What is IBM’s Distributed Computing Platform?
Today, many on-demand businesses not only require IT environments that are distributed throughout many locations, such as retailers and banks, they also require their business and IT processes to happen in sync. IBM’s Distributed Computing Platform (DCP) is a standardised approach to managing, updating and supporting a Windows® 2003, Windows® XP and Active Directory® environment throughout an organisation. Whether it’s 5,000 desktop sites in one building or 1,000 in five buildings – DCP is about the effective management of large numbers of desktops, devices, servers, applications and LAN’s from one centralised point. DCP can be as simple as IBM evaluating your needs and
providing you with recommendations or it can include the roll-out of a totally new environment combined with ongoing support. The business benefits
IBM has considerable experience implementing Microsoft® Standard Operating environments in corporate and public sector organisations throughout the world. That’s why their DCP, combined with IBM’s proven project management methodology achieves repeatable success, time after time. IBM’s Distributed Computing Platform can provide you with:
• A standardised platform that supports growth in line with your business demands
• An ability to support all your business applications on a single platform, including older applications design for legacy technologies
• Increased flexibility within your user base, in both the systems they can access and the locations they can operate from
• An ability to understand and so help reduce the cost of supporting your distributed environment
• An ability to consolidate your IT support team
• Updates to the latest technologies, future proofed as current technologies reach end of life
• IT enablement for surge management. A more technical overview
DCP is an IBM methodology – a set of phased activities that uses open frameworks, industry best practices and de-facto industry standards to specify, configure and deploy the required Windows platform. DCP creates a structured Microsoft® environment and fully leverages Microsoft’s Active Directory®, Windows® Server 2003 and Windows® XP technologies. Providing you and your users with a reliable, cost effective IT infrastructure, designed to an industry-standard Open model. With its DCP, IBM can help you build a single common architecture to support your desktop and user environments, provide identity management and support file and print server migration initiatives. DCP is founded upon IBM’s substantial experience in Information Life Cycle management and ITIL Framework disciplines. DCP can also include a Citrix® based thin client option to enable the lifecycle of PCs to be extended up to six years. Why DCP?
Utilising DCP could lead to a reduction of your operational expenditure through direct eduction in existing IT headcount. The environment becomes less complex to manage and also addresses end-users’ needs more quickly. In short, DCP reduces the complexity of existing IT environment, consolidates technologies and standards and could cut resource and maintenance costs through greater efficiencies. DCP also provides: • Improved system performance
• An enhanced environment for system development
• Improved IT-user responsiveness
• Superior data management and security
• Better alignment of IT with the organisation's goals. Why IBM?
IBM has extensive and global experience in Business Process Re-engineering. Its expertise spans hardware infrastructure, IT outsourcing, business consulting and high level joint research projects. Designing and implementing major infrastructure changes can be a complex and risky operation. It requires detailed knowledge and extensive experience, as well as an understanding of the dangers to avoid. IBM has consulted, designed and deployed DCP across the globe for a diverse array of customer and industry groups. We have learnt what works and understand the level of detail and customisation required to ensure success. IBM also has significant partnerships with leading software vendors and their products. By choosing IBM, you’re choosing to partner with one of the world’s leading providers of business services. In addition, IBM could provide:
• A recognised financial benefit in the purchasing of licences
• Viable alternatives due to our commitment to Open Source and major Independent Software Vendors. When you use IBM for your implementation of a Windows environment you could not only help reduce your project risk but you will also open the door to helping lower your total cost of ownership. | 
