As virtualized servers continue to move from testing to production environments, the threat of process and infrastructure breakdown is mounting. At present, IT departments are precariously exposed to a growing number of virtualization risks, including tumbling down Gartner's IT Maturity Curve, a model designed to measure an IT organization's strengths and weaknesses relative to best practices in the field.

With this in mind, IT managers are looking for solutions that provide better control and a more comprehensive view of their systems - across both the virtual and physical environments. Many are also exploring ways to effectively leverage their existing investments in IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks, tools, and processes - to extend the value of these assets.

This paper will help IT Managers understand the inherent love/hate relationship with monitoring and managing a virtual environment and provide essential guidelines to help choose the "best fit vendor" for specific needs.