By Charlene O'Hanlon

IBM has expanded its sales channel for its CloudBurst private cloud solution, offering a software-only version that enables channel partners to sell the CloudBurst technology for the first time.

IBM Service Delivery Manager is available in two flavors one for x86 systems and one for IBM Power systems and is deployed as a set of virtual images that automate the IT service deployment and provide resource monitoring, cost management and provisioning of services in the cloud. Channel partners who are qualified to sell IBMs Tivoli software can resell ISDM, enabling them to build private cloud environments for their customers using their current IBM or non-IBM hardware, said Terri Schlosser, IBM Cloud Offering manager.

The technology offers a full palette of features, including a self-service portal, automated provisioning and de-provisioning of resources, real-time monitoring of physical and virtual cloud resources, integrated usage and accounting chargeback capabilities to track and optimize system usage, and prepackaged automation templates and workflows for most common resource types.

IBM Service Delivery Manager for x86 systems is available today, and IBM Service Delivery Manager for Power systems is expected to be available in mid-December.

The software is part of the CloudBurst family of pre-integrated private cloud platforms, which is available directly from IBM.