Some time ago (September 2009) we made a blog post about being able to provide maintenance services for HP servers delivered by IBM. We have received a lot of interest on this topic as purchasing IBM ServicePacs for HP Servers could be cheaper than buying them from HP. This offer remains available through ourselves, the details are outlined below.

 

Service detail

The IBM ServicePac is a simple, cost-effective way to purchase a range of support services and is particularly suited to those small and medium sized organisations who want the full backing of a world-class IT services provider yet at a competitive price.

IBM ServicePac offers a fixed term and predefined scope and is available through Gardner’s. The IBM ServicePac range is wide and includes hardware maintenance services, software support services, implementation services and education.

This ServicePac is available for a selected number of HP® servers including P class blades, Proliant DL and ML servers.

 

Highlights

• Provides pre-packaged hardware maintenance services for a one time payment
• The hours of cover are 7 days a week , 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Gets your systems up and running fast, with over 30% of support calls currently fixed remotely
• 4 hour on site response time following problem determination
• Helps to minimise downtime and expense
• 1or 2 year contract term
• Network of UK stores with over 42,000 parts stocked

IBM delivers these services using the same systems, methods, resources and contact centre that are used for IBM products. This means that the service is delivered to the same high standard as other IBM services. This is not a subcontracted service.

ServicePac options are designed to be easy to use and order. Plan your support by making a single payment and be confident that IBM is delivering the service you need. Contracting has never been so simple. Each ServicePac is a self-contained contract and simply needs to be registered with IBM to activate service.

For full description including ServicePac Selection Guide and HP ServicePac Guide please visit:-

http://www-935.ibm.com/services/uk/index.wss/offering/its/n1629769

Ground-breaking two-socket server delivers outstanding performance, memory and storage

I have just finished a course on the x3690 X5 and to say it changes how 2 way processors delivers performance would be an understatement.

The x3690 X5 is a 2U platform with 16 drive bays SAS, or 24 1.8” SAS SSD drives. Combined with a staggering 1TB of memory capacity delivers Datacentre computing to medium size business.

IBM have released their fifth-generation X-Architecture (eX5) technology that helps the x3690 X5 to achieve four socket performance in a two socket Intel processor Xeon platform.  

The x3690 X5 can handle 12% more database transactions per minute than standard two socket servers, doesn’t sound much, but when you compare the cost of a four processor server with four database processor licenses; therefore 12% transaction per minute increase is a lot.

 

Memory Mezzanine

16-DIMM Internal Memory Expansion module can be installed to increase the DIMM slots available by16-DIMM; thus giving you 32 DIMMS within the x3690 X5 server.

 

MAX5

Connecting a MAX 5 memory module to the x3690 X5 system (three MAX5 modules are supported), adds 16-DIMM additional memory slots.  The MAX5 is connected to the server via the QIP ports and using the IBM cable kit. Additional MAX5 memory module trays are connected together using a MAX5 cable kit.  The QIP architecture delivers an impressive 6.4 GT/s between the MAX5 modules and the x3690 X5. 

Virtualising

If you are virtualising your existing environment, then the x3690 X5 can support more VM’s than any other two socket servers.  This is due to the high memory capacity and accelerated CPU performance delivered by IBM’s fifth generation X-Architecture technology. 

The following IBM YouTube has Andreas Groth, IBM Virtualisation Architect and Matt McSpirit, Microsoft Partner Technology Advisor.

Highlights:

• Achieve four-socket performance at a two-socket investment
• Grow to meet changing workload demands with superb memory expansion
• Own and operate your systems with less complexity and cost
• Get peace of mind with enterprise-class reliability and availability.

 

 

More Information:

Delivering database services or looking to virtualise? then you should be looking at the   IBM x3690 X5.

The IDC published a white paper entitled ‘The Value of Memory-Dense Servers: IBM’s System x MAX5 for its eX5 Server Family’ sponsored by IBM.

Visit IBM System x for more product information.

 

Monday 7^th December – 9 a.m. until 11.30 a.m.

Gardner is please to present the first of our “No Brainer” IT consultancy days. Now that the worst of the recession is hopefully behind us, what are the obvious IT strategies and tactics we can adopt to improve and grow our businesses at last? Our presenters will be drawn from current industry leaders who will give you the best advice on how to get the best from your IT, with specific reference to the significant technology changes taking place in 2009/2010.

If you are just a bit confused or bewildered about what it all the challenges mean to you, then come along and have things explained simply. Our agenda will include:-

 

• Microsoft “The New Efficiency” including Virtualisation, Business Management
• NetApp Storage Efficient Technologies
• IBM Energy Efficiency Servers
• Hosted Services
• Cost Effective Security through IP cameras
• Power and cost saving tools including PC PowerDown and DocSense

 

The venue is the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port. The only sharks present will be those in the aquarium! Much of the advice offered on the day is around energy and cost saving, so we will all be doing a lot towards saving the planet. The session will finish around 11-30 am, leaving you plenty of time to network with the advisors or just take the opportunity to wander around Blue Planet and add to the enjoyment of your morning.

 

http://www.blueplanetaquarium.com

 

If you are interested in attending this event please register here

These services provide you with unlimited hardware and software phone support for IBM equipment and popular operating systems.

 

Service detail

IBM ServicePacs are a simple cost-effective way to purchase a range of support services and is particularly suited to the customer who wants the full backing of the manufacturer at a competitive price. IBM ServicePacs, which have a fixed term and predefined scope, are available through Gardner Systems. The range of IBM ServicePacs available is large and includes hardware maintenance services, software support services, implementation services, education etc. IBM ServicePac is available for IBM System x, IBM System p, IBM System i, IBM BladeCenter, IBM System Storage, Retail systems and other IBM products and to provide software support services for Microsoft Windows, LINUX and other system software.
When it comes to installing and maintaining your systems, devices and software environment, you need precise information and fast answers to complicated questions. IBM technical specialists provide expert support, and can help reduce the complexity of implementing your solutions.

 

Highlights

 

• Unlimited calls and unlimited callers
• Precise answers to technical questions.
• Fast problem resolution
• Hardware, software and services support from a single source
• Competitively-priced, predictable support calls

Industry leading response times helps to minimise downtime and expense

IBM technical support experts have high-end skills and knowledge to assist you with how-to usage, installation, configuration and software defects. With unlimited calls and unlimited callers, anyone at your company can call as often as needed and receive quick and efficient responses

ServicePac options are designed to be easy to use and order. ServicePac can be ordered together with an IBM hardware order or later, dependent on which option you may need. ServicePac options can be easily ordered through Gardner Systems. Convenience is a key factor. Each ServicePac has a part number and can be easily purchased just like IBM hardware. Contracting has never been so simple. Each ServicePac is a self-contained contract and simply needs to be registered with IBM to activate service.

For full description including ServicePac Guide please visit:-

http://www-935.ibm.com/services/uk/index.wss/offering/its/y1000229