Get Ready for Virtual Computer Systems for ERP
Posted by Glen Mund on Fri, Oct 05, 2007 @ 04:40 PM
Micro Monitor, By Alan Salmon: The Bottom Line September 2007
One of the newest technologies beginning to penetrate the accounting software world is virtualization. For many accounting firms the virtualization of servers & desktops will be an accepted practice in the near future, regardless of how large or small the organization is.
Virtual machine technologies enable one physical server to run one or more operating systems and related applications. A virtual machine uses software & selected hardware devices to create an emulated operating environment. It means older applications can run on the same machine with new software.
Both servers & desktops can be virtualized. You can emulate an entire real machine by loading all the applications in a single disk file that is controlled by a virtual machine software application such as Virtual PC 2007. There is no limit to the number of virtual machines that can be run by one physical machine, other that the physical machine limitations.
The recent release of Microsoft Vista is a great example as to what's driving organizations into adopting virtualization.
This new operating system is not compatible with many applications. This issue will become critical when a computer is replaced, and the only option available is to buy a machine with the Windows Vista operating system installed.
So why is virtualization so important?
- You can run incompatible applications on Vista
- You can run multiple desktop OS platforms & related applications
- More up time & flexibility
- You can run accounting demonstration software or test software without the danger of contaminating your system
- You can save & distribute stable versions of the desktop
While virtualization is important, there can be some licensing issues. If you purchase an HP or Dell Computer, it normally comes with Windows XP preinstalled. The license may not be transferrable, unless you have an open license agreement with Microsoft.
You get a limited license that you can only use on the machine that you purchased the license with. In other words, you don't have a full license that allows using the operating system on another machine, including virtual machines.
Virtual appliances are fundamentally changing the application stack & how it is packaged & distributed as software vendors develop self-contained & optimized application stacks that are easy to deploy, run on any hardware & are more secure & reliable. Virtualization is definitely in most accounting firms' future.
Virtual PCs will continue to evolve in the near future. There can be substantial cost savings with a virtual machine when you are running multiple desktop operating systems & related applications. Will there be a virtual PC in your future? The answer is yes & it will be sooner rather than later.
Sage Accpac