Server virtualization is a technology that has taken hold with amazing speed and is now firmly entrenched with overwhelming success in many data centers. This perspective document recaps why you should be moving ahead quickly with virtualization (if you haven't already done so), what the implications are for IT and the business, and what the future holds as the ramifications of virtualization become apparent. It is important that CIOs understand the technical, political, and organizational effects of this new technology so that they are better prepared to discuss virtualization plans with their technical staff.