14 DAY TRIAL // US-based networking company Covergence has devised a new and groundbreaking method of delivering software into branch offices. The new concept is based on application virtualization, so users should be able to access their applications from a remote server.
This initiative would allow corporations to manage and deploy their software, then let branch offices access it from a distance. This is extremely useful when talking about branch offices that have no IT support team. Covergence has built a software program that allows business to roll out their IP based 'unified' networks. The ready-to-run applications are packaged inside a virtual machine, then hosted on any machine that comes with an x86 processor.
This way, the whole network infrastructure, including regular telephony, video telephony, fax and instant messaging - all of these running on a single link - can be managed from a network operations center, rather than from the local IT department.
Covergence knows that dealing with the hardware aspect of a business is a complex issue, and creating a generic PC machine for hosting the applications will not be effective in terms of pricing and maintenance. According to Rod Hodgman, VP for marketing with Covergence, the next best solution would be running the application inside a router.
However, there are other problems at this level, since networking gear manufacturers keep their prices down by replacing the x86 processors with cheaper and less capable dedicated networking CPUs, rather than Intel's and AMDs latest creation.
Moreover, apart from the hardware drawback, that is a major impediment in doing the Covergence way, there is the problem of money when it comes to the used software. It is extremely expensive ($55,000), and I consider that this money would cover some high-end servers to run as many virtualized applications as needed at the same time. However, if you really have to think "outside the box", you'll have to wait until the x86-based routers kick in.