Unisys Announces Hybrid Enterprise Framework to Help CIOs Avoid the 'Cloud in a Corner' Syndrome

BLUE BELL, Pa., March 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) today announced its Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework, a comprehensive methodology and set of services for helping organizations manage multiple IT delivery models – both traditional and cloud-based – within a consistent computing environment managed as a single entity.

The Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework helps CIOs avoid a common pitfall of new cloud computing projects: creating isolated "cloud in a corner" computing environments that are not integrated with the organization's existing mission-critical systems. This condition can lead to higher costs due to infrastructure complexity, overlapping staff skills and greater resource requirements; reduced control over infrastructure and service levels; greater security, governance and compliance risks; and organizational change and process issues.

As a key part of the Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework, Unisys today also announced its portfolio of Unisys CloudBuild Services, which enable clients to plan, design and implement mission-critical cloud solutions cost-effectively within an integrated enterprise environment.

"Our clients are committed to using existing IT infrastructure along with new cloud solutions, and they understand the importance of avoiding 'cloud in a corner' syndrome," said Fred Dillman, Unisys chief technology officer. "They need a roadmap for managing their cloud projects that is tightly integrated with their existing investments, optimizes efficiency and provides a single view of their overall IT workload. The Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework gives them that roadmap."

Unisys Hybrid Enterprise: a Roadmap for Integrated IT Investments

Different from a hybrid cloud solution that focuses only on integrating different forms of private and public clouds, the Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework enables CIOs to manage all of the IT delivery models across their enterprise within a single, integrated management framework based on common technology, processes and policies.

The Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework guides organizations in making the best decisions across the three key areas of IT:

• Applications. Not all applications can or should be deployed in all computing models, for reasons as varied as architecture, regulatory compliance, and location where data is stored. Through its Advisory Services, Unisys helps clients inventory and assess current and required applications and decide which are best suited to a specific IT delivery model – whether a traditional data center, traditional outsourcing or a particular type of cloud.
• Data centers. The new Unisys CloudBuild Services provide the Unisys Hybrid Enterprise framework with a rigorous "eight-track" methodology for helping clients select the appropriate delivery model for a given application or project – whether a traditional internal or outsourced data center, an internal or hosted private cloud, or a public cloud. Using this methodology, clients can create a unified data center that spans delivery models while minimizing complexity and maintaining integrity of processes. The eight-track methodology focuses on eight key data-center areas: management tools and processes; financial policies, models and approaches; physical and virtual architecture design; security; storage; network engineering; management of service delivery according to ITIL standards; and support services.
• Management. Unisys provides a consistent management approach for the Hybrid Enterprise, covering policy and governance; monitoring and service event management; security and risk management; financial management; and service management. The Unisys approach is vendor-neutral, enabling clients to mix and match the best solutions to meet their business purposes. Unisys provides integrated Hybrid Enterprise management solutions that clients can deploy on-site themselves or have Unisys deliver as a managed service. Unisys cloud management software provides automated provisioning, security, chargeback and customer service-delivery-portal functions, and Unisys Converged Remote Infrastructure Management Suite of solutions provides integrated, "single pane" management of clients' multi-vendor  infrastructures.

CloudBuild Services: "Eight-Track" Planning, Design and Implementation

The new Unisys CloudBuild Services announced today complement the company's existing line of data center and cloud transformation services. They are designed to help clients –- whether enterprises, government agencies or cloud-service providers – cost-effectively plan, design and implement cloud infrastructure.

Unisys CloudBuild Services provide a series of workshops and joint engagement activities through which Unisys, using its eight-track methodology, creates an integrated plan, roadmap and detailed design delivered as an integrated "concept of operations" document.

This "ConOps" document guides implementation of the integrated data center-cloud infrastructure. In the implementation phase, Unisys works with client teams to build and integrate their cloud as defined in the planning and design stage.

About Unisys

Unisys is a worldwide information technology company. Unisys provides a portfolio of IT services, software, and technology that solves critical problems for clients. Unisys specializes in helping clients secure their operations, increase the efficiency and utilization of their data centers, enhance support to their end users and constituents, and modernize their enterprise applications. To provide these services and solutions, the Company brings together offerings and capabilities in outsourcing services, systems integration and consulting services, infrastructure services, maintenance services, and high-end server technology. With approximately 23,000 employees, Unisys serves commercial organizations and government agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.unisys.com.

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Unisys is a registered trademark of Unisys Corporation. All other brands and products referenced herein are acknowledged to be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE Unisys Corporation