the computer centre and cannot be copied via a local PC anymore. The driver behind “Private Cloud” environments is thus the topic of security.
- Providing home-office workplaces is much simpler as the complete workplace is provided via the internet browser. Hardware configured for a specific user is not necessary anymore. A solution like this is attractive, for example, for insurance companies which can thus integrate their field service staff securely in the company IT.
MATERNA uses cloud services too
MATERNA is totally convinced by cloud technologies and therefore uses their own solution to provide workplaces and development environments in their own company and in their training centre as well. Their own cloud infrastructure runs on IBM BladeCenters and uses virtualisation technologies from VMware and Citrix.
MATERNA GmbH Information & Communications
As a leading information technology service provider, MATERNA employs approximately 1,300 staff throughout Europe and achieved a turnover of 153 million Euros with their two business divisions in 2009. The Information division provides process and technology consulting and implements appropriate IT solutions as well as delivering maintenance, operational and training services. The target groups are IT departments and specialist user departments in large and medium-sized companies. MATERNA is highly skilled in the segments of IT service management, individual solutions and portals as well as in SAP corporate solutions. They also have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the public sector and for IT service providers. MATERNA Communications has comprehensive know-how in marketing services for new media, e-commerce and m-commerce solutions, voice and video applications, service platforms and hosting. In addition to innovative MVNE solutions, their portfolio also comprises integrated passenger services for airlines and airports.
Further Information:
MATERNA GmbH
Information & Communications
Press and PR Office
Christine Siepe
Vosskuhle 37
44141 Dortmund
Germany
Phone: +49 231 5599-168
Fax: +49 231 5599-165
Email: christine.siepe@materna.de
