Autonomic personal computing is personal computing on autonomic computing platforms. Its goals combine those of personal computing with those of autonomic computing. The challenge of personal autonomic computing is to simplify and enhance the end-user experience, delighting the user by anticipating his or her needs in the face of a complex, dynamic, and uncertain environment. In this paper we identify the key technologies that enable autonomic behavior as distinguished from fault-tolerant behavior. We give some examples of current autonomic behavior and some general considerations for an architecture that supports autonomic personal computing. We identify its challenges to standards and technology developers and conclude with some guidance for future work.Autonomic personal computing is defined here as personal computing on autonomic computing systems. It shares the goals of personal computingresponsiveness, ease of use, and flexibility-with those of autonomic computing-simplicity of use, availability, and security. In most cases these goals are complementary. For example, autonomic computing enhances ease of use because it eliminates or simplifies some user responsibilities. But personal computing implies flexibility of location and of the hardware and software configuration, and this complicates the job of achieving autonomic behavior. It is easier to configure, heal, optimize, and protect a system in an environment that does not change. If we can achieve autonomic behavior while still meeting the unique needs of personal computing, millions of users will benefit worldwide.The intention of this paper, then, is to identify the unique demands and opportunities of autonomic computing with personal devices. Our ground rules are that we seek to achieve autonomic behavior of a personal computing system-personal computers (PCs) and their peers, networks, and servers-not just the PC alone. We also limit our focus to application platforms, not to applications themselves. This distinction is somewhat equivocal and quantitative, however, because yesterday's applications are often tomorrow's platforms.In what follows, we first look deeper into the meaning of the autonomic attributes of personal computing, which are different from fault-tolerant attributes. We then categorize technologies as they relate to achieving autonomic behavior in different variations: within the PC, in PC communities, and in more general systems that include servers. We give some examples of the state of the art and identify missing or incomplete capabilities. We describe some general considerations for an architecture that supports autonomic personal computing, identify some issues, and suggest a direction for future research and development.

IT Autopilot is a flexible architecture to support the delivery of information technology (IT) systems management services. Complex services that involve several tools require integration between the tools and automated processes that can invoke multiple tools. Designed primarily for the small and mid-sized enterprise, the architecture of IT Autopilot allows it to be deployed as a set of local and remote services delivered by the enterprise or by service providers as a flexible and extensible service offering. The IT Autopilot integrated IT service management platform is able to combine different tools and services to create specific, customized IT service solutions. Using the analogy of an autopilot on an airplane, the pilot first performs a set of manual operations to get the airplane off the ground and flying. Next, the autopilot is engaged to carry on normal flight operations. In our vision, there is an initial manual configuration step before IT Autopilot is enabled to take over and maintain the customer's normal IT operational state. In this paper we explain our vision and describe the prototype system we have implemented.

In this paper, we discuss the advantages of leveraging the cloud to provide a cost-effective and secure platform for the delivery of enterprise mobile services. We describe the various components and functions required for the delivery of those services, along with the components and functions that comprise cost-effective and secure cloudbased mobile services solution.

Mobile handheld devices communicating over wireless networks now represent a capable, robust, cost-effective platform for enterprise mobile solutions. These solutions must be manageable, secure, scalable, and capable of integration with other enterprise components. The scale of enterprise mobile solution deployments demands high levels of automation to keep labor costs in check and ensure compliance with enterprise standards for security and availability. This paper describes the design and deployment of BlueStar, a prototype automated management system for the delivery of enterprise mobile services. We are currently leveraging BlueStar's management capabilities within the context of a mobile claims processing solution for the property and casualty insurance industry. We show how computer-based management processes and policies contribute to high levels of automation, making it possible to deploy applications and services in a property and casualty enterprise.

Abstract-Rapid advances in cloud computing have made it possible to replace individual working environments with centralized and consolidated workplaces. These workplaces bring many advantages over traditional self-managed environments, such as improved security and compliance, and rapid on-boarding. In this paper we describe the implementation of a desktop cloud at IBM Research.