Kodak, through a partnership with VMware, is launching its first Virtual Operating Environment option for Kodak Unified Workflow Solutions. The feature enables cost savings, increased efficiency and failover protection by hosting multiple “virtual” servers simultaneously on a single physical server.

With the Virtual Operating Environment option, servers hosting the Kodak Prinergy Connect Workflow and the Kodak Insite Prepress Portal System can be managed and expanded more efficiently. Users can minimize downtime by subscribing to an option that employs redundant virtual servers.

“The power of virtualization is something we started looking at a couple of years ago,” says Rick Walch, IT director for Colortek in St. Louis, MO, USA. “The Kodak Virtual Operating Environment enables us to scale our business to deliver growth while enhancing our operations from both a management and business continuity standpoint. The technology is seamless to our clients, but it is something that has clearly given us a competitive advantage.” Colortek provides prepress services 24/7.

“We’re confident the Kodak Virtual Operating Environment option can help printers further reduce their capital and operating costs without affecting the level of service they provide their customers; in fact, the Virtual Operating Environment can even increase IT reliability with simplified redundancy options,” notes Jon Bracken, general manager, Unified Workflow Solutions, Business Solutions and Services Group at Kodak. “By eliminating some of the physical servers, printers can significantly reduce the space, power and IT management required to house and run their infrastructure.”

VMware’s suite of virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions addresses a range of information technology problems that include cost and operational inefficiencies, business continuity, software lifecycle management and desktop management.