Virtualisation software can offer companies increased levels of flexibility and cost effectiveness when it is implemented.

It is not just server and mainframe virtualisation which can be of assistance to business users now, with more applications, networks and storage facilities making use of the technology.

Using virtualisation allows separate servers to act like one larger server or can split server function into multiple "virtual machines", making server administration simpler.

Research by Forrester explains that implementing storage virtualisation can eliminate problems of low utilisation and complex management demands.

It can allow systems to be backed to a server which means that after a failure, data centre tapes do not have to be consulted, saving time.

However, they warn that architecture must be chosen with care, as models which are not adaptable enough may make business problems more acute, rather than solving them.

Galen Schrek, a researcher at Forrester told ComputerWeekly.com: "Many firms attribute their adoption of virtualisation to server consolidation but an equivalent number are using the technology to make their server environments more flexible and agile…"

Forrester predicts that by 2008, about half of businesses will be using storage virtualisation, but often for point migrations, instead of as permanent production architecture.

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