Fujitsu Siemens Computers and VMware announced that shipments will of the PRIMERGY servers from Fujitsu Siemens Computers that are factory-fitted with the new VMware ESX 3i virtualization software. This makes it possible to begin using virtualization software the first time a server is booted – activating a virtualization layer on the PRIMERGY server within minutes.

The hardware and software partnership between Fujitsu Siemens Computers and VMware is targeted at making advanced virtualization more accessible to small- and medium-sized businesses. A virtualized server environment makes it possible for end-customers to drastically reduce the number of servers they need, which also significantly lowers energy consumption – both for processor power and cooling, as well as overall system management costs.

Automotive specialist Walter Mauser GmbH is the first customer to confirm its order for PRIMERGY servers shipping with the embedded VMware ESX 3i software. The Breitenau, Austria-based company, which manufacturers driver’s cabs for a variety of custom-purpose vehicles including tractors, fork-lifts, mail vans, golf buggies and lawnmowers, is upgrading from its current VMware Server-based environment running on PRIMERGY servers from Fujitsu Siemens Computers, the leading European IT solutions provider.

“Our core business is in providing custom-built driver’s cabs for a wide range of vehicles. Our engineers build vehicles, not server configurations – so we welcome the added simplicity that Fujitsu Siemens Computers and VMware have delivered by pre-installing PRIMERGY servers to run with the new VMware Embedded ESX 3i virtualization software,” says Martin Mauser, Chief Executive Officer at Walter Mauser. “Without our IT partner 4SYSTEMS GmbH we would not be able to get the full benefit or flexibility out of our IT infrastructure. Thanks to 4SYSTEMS, we started using virtualization technology in 2005, and now we are taking the next step by moving to embedded VMware ESX 3i.”

Says Jens-Peter Seick, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Server Business at Fujitsu Siemens Computers: "The benefits of virtualization for small- and medium-size businesses are clear. Fujitsu Siemens Computers and VMware have a shared vision on cost saving through the consolidation of server infrastructure. ESX 3i enhances VMware’s product offering by simplifying the set-up and management of a virtualized VMware server environment."

In promoting the concept of virtualization, Fujitsu Siemens Computers consistently underscores its role as a developer of cutting-edge technology and the company’s dedication to environmentally friendly IT and optimized energy efficiency in the data center.

Diane Greene, President and Chief Executive Officer of VMware says: “Companies of all sizes have the same needs.  They must reduce capital and operating expenses, and run their software so that it is always available and responsive in the most cost, power, and management efficient way.  That is what virtualization achieves.  We have a long standing collaboration with Fujitsu Siemens Computers and are very pleased to be taking this next joint step together of virtualization-enabling PRIMERGY servers.”

PRIMERGY industry standard server models factory-fitted with the embedded VMware ESX 3i virtualization software are available through the channel, and the package includes 90 days free support from Fujitsu Siemens Computers, which can be extended. Servers also ship with an evaluation copy of the VMware Infrastructure suite, the market-leading solution for delivering a fully-managed and automated virtual data center. VMware has the most complete solution for virtualizing servers, storage, networks, applications and desktops to ensure that IT services are delivered precisely when and where they are needed, at the best possible cost.

The PRIMERGY line-up of industry standard servers forms the backbone of a reliable, modern IT infrastructure and embodies the concept of the flexible, dynamic data center realized by Fujitsu Siemens Computers. Thanks to a high degree of standardization from entry-level models through to rack solutions and BladeFrame, PRIMERGY offers excellent value for money. Midrange PRIMERGY RX330 S1 and RX300 S4 servers including the integrated virtualization solution start shipping today, with prices starting at EUR 2,300.

The VMware ESX 3i hypervisor is based on core VMware virtualization technology in use by more than 100,000 customers. It is the industry’s smallest hypervisor (32MB), enabling high levels of security and reliability, and it is the only OS-independent virtualization platform.  VMware ESX 3i delivers single-server consolidation with fast and easy deployment—the first virtual machine can operate within minutes of booting a server with pre-configured and optimized hardware configurations.

Customers can upgrade from VMware ESX 3i hypervisor to VMware’s datacenter virtualization and management suite, VMware Infrastructure 3 (VI3). VI3 provides the capability for automatic load balancing, business continuity and power management and the ability to move a virtual machine across physical machines to minimize service interruption. VI3 is also compatible with VMware’s desktop virtualization and management solutions.