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FastScale Scopes Out Virtualization: Page 2 of 3

At least one analyst told Byte and Switch that FastScale could also find itself up against big name products like IBM's Tivoli Director and CA's Unicenter. FastScale's software "could enable very fast and very scalable provisioning of applications and entire operating environments," says Andi Mann, senior analyst at Enterprise Management Associates. "You could use your physical resources much more effectively and efficiently with this stuff."

The startup has already picked up six beta customers, according to LeBlanc, including both traditional end-users and OEM partners. She would not reveal the identities of these firms, although she was more forthcoming on FastScale's expansion plans.

The Sunnyvale, Calif.-based vendor currently has 16 employees, and LeBlanc expects this figure to reach 38 by the end of this year. "It will be pretty much across the board -- sales and support, engineering, operations, marketing, and a little bit in finance," she says.

Despite the growing demand for products that can streamline data center processes, EMA's Mann warns that FastScale is unlikely to be a silver bullet for users' data center woes. "If I am looking for a full provisioning solution," he says, "I will probably not be looking at FastScale, because they do not do [provisioning] for networking gear or storage."

Rival vendor Opsware recently unveiled its plans to expand its data center automation software into the storage realm. (See Opsware Outlines Storage Plan, Opsware Gains CreekPath, and Ocular, MegaSys Work Together.) Opsware, which started life targeting server management, has since expanded its software portfolio to include networking devices, and is expected to launch its Application Storage Automation System (ASAS) later this year. (See Opsware Opens Up on Storage and Opsware Acquires iConclude.)