IBM is adding shared storage to its BladeCenter S systems aimed at delivering a simplified IT environment for small and medium-sized business customers.

Available in volume later in October, the BladeCenter S with shared storage will enable customers to share information across all blades in a single chassis for improved utilisation, reliability and reduced costs, IBM said.

The move will bring enterprise-class storage capabilities to smaller firms and branch offices that lack the IT staff and budgets to manage expanding volumes of business information, according to IBM, cutting the cost of shared storage by 30 to 40 per cent.

Prices for IBM's BladeCenter S systems start at $2,599 (£1,477) which includes power supplies, fans, rack rails and a DVD/CD combo drive.

IBM also announced the BladeCenter Start Now Advisor, which claims to guide customers through setting up a system in 30 minutes or less, plus the BladeCenter Service Advisor that provides a 'call home' feature to alert IBM or the customer's service provider to any problems.