Book excerpt: This IBM® Redbooks® publication introduces the IBM Software Defined Environment (SDE) solution, which helps to optimize the entire computing infrastructure--compute, storage, and network resources--so that it can adapt to the type of work required. In today's environment, resources are assigned manually to workloads, but that happens automatically in a SDE. In an SDE, workloads are dynamically assigned to IT resources based on application characteristics, best-available resources, and service level policies so that they deliver continuous, dynamic optimization and reconfiguration to address infrastructure issues. Underlying all of this are policy-based compliance checks and updates in a centrally managed environment. Readers get a broad introduction to the new architecture. Think integration, automation, and optimization. Those are enablers of cloud delivery and analytics. SDE can accelerate business success by matching workloads and resources so that you have a responsive, adaptive environment. With the IBM Software Defined Environment, infrastructure is fully programmable to rapidly deploy workloads on optimal resources and to instantly respond to changing business demands. This information is intended for IBM sales representatives, IBM software architects, IBM Systems Technology Group brand specialists, distributors, resellers, and anyone who is developing or implementing SDE.