Fluid Air announces the release of a white paper detailing the advantages of the use of virtual machines in pharmaceutical process control software.
Virtualization, the process of using software to replicate a computer operating environment (including both hardware and software), allows multiple simulated “virtual” computers to run on a single host computer. The utilization of virtualization technology can provide benefits throughout the software lifecycle. In the project phase, Fluid Air uses virtual machines to reduce setup time and increase computer setup quality, which are both benefits that Fluid Air passes on to the customer.
Once a control system is in place and operational, virtualization technology helps to simplify disaster recovery procedures. By accessing a copy of the virtual machine, software engineers are able to restore the end user’s malfunctioning control system to an operational state, greatly reducing downtime in the event of system failure.
When an existing control system is removed or replaced, virtualization also enables end users to meet federal regulations for data retention. A virtual machine can easily be copied to another computer to maintain data access once a system is decommissioned.
