In an effort to muscle its way further into the market for facilities management, IBM is working on an architecture to automate data centre operations. According to Computer System News this scheme is known informally within IBM as Systems Management Architecture, SMA, and is expected to integrate hundreds of incompatible utility programs under a single software framework. With such an architecture in place IBM would be in a position to squeeze third party software houses out of the market. The overall aim of Systems Management Architecture is to enable computer systems to manage themselves with minimal user intervention. To fulfil this aim IBM is reported to be enhancing its not over-highly-regarded NetView network management tools so that they can carry out system management functions. However, the company may well have a fight on its hands to get third parties with strong rival systems management products to toe the Systems Management Architecture line in a market that is relatively new to IBM – but it can always win companies’ allegiance by bankrolling development in return for minority equity stakes in them.
