The lines between physical and virtual IT resources are being erased with the introduction of SoftLayer Flex Images. Flex Images allow users to capture, replicate, and store an image of a cloud or dedicated server, and then deploy the image on either type of computing environment. Capabilities traditionally in the domain of virtual infrastructure, including the ability to quickly clone and reload servers, are extended to dedicated servers, along with cross-platform compatibility and simple migration between physical and virtual environments.

"Flex Images provide our customers with unprecedented flexibility and scalability," said Simon West, Chief Marketing Officer for SoftLayer. "The ability to provision and automate server images seamlessly between cloud and dedicated computing environments empowers users to easily build out their IT environments while being able to quickly meet changing requirements. Our customers can focus on the purpose of their application and then on the right technology solution--with the freedom to move between or integrate technologies as needed."

Flex Images is a key differentiator for SoftLayer--like the company's network, portal and automated platform--available to all customers. These new capabilities help showcase SoftLayer's ongoing innovation efforts, which help blur the distinctions between cloud and dedicated computing environments while offering customers the highest possible levels of control and scalability.

"Flex Images have been a massive time saver," said Aaron McKee, VP of engineering for Struq, an early beta customer. "We love being able to effortlessly scale and manage our infrastructure. This really sets SoftLayer apart from the competition because traditional cloud systems just don't have this type of flexibility and performance. The feature has cut down new server deployment by several hours per server, which has made recent expansion bursts at Struq much easier. This is definitely a better way to deploy and manage IT resources in the cloud."

Key features and benefits of Flex Images include:

• Universal images that can be used interchangeably on dedicated or cloud systems
• Unified image library for archiving, managing, sharing, and publishing images
• Greater flexibility and higher scalability
• Rapid and easy migration
• Available via SoftLayer's management portal and API

Flex Images is available immediately to SoftLayer customers as a public beta. General availability is expected in the second quarter. For more information, please visit www.softlayer.com/FlexImageBeta.