IBM has released new software that allows data centers to benefit from so-called cloud computing, allowing them to scale more cost-effectively.

The software is based on an updated version of IBM's Tivoli Provisioning Manager product that includes new automation features that remove much of the manual graft in data center management.

TPM is used to deploy, configure and manage data center IT infrastructure including software applications, virtualization, storage, network devices, routers and firewalls.

IBM is positioning TPM at the forefront of its "Blue Cloud" cloud computing initiative. Cloud computing refers to a new type of distributed IT architecture that pools computer resources together rather than managing individual PCs or servers.

The idea is that users of the cloud need only be concerned with computing services requested, and not the underlying resources that are being accessed. That, cloud computing proponents argue, increases efficiencies of systems resources because it ensures that underutilized systems aren't sitting idle. It also removes the IT administrator burden of installing and setting up software manually.

IBM's new TPM 5.1.1 software helps to achieve this through enhancements that automate common data center tasks of installation, ensuring interoperability, monitoring and so on. Included in the release is a new "Web Replay" tool that records mouse clicks and other processes associated with complex data center tasks, which can be stored and re-used as single-click best practices.

The new version of TPM also adds: cross-platform patch support; integration with Tivoli's application dependency discovery manager tool for creating and maintaining infrastructure maps; support for the delivery of dynamic content like video, CAD and e-learning; and installation wizards.