Virtualization is a catalyst on the road to a next-generation data center, and the promise of virtualization and the benefits a virtualized IT are many--from clear cost savings to improved business responsiveness.

Approaching virtualization begins with a move away from business-specific over-provisioned resource silos toward the creation of adaptive pools of resources that can support multiple groups and processes. Initial steps involve simplifying and unifying the underlying infrastructure through consolidation and the employment of virtualization technologies and by creating a flexible IT environment that will be highly utilized. Next steps involve managing virtual systems rather than physical systems. Finally, as IT becomes more adaptive, the link between supply and demand is automated, infrastructure is dynamically aligned with workloads, and IT can be managed and delivered as a service.

With a virtualized infrastructure, IT can realize the promise of virtualization; do more with less-with greater agility-while delivering a higher level of service to the business.