Last month IBM formally launched new POWER8-based Power Systems servers—the first generation of Power servers built on an open server platform. IBM’s open strategy for its Power Systems lineup does not come as a surprise to those who have followed this space closely over the last year. From the launch of the first Power Systems Linux Center in Beijing in May 2013 to the formal launch of the OpenPOWER Foundation, IBM has been active on a number of fronts preparing to introduce its POWER8 systems as the world’s first open server platform. IBM’s first Power Systems Linux center was followed in short order by others in New York City; Austin, Texas; Montpellier, France; and Tokyo. The centers make it simpler for software developers to build and deploy new applications for big data, cloud, mobile and social business computing on open technology building blocks using Linux and the latest IBM POWER processor technology. With the OpenPOWER Foundation, IBM is bucking the trend of other chip and server manufacturers’ proprietary business models and has released detailed technical specifications for its POWER8 processor, inviting collaborators and competitors alike to innovate on the processor and server platform, providing a catalyst for new innovation. – See more at: http://www.eweek.com/servers/slideshows/ibms-power-play-aims-to-disrupt-server-industry.html#sthash.xjR0Pj7Y.dpuf