Author: Rufus Credle
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738434183
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 220
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication positions WebSphere® Commerce Version 7 in today's marketplace and discusses its enhanced features enabling business users to achieve their vision for precision marketing. This book helps you to tailor and configure the Marketing tool in IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce to create and manage various promotion campaigns as needed by your business. This book provides several business scenarios which can be implemented through simple customizations. Each scenario addresses a unique requirement which can be mapped with similar business scenarios. This book has been developed for an experienced WebSphere Commerce design and developers audience.
Precision Marketing in WebSphere Commerce
Author: Rufus Credle
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738434183
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 220
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication positions WebSphere® Commerce Version 7 in today's marketplace and discusses its enhanced features enabling business users to achieve their vision for precision marketing. This book helps you to tailor and configure the Marketing tool in IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce to create and manage various promotion campaigns as needed by your business. This book provides several business scenarios which can be implemented through simple customizations. Each scenario addresses a unique requirement which can be mapped with similar business scenarios. This book has been developed for an experienced WebSphere Commerce design and developers audience.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738434183
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 220
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication positions WebSphere® Commerce Version 7 in today's marketplace and discusses its enhanced features enabling business users to achieve their vision for precision marketing. This book helps you to tailor and configure the Marketing tool in IBM Management Center for WebSphere Commerce to create and manage various promotion campaigns as needed by your business. This book provides several business scenarios which can be implemented through simple customizations. Each scenario addresses a unique requirement which can be mapped with similar business scenarios. This book has been developed for an experienced WebSphere Commerce design and developers audience.
Selling and Fulfillment Solutions Using WebSphere Commerce and IBM Sterling Order Management
Author: Charlton Lee
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738435600
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 268
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication brings together subject matter experts with experience using the leading IBM customer interaction platform for cross-channel and online commerce, IBM WebSphere® Commerce, with the powerful IBM Sterling Order Management, which coordinates order fulfillment from all channels and across the extended enterprise. An integrated solution was built in the lab that illustrates how these products can be integrated to benefit IBM customers. This publication focuses on the integration of the IBM high-volume commerce solution designed to address enterprise commerce needs by delivering a rich, robust multi-channel customer experience, with Sterling Order Management, designed to enable supplier collaboration with management and order fulfillment process optimization. By integrating WebSphere Commerce and Sterling Order Management with out-of-the-box components, we prove that customers are provided an end-to-end solution to address a complete opportunity for a fulfillment life cycle that is cost effective and easy to implement. This publication targets a technical audience for the documentation of the integration approach by explaining the solution architecture and the implementation details. However, this publication also contains introductory chapters that contain executive summary material and provides well-documented scenarios with use cases for business analysts whose domain would be these systems.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738435600
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 268
Book Description
This IBM® Redbooks® publication brings together subject matter experts with experience using the leading IBM customer interaction platform for cross-channel and online commerce, IBM WebSphere® Commerce, with the powerful IBM Sterling Order Management, which coordinates order fulfillment from all channels and across the extended enterprise. An integrated solution was built in the lab that illustrates how these products can be integrated to benefit IBM customers. This publication focuses on the integration of the IBM high-volume commerce solution designed to address enterprise commerce needs by delivering a rich, robust multi-channel customer experience, with Sterling Order Management, designed to enable supplier collaboration with management and order fulfillment process optimization. By integrating WebSphere Commerce and Sterling Order Management with out-of-the-box components, we prove that customers are provided an end-to-end solution to address a complete opportunity for a fulfillment life cycle that is cost effective and easy to implement. This publication targets a technical audience for the documentation of the integration approach by explaining the solution architecture and the implementation details. However, this publication also contains introductory chapters that contain executive summary material and provides well-documented scenarios with use cases for business analysts whose domain would be these systems.
Getting Started with IBM WebSphere Cast Iron Cloud Integration
Author: Carla Sadtler
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436305
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 542
Book Description
Cloud computing provides companies with many capabilities to meet their business needs but can also mean that a hybrid architecture is created that includes on-premise systems and the cloud. Integration is needed to bridge the gap between the on-premise existing systems and the new cloud applications, platform, and infrastructure. IBM® WebSphere® Cast Iron® meets the challenge of integrating cloud applications with on-premise systems, cloud applications-to-cloud applications, and on-premise to on-premise applications. It contains a graphical development environment that provides built-in connectivity to many cloud and on-premise applications and reusable solution templates that can be downloaded from a solution repository. The integration solutions that are created can then run on either an on-premise integration appliance or the multi-tenant WebSphere Cast Iron Live cloud service. This IBM Redbooks® publication is intended for application integrators, integration designers, and administrators evaluating or already using IBM WebSphere Cast Iron. Executives, leaders, and architects who are looking for a way to integrate cloud applications with their on-premise applications are also shown how WebSphere Cast Iron can help to resolve their integration challenges. The book helps you gain an understanding of Cast Iron and explains how to integrate cloud and on-premise applications quickly and simply. It gives a detailed introduction to the development tool and the administration interfaces and how they are used. It also discusses security, high availability, and re-usability. The book also includes three detailed scenarios covering real-world implementations of a Cast Iron Integration Solution.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436305
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 542
Book Description
Cloud computing provides companies with many capabilities to meet their business needs but can also mean that a hybrid architecture is created that includes on-premise systems and the cloud. Integration is needed to bridge the gap between the on-premise existing systems and the new cloud applications, platform, and infrastructure. IBM® WebSphere® Cast Iron® meets the challenge of integrating cloud applications with on-premise systems, cloud applications-to-cloud applications, and on-premise to on-premise applications. It contains a graphical development environment that provides built-in connectivity to many cloud and on-premise applications and reusable solution templates that can be downloaded from a solution repository. The integration solutions that are created can then run on either an on-premise integration appliance or the multi-tenant WebSphere Cast Iron Live cloud service. This IBM Redbooks® publication is intended for application integrators, integration designers, and administrators evaluating or already using IBM WebSphere Cast Iron. Executives, leaders, and architects who are looking for a way to integrate cloud applications with their on-premise applications are also shown how WebSphere Cast Iron can help to resolve their integration challenges. The book helps you gain an understanding of Cast Iron and explains how to integrate cloud and on-premise applications quickly and simply. It gives a detailed introduction to the development tool and the administration interfaces and how they are used. It also discusses security, high availability, and re-usability. The book also includes three detailed scenarios covering real-world implementations of a Cast Iron Integration Solution.
Value Realization from Efficient Software Deployment
Author: Alex Louwe Kooijmans
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738435813
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 250
Book Description
Many companies have a complex process for purchasing software that is required by IT projects, or better, by the business. Usually software is purchased by a centralized procurement function, and is either purchased on a project-by-project basis or as a large periodic software contract. Unfortunately purchasing software products does not automatically mean that these products are exploited throughout the organization providing the maximum possible value to the business units. Several issues call for a structured approach that gets the most business value out of software already purchased. The objectives of this approach are to: Create maximum awareness throughout the organization of the software purchased. Track software use in IT projects and act if products are not used at all, used improperly, or insufficiently used. Facilitate use of software products in projects, especially when software products are complex and require a lot of integration. We can summarize the overall objective of this approach as ensuring that the business units in an organization obtain the maximum possible value of software products purchased, which is also the scope of this IBM® Redbooks® publication.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738435813
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 250
Book Description
Many companies have a complex process for purchasing software that is required by IT projects, or better, by the business. Usually software is purchased by a centralized procurement function, and is either purchased on a project-by-project basis or as a large periodic software contract. Unfortunately purchasing software products does not automatically mean that these products are exploited throughout the organization providing the maximum possible value to the business units. Several issues call for a structured approach that gets the most business value out of software already purchased. The objectives of this approach are to: Create maximum awareness throughout the organization of the software purchased. Track software use in IT projects and act if products are not used at all, used improperly, or insufficiently used. Facilitate use of software products in projects, especially when software products are complex and require a lot of integration. We can summarize the overall objective of this approach as ensuring that the business units in an organization obtain the maximum possible value of software products purchased, which is also the scope of this IBM® Redbooks® publication.
IBM Midmarket Software Buying and Selling Guide
Author: LindaMay Patterson
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738450073
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 204
Book Description
The IBM® Midmarket Software Buying and Selling Guide is tailored specifically to help the management and IT staff of small and midsized businesses evaluate how the IBM midmarket portfolio can provide simple and cost-effective solutions to common business problems. Along with a midmarket customer focus, this IBM RedpaperTM publication is designed to help IBM teams and Business Partners be more effective in serving small and midsized businesses. We illustrate how IBM software for the midmarket can help businesses use the Web to reduce expenses, improve customer service, and expand into new markets. We cover the IBM software offering for the midmarket, which includes what the software does, the platforms it runs on, where to find more information, and how it can help your business become more profitable: - IBM Business Partners often keep a printed copy of this guide in their briefcases for software references - Customers can view this guide online and look up software-value messages and IBM product family offering comparisons - IBM Sales Representatives can print parts of this guide as "leave-behinds" for customers, to give them extra collateral on midmarket software of interest To make sure that you have the latest version of this guide, download it from this web address: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp3975.html?Open
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738450073
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 204
Book Description
The IBM® Midmarket Software Buying and Selling Guide is tailored specifically to help the management and IT staff of small and midsized businesses evaluate how the IBM midmarket portfolio can provide simple and cost-effective solutions to common business problems. Along with a midmarket customer focus, this IBM RedpaperTM publication is designed to help IBM teams and Business Partners be more effective in serving small and midsized businesses. We illustrate how IBM software for the midmarket can help businesses use the Web to reduce expenses, improve customer service, and expand into new markets. We cover the IBM software offering for the midmarket, which includes what the software does, the platforms it runs on, where to find more information, and how it can help your business become more profitable: - IBM Business Partners often keep a printed copy of this guide in their briefcases for software references - Customers can view this guide online and look up software-value messages and IBM product family offering comparisons - IBM Sales Representatives can print parts of this guide as "leave-behinds" for customers, to give them extra collateral on midmarket software of interest To make sure that you have the latest version of this guide, download it from this web address: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp3975.html?Open
Enterprise Java Programming with IBM WebSphere
Author: Kyle Brown
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
ISBN: 9780321185792
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 1160
Book Description
& • Everything Java developers need to start building J2EE applications using WebSphere Tools for the WebSphere Application Server & & • Hands-on techniques and case studies: servlets, JSP, EJB, IBM VisualAge for Java, and more & & • Written by IBM insiders for IBM Press
Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
ISBN: 9780321185792
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 1160
Book Description
& • Everything Java developers need to start building J2EE applications using WebSphere Tools for the WebSphere Application Server & & • Hands-on techniques and case studies: servlets, JSP, EJB, IBM VisualAge for Java, and more & & • Written by IBM insiders for IBM Press
Building Integrated Websites with IBM Digital Experience
Author: Bernd Beilke
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738441341
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 268
Book Description
A digital experience is a personalized experience that provides employees, customers, business partners, and citizens with a single point of interaction with people, content, and applications anywhere, anytime, and from any device. The IBM® Digital Experience is a platform that is used to build powerful contextual websites. The strengths of the platform include the ability to mix applications and web content into a coherent user experience. Developers can build upon a prescriptive standard to build reusable building bricks, which can be used by line-of-business (LOB) users in a flexible way. LOB users can assemble pages from these building bricks and from rich web content. The page creation is performed inline by easy drag-and-drop operations without requiring sophisticated IT skills. This IBM Redbooks® publication describes how a team can build a website starting from a new installation of Digital Experience. The book provides examples of the basic tasks that are needed to get started with building a proof-of-concept (PoC) website example. The resulting example website illustrates the value and key capabilities of the Digital Experience suite, featuring IBM WebSphere® Portal and IBM Web Content Management. The target audiences for this book include the following groups: Decision makers and solution architects considering Digital Experience as a platform for their internal or external facing website. Developers who are tasked to implement a PoC and must be enabled to start quickly and efficiently, which includes the integration of existing back-end systems. A wide range of IBM services and sales professionals who are involved in selling IBM software and designing client solutions that include Digital Experience.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738441341
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 268
Book Description
A digital experience is a personalized experience that provides employees, customers, business partners, and citizens with a single point of interaction with people, content, and applications anywhere, anytime, and from any device. The IBM® Digital Experience is a platform that is used to build powerful contextual websites. The strengths of the platform include the ability to mix applications and web content into a coherent user experience. Developers can build upon a prescriptive standard to build reusable building bricks, which can be used by line-of-business (LOB) users in a flexible way. LOB users can assemble pages from these building bricks and from rich web content. The page creation is performed inline by easy drag-and-drop operations without requiring sophisticated IT skills. This IBM Redbooks® publication describes how a team can build a website starting from a new installation of Digital Experience. The book provides examples of the basic tasks that are needed to get started with building a proof-of-concept (PoC) website example. The resulting example website illustrates the value and key capabilities of the Digital Experience suite, featuring IBM WebSphere® Portal and IBM Web Content Management. The target audiences for this book include the following groups: Decision makers and solution architects considering Digital Experience as a platform for their internal or external facing website. Developers who are tasked to implement a PoC and must be enabled to start quickly and efficiently, which includes the integration of existing back-end systems. A wide range of IBM services and sales professionals who are involved in selling IBM software and designing client solutions that include Digital Experience.
Virtualization with IBM Workload Deployer: Designing and Deploying Virtual Systems
Author: Carla Sadtler
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436003
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 362
Book Description
The IBM® Workload Deployer appliance provides a solid foundation for private cloud strategy, enabling the rapid adoption and deployment of both infrastructure and platform as a Service offering. The IBM Workload Deployer uses the concept of patterns to describe the logical configuration of both the physical and virtual assets that comprise a particular solution. The use of patterns allows an organization to construct an individual element or integrated solution one time, and then dispense the final product on demand. Virtual system patterns are comprised of an operating system and IBM software solutions, such as WebSphere® Application Server and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise. Virtual application patterns are constructed to support a single application workload. This book focuses on the virtual systems capability of the IBM Workload Deployer and specifically addresses the process of building customized virtual systems that go beyond the standard capabilities of the virtual images available with the product. The book starts by describing private clouds and how they can benefit your business. It introduces the IBM Workload Deployer and its capabilities, and then talks about the various tools that you can use to enhance the process of planning, customizing, and automating virtual system deployment. A sample is used to illustrate how the standard virtual images that are available for the IBM Workload Deployer can be customized for a robust solution that includes dynamic workload management, high-performing data caching, and monitoring of system state. The book then discusses how you can use the IBM Workload Deployer to facilitate the progression of an application through its lifecycle. Finally, an overview is provided of the troubleshooting capabilities that come with the IBM Workload Deployer.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436003
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 362
Book Description
The IBM® Workload Deployer appliance provides a solid foundation for private cloud strategy, enabling the rapid adoption and deployment of both infrastructure and platform as a Service offering. The IBM Workload Deployer uses the concept of patterns to describe the logical configuration of both the physical and virtual assets that comprise a particular solution. The use of patterns allows an organization to construct an individual element or integrated solution one time, and then dispense the final product on demand. Virtual system patterns are comprised of an operating system and IBM software solutions, such as WebSphere® Application Server and WebSphere Virtual Enterprise. Virtual application patterns are constructed to support a single application workload. This book focuses on the virtual systems capability of the IBM Workload Deployer and specifically addresses the process of building customized virtual systems that go beyond the standard capabilities of the virtual images available with the product. The book starts by describing private clouds and how they can benefit your business. It introduces the IBM Workload Deployer and its capabilities, and then talks about the various tools that you can use to enhance the process of planning, customizing, and automating virtual system deployment. A sample is used to illustrate how the standard virtual images that are available for the IBM Workload Deployer can be customized for a robust solution that includes dynamic workload management, high-performing data caching, and monitoring of system state. The book then discusses how you can use the IBM Workload Deployer to facilitate the progression of an application through its lifecycle. Finally, an overview is provided of the troubleshooting capabilities that come with the IBM Workload Deployer.
Developing and Hosting Applications on the Cloud
Author: Alex Amies
Publisher: IBM Press
ISBN: 0133066851
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 837
Book Description
A Complete, Practical Guide to Building and Hosting Cloud Services That Deliver Exceptional Business Value In this unique title, key developers of the IBM SmartCloud Enterprise share indispensable insights for developing and operating cloud-based solutions on any cloud platform. Drawing on their unsurpassed in-the-trenches experience, the authors help you develop the new mindset and skills needed to succeed in cloud environments, where development, business, and system operations are linked more tightly than ever. Using examples based on IBM SmartCloud Enterprise, the authors cover a wide variety of cloud "use cases," while also introducing general principles for automating and optimizing IT infrastructure in any cloud environment. They begin by presenting an authoritative, accessible review of cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud concepts. Next, they demonstrate how to use cloud tools, develop basic cloud applications, and utilize standards to establish interoperability between clouds. Finally, drawing on deep personal experience, they offer best-practice solutions for all facets of cloud hosting, including security, monitoring, performance, availability, and business support. Throughout, they emphasize real-world problem solving, offering numerous code examples and practical demonstrations of real-world tools and utilities. Coverage includes Understanding each cloud deployment model: private, community, public, and hybrid Reviewing key cloud computing use cases, including those based on virtualization and collaboration Developing for the cloud with the LAMP stack, Windows, J2EE, WebSphere, and other technologies Building apps for the IBM SmartCloud Enterprise public infrastructure Using the command line toolkit, Java, and REST APIs to manage IBM SmartCloud Enterprise resources Exploring cloud computing standards and open source projects that promote interoperability among clouds Building cloud applications to customize images, deliver network services, install/manage software, and provide remote desktops Using IBM's powerful self-service and delegated administration models and best-of-breed VM images Leveraging open source projects for cloud service management and virtualization Understanding cloud service security: trusted certificates, identity/access management, SSH, HTTPS, IPSec, application hardening, and much more Monitoring and optimizing performance and availability through the entire system lifecycle Managing, scaling, and automating cloud applications to meet business needs This title will be valuable to every enterprise developer, architect, and IT manager seeking the full benefits of cloud-based services; all ISVs building value-add services on public clouds; and everyone building applications that rely heavily on IaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), or Business as a Service (BaaS).
Publisher: IBM Press
ISBN: 0133066851
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 837
Book Description
A Complete, Practical Guide to Building and Hosting Cloud Services That Deliver Exceptional Business Value In this unique title, key developers of the IBM SmartCloud Enterprise share indispensable insights for developing and operating cloud-based solutions on any cloud platform. Drawing on their unsurpassed in-the-trenches experience, the authors help you develop the new mindset and skills needed to succeed in cloud environments, where development, business, and system operations are linked more tightly than ever. Using examples based on IBM SmartCloud Enterprise, the authors cover a wide variety of cloud "use cases," while also introducing general principles for automating and optimizing IT infrastructure in any cloud environment. They begin by presenting an authoritative, accessible review of cloud computing and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) cloud concepts. Next, they demonstrate how to use cloud tools, develop basic cloud applications, and utilize standards to establish interoperability between clouds. Finally, drawing on deep personal experience, they offer best-practice solutions for all facets of cloud hosting, including security, monitoring, performance, availability, and business support. Throughout, they emphasize real-world problem solving, offering numerous code examples and practical demonstrations of real-world tools and utilities. Coverage includes Understanding each cloud deployment model: private, community, public, and hybrid Reviewing key cloud computing use cases, including those based on virtualization and collaboration Developing for the cloud with the LAMP stack, Windows, J2EE, WebSphere, and other technologies Building apps for the IBM SmartCloud Enterprise public infrastructure Using the command line toolkit, Java, and REST APIs to manage IBM SmartCloud Enterprise resources Exploring cloud computing standards and open source projects that promote interoperability among clouds Building cloud applications to customize images, deliver network services, install/manage software, and provide remote desktops Using IBM's powerful self-service and delegated administration models and best-of-breed VM images Leveraging open source projects for cloud service management and virtualization Understanding cloud service security: trusted certificates, identity/access management, SSH, HTTPS, IPSec, application hardening, and much more Monitoring and optimizing performance and availability through the entire system lifecycle Managing, scaling, and automating cloud applications to meet business needs This title will be valuable to every enterprise developer, architect, and IT manager seeking the full benefits of cloud-based services; all ISVs building value-add services on public clouds; and everyone building applications that rely heavily on IaaS, Platform as a Service (PaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), or Business as a Service (BaaS).
IBM Workload Deployer: Pattern-based Application and Middleware Deployments in a Private Cloud
Author: Carla Sadtler
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436550
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 424
Book Description
IBM® Workload Deployer provides a solution to creating, deploying, and managing workloads in an on-premise or private cloud. It is rich in features that allow you to quickly build and deploy virtual systems from base images, to extend those images, and to customize them for future use as repeatable deployable units. IBM Workload Deployer also provides an application-centric capability enabling rapid deployment of business applications. By using either of these deployment models, an organization can quickly instantiate a complete application platform for development, test, or production. The IBM Workload Deployer uses the concept of patterns to describe the logical configuration of both the physical and virtual assets that comprise a particular solution. The use of patterns allows an organization to construct a deployable solution one time, and then dispense the final product on demand. patterns are composed of an operating system and IBM software solutions, such as IBM WebSphere® Application Server and IBM WebSphere Virtual Enterprise. patterns are constructed to support a single application workload. The IBM Workload Deployer is shipped with a set of pre-loaded virtual images and virtual patterns. These images and patterns can be used to create comprehensive and flexible middleware solutions. They can also be cloned and customized to suit your specific needs. This IBM Redbooks® publication looks at two different aspects of customizing virtual systems for deployment into the cloud. First, it explores the capabilities of IBM Image Construction and Composition Tool to build and provide highly customized virtual images for use in virtual system patterns on the IBM Workload Deployer. Next, it looks at the virtual application capabilities of the IBM Workload Deployer, including those capabilities that allow you to deploy enterprise applications and database services to the cloud. It also introduces the IBM Workload Deployer Plugin Development Kit, which allows you to further extend the capabilities of the virtual application patterns.
Publisher: IBM Redbooks
ISBN: 0738436550
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 424
Book Description
IBM® Workload Deployer provides a solution to creating, deploying, and managing workloads in an on-premise or private cloud. It is rich in features that allow you to quickly build and deploy virtual systems from base images, to extend those images, and to customize them for future use as repeatable deployable units. IBM Workload Deployer also provides an application-centric capability enabling rapid deployment of business applications. By using either of these deployment models, an organization can quickly instantiate a complete application platform for development, test, or production. The IBM Workload Deployer uses the concept of patterns to describe the logical configuration of both the physical and virtual assets that comprise a particular solution. The use of patterns allows an organization to construct a deployable solution one time, and then dispense the final product on demand. patterns are composed of an operating system and IBM software solutions, such as IBM WebSphere® Application Server and IBM WebSphere Virtual Enterprise. patterns are constructed to support a single application workload. The IBM Workload Deployer is shipped with a set of pre-loaded virtual images and virtual patterns. These images and patterns can be used to create comprehensive and flexible middleware solutions. They can also be cloned and customized to suit your specific needs. This IBM Redbooks® publication looks at two different aspects of customizing virtual systems for deployment into the cloud. First, it explores the capabilities of IBM Image Construction and Composition Tool to build and provide highly customized virtual images for use in virtual system patterns on the IBM Workload Deployer. Next, it looks at the virtual application capabilities of the IBM Workload Deployer, including those capabilities that allow you to deploy enterprise applications and database services to the cloud. It also introduces the IBM Workload Deployer Plugin Development Kit, which allows you to further extend the capabilities of the virtual application patterns.