IBM SmartCloud Orchestrator is a project based on the OpenStack Platform. With the new software IBM hopes to push towards industry-wide open standards in the cloud. The software emphasizes compatibility and simplifies the deployment and provisioning of cloud resources through an easy to use dashboard. Orchestrator aims at being a low-cost alternative to the current cloud offerings. Many vendors in cloud computing have already begun to engage the market with similar products. The OpenStack Foundation has been pushing for interoperability between vendors cloud computing and it seems that the fight is just gaining some significant players.
The SmartCloud Monitoring Application Insight from IBM is also expected to be released under open source standards. Aimed at real-time monitoring of applications hosted on a cloud, the application is expected to be available in the second quarter of this year. Two new beta programs will be used to predict changes in scale and usage of cloud applications. Orchestrator is expected to be available later this year.
IBM is a member of the OpenStack Project which is already supported by over 150 companies. Initiated by Rackspace Hosting and NASA, OpenStack aims to make cloud computing simple and scalable. This is a move that will help the cloud adopt industry-wide standards under the leadership of major companies.
