which include consolidation of resources, easier management of infrastructure, and simplification and centralization of storage applications— are being incorporated not only into standalone products, but integrated into solutions across a wide spectrum. Software providers who spearheaded the original push to add virtualization to storage area networks have gone beyond promoting "virtualization" as a technology and instead have learned that what customers really care about: solving their pressing data storage needs. When it comes down to buying solutions, they are less concerned about the whiz bang technology of "virtualization," and more concerned about if those solutions can provide them with the ability to protect and manage their data better. Whether a product helps them manage their data center better through virtualization or any other technology, when it comes down to the bottom line, customers are only concerned about how well it helps them achieve their goals.