Microsoft to offer self-managed business software

SEATTLE: Microsoft Corp. said on Friday that it will launch a new initiative to develop business software that automatically adapts to workloads and configures itself, as companies seek to reduce the cost of managing their computer systems.

The new plan, which Microsoft has dubbed its "Dynamic Systems Initiative," will be unveiled at a Las Vegas development conference next week, said Bob O'Brien, senior product manager at Microsoft.

Microsoft’s initiative is the latest in a series of announcements from computer vendors such as International Business Machines Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co. that have introduced the concept of "'autonomic computing" to business users.

With autonomic computing, many of the tasks performed by system administrators, such as adjusting computer network loads during high usage, allocating data storage and configuration, can be automated.

"We’re trying to contribute toward building infrastructure that is highly automated and extensible," said Microsoft’s O’Brien.

With DSI, Microsoft aims to include autonomic computing technology in core software designs, so that other software makers can develop applications, such as database, accounting and manufacturing software, that can manage themselves.

Some tools and components to speed up installations and balance workloads will be included in the latest version of Windows Server, Microsoft’s server software that will launch in late April, said O’Brien.

Many computer industry executives eventually see computing power as a utility that can be sold like electricity or water, once computers are linked up more efficiently with each other.