In May 1999, 3PAR® recognized the emergence of a new IT architectural approach called utility computing. Today, utility computing enables IT organizations to deliver software and hardware as a service through server and storage virtualization. It is a platform for the delivery of enterprise IT as a utility service, cloud computing over the Web, and a new generation of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA)-based applications. 3PAR Utility Storage was developed to serve as the storage foundation of utility computing and was designed to work together with server virtualization technologies to create a complete utility computing environment. 3PAR's highly-virtualized, utility-based approach to storage gives datacenters and IT organizations an alternative to traditional monolithic arrays. Today's Challenge: ComplexityAt the core of utility computing is server and storage virtualization. One industry approach to storage virtualization is to surround midrange and monolithic arrays with additional layers of software and virtualization appliances. These layers create unnecessary complexity that can lead to brittle IT environments that are susceptible to the slightest change. Layering can also create the need for multiple domains of specialist expertise, leading to additional costs. With this approach, the benefits are limited and the risks substantial. The Alternative: 3PAR Utility Storage3PAR delivers a smart (self-managing), thin (inherently efficient), and ready (resiliently adaptable) alternative to traditional storage through the application of internal, array-based virtualization. 3PAR Utility Storage customers have been able to respond instantly to changing business demands while cutting Total Cost of Data by 50%.