| | New POWER5 System Design Packs Supercomputing Power Into Small Space | IBM 2005 1st Quarter Results | IBM, Intel Open BladeCenter Design Specifications | IBM Technology Serves Up Timely US Open Tennis Results On Demand | IBM Delivers New, World-Class In-Car Speech Recognition System for Navigation in 2005 Honda Cars | IBM Unveils New PartnerWorld Industry Network for Automotive Business Application Software Providers | New POWER5 System Design Packs Supercomputing Power Into Small Space
PITTSBURGH, PA -- Nov 9, 2004 -- SUPERCOMPUTING 2004 -- IBM today offered clients a glimpse of the future of supercomputers with the introduction of a pre-release version of a new sleek, high-density POWER5(TM) processor-based server system that can be easily clustered for high performance supercomputing.Previewed for the first time today at the SC2004 Conference in Pittsburgh, the new p5-575 is an ultra-thin cluster building-block, and will extend on the success of the eServer(TM) p655 -- a system which has been at the core of supercomputing solutions that power work in areas such as genome research, automotive crash-testing, petroleum exploration, and oceanographic, atmospheric and energy studies. "Today we have offered the supercomputing community a glimpse into stunning new technology with POWER5 systems taking on an entirely new form," said Karl Freund, vice president, IBM pSeries. "IBM engineers have pushed server design to a new level -- combining innovative, high-density design with cutting edge technologies to enhance speed and performance in a remarkably small device." IBM intends to deliver extraordinary innovations in the p5-575, bringing the systems to the forefront of 'off the shelf' supercomputing technology. The new systems use ultra-dense packaging technology innovations to provide high-speed connections between eight POWER5 processors. These new developments in shared memory and high-bandwidth connections between nodes are designed to provide new levels of performance required for high performance computing. The new technology will allow up to 64 eight-processor p5-575 cluster nodes to create a single high-performance system with stunning performance capabilities -- which when released will bring high-density configurations and ease of administration to IBM clients with intense supercomputing application needs. Built on IBM's industry-leading 64-bit POWER5 technology, the p5-575 is planned to be available with 1.9 GHz POWER5 processors and support for AIX 5L(TM) Version 5.2 and 5.3, as well as Linux® operating systems. The p5-575 will have a distinctive single-core implementation of IBM POWER5 processor technology -- with 36 MB of dedicated L3 cache memory for each core. While the versatile p5-575 nodes will be able to be clustered together for computationally complex supercomputing applications, they will additionally be well-suited for deployment in support of large scale data mining and business intelligence applications. |
| IBM Reports 2005 First-Quarter Results ARMONK, N.Y., April 14, 2005 . . . IBM today announced first-quarter 2005 diluted earnings per common share of $.85 from continuing operations as reported, including the effect of expensing share-based compensation, compared with diluted earnings on a similar basis of $.79 per share in the first quarter of 2004, an increase of 8 percent. First-quarter income from continuing operations was $1.41 billion, including the adoption of expensing equity compensation, compared with $1.36 billion a year ago, an increase of 3 percent. Revenues from continuing operations for the first quarter were $22.9 billion, up 3 percent, compared with revenues of $22.2 billion for the first quarter of 2004. Read the rest of the article here |
IBM, Intel Open BladeCenter Design Specifications
Companies Simplify Server Design
SANTA CLARA, Calif. & ARMONK, N.Y. -- Sept. 2, 2004 -- IBM, in collaboration with Intel Corporation, has made available the design specifications for the IBM eServer® BladeCenter(TM) platform. The specifications allow hardware vendors to more easily create BladeCenter-compatible products and participate in the rapidly growing blade server market segment. The design specifications are intended to help hardware vendors develop and build BladeCenter-compatible networking switches, adapter cards and appliance and communications blades for enterprise networks. BladeCenter integrates storage, servers and networking in a single chassis to provide customers with a single point of server management and provisioning. "Customers have made it clear that they desire the ability to use best-of-breed products that are easily integrated and managed," said Jeff Benck, vice president, IBM eServer BladeCenter. "The opening of the BladeCenter specifications continues Intel's and IBM's commitment to industry collaboration and to delivering the value, flexibility and choice that customers expect from blade servers." IBM and Intel will provide technical support to assist product development, including design guidelines and hands-on, fee-based support from IBM's Engineering & Technology Services organization. The specifications are available with royalty-free licenses to IBM or Intel technology. By making the specifications more broadly available, IBM and Intel are helping to build an ecosystem of products that deliver value, flexibility and choice for customers deploying the IBM eServer BladeCenter and Intel's OEM blade server platform. "Third-party hardware vendors have been looking for ways to participate in the rapidly growing blade server market," said Jeff Richardson, general manager of Intel's enterprise products and services division. "The public availability of the design specifications provides hardware vendors access to the blades market serviced by the BladeCenter platform as well as supporting IBM's and Intel's effort to establish a broader portfolio of third-party value-add products." Enterprise networking vendors can now develop products that are compliant with the BladeCenter architecture. This will help ensure that future BladeCenter-based deployments will seamlessly integrate into enterprise customer's IT infrastructure. In addition, telecommunications vendors can now obtain the specifications for IBM's eServer BladeCenterT designed for dense, compute-intensive server platforms, enabling a common infrastructure between a carrier's enterprise and IT infrastructure. This will complement the industry standards-based AdvancedTCA (ATCA) specification for platforms used throughout the service-provider public-network infrastructure. To learn more about the specifications, licensing and service offerings, visit IBM at www.ibm.com/servers/eserver/bladecenter/open_specs.html or Intel at www.developer.intel.com/design/servers/blades. About IBM
IBM is the largest IT company in the world and creates and develops the most advanced IT solutions in the industry, including hardware, software and services. For more information, please visit www.ibm.com. About Intel
Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom. | | IBM Technology Serves Up Timely US Open Tennis Results On Demand
IBM eServer i5 System Newest Component to Technology Solution
ARMONK, NY -- Sep 1, 2004 -- For the thirteenth year in a row, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) will rely on IBM as its technology partner for the 2004 US Open tennis tournament. IBM provides equipment and services for exclusive match results and statistics collection; information and graphics to television broadcasters and other media; tournament data to on-site locations around the USTA National Tennis Center and to the Internet via the official Web site www.USOpen.org. This year, IBM introduces a new component to the US Open's technology solution -- the recently launched IBM eServer i5 server. Launched in May 2004, the eServer i5 server was the first server built with IBM's revolutionary POWER5 microprocessor technology and is ideal for small to medium sized businesses like the USTA. Using IBM's Virtualization Engine technology and multiple operating system support, an eServer i5 520 running Linux and i5/OS and integrating an xSeries server allows the USTA to consolidate its applications onto one server. This configuration represents the debut of Linux on IBM's newest POWER5 processor. The eServer i5 system will run the USOpen.org Internet scoring system, content publisher and staging server through the tournament's conclusion on September 12, 2004. Tennis fans worldwide will be able to follow the action on USOpen.org thanks to the Internet scoring system fueled by a Linux partition on the eServer i5 server running DB2 Universal Database, WebSphere and Linux on POWER. This solution is crucial to providing on demand point-by-point scoring and statistics craved by loyal fans and necessary for reporters and editors covering the event. "USOpen.org is a critical component of the US Open and to the over 15.2 million visits to the site. We needed a system that is reliable, flexible and secure to keep up with the constant activity and excitement of the tournament," said Ezra Kucharz, managing director, Advanced Media, USTA. "For us, the eServer i5 was the best choice for our needs. The ability to consolidate our applications onto one server has made it easier for us to manage our technology requirements." IBM Serves Up Tivoli and Linux at the US Open
Last year IBM introduced Tivoli ThinkDynamic(TM) Orchestrator, which permits autonomic provisioning between different applications, on different servers. Using predictive modeling, the system automatically allocates server capacity to where it is needed, improving utilization rates and cost effectiveness. With Tivoli, other projects can simultaneously take advantage of under-utilized capacity, some of which is built into the IBM infrastructure for redundancy, to effectively leverage resources. During non-peak times for USOpen.org, the servers are also running protein folding and credit scoring applications for other IBM clients. In 2002, USOpen.org incorporated the open standards-based Linux operating system in its IT infrastructure to handle traffic flowing to the site during the tournament. Linux provides highly scalable, reliable and flexible computing power to manage spikes in demand during the two-week event. The USTA benefits by operating at peak capacity without the expense of a year-round infrastructure. At the same time, Linux helps meet the site's requirements for high availability, reliability and manageability. Linux was chosen as the Web site Staging server based on its price and performance. The DB2® Universal Database for Linux tallies on-site scores and generates match statistics, live scores, draws, completed matches and player biographies. The scoring system also takes advantage of IBM eServer xSeries® Blade servers running Linux. The BladeCenter combines power with portability and highly effective space utilization. "The USTA looks to IBM for the technology to enhance the information and service provided to the fans, media and broadcasters through real-time, on demand scoring and analysis as well as hosting USOpen.org," said Rick Singer, director of worldwide sponsorship marketing for IBM. "IBM is constantly looking for ways to bring new technologies to the USTA and fans in a cost-efficient manner. The USTA is a great example of an on demand business looking to provide its constituents with the information they want, whenever and wherever they want it." Thirty on-site writers, editors, producers, audio/video engineers and photo editors enter, approve and publish the content of the USOpen.org Web site using a Linux-based eServer x365 system running WebSphere Portal content publisher. The x365 is a 4-way, Intel-based server, with no internal storage, attached to the eServer i5 via a high-speed PCI card adaptor. It offloads the i5 server from compute-intensive document preparation and approval tasks so that the Linux partitions can be dedicated to serving the fans and press covering the event. Last year's US Open saw an average of 35 articles, and 80 photos published, with more than 12 hours of broadband programming daily. The staging server runs in another Linux partition and combines content from the Internet Scoring system and the content publisher to form the USOpen.org Web pages. These pages are then sent to Web servers allowing photos to be sent, scores to be followed and statistics to be monitored. This year marks the thirteenth year IBM is a proud sponsor of the US Open, the single largest annual sports event in the world with more than 630,000 fans in attendance annually. IBM is the official information technology partner of the US Open. In addition to USOpen.org, the company provides equipment and services for match results and statistics collection; information and graphics to television broadcasters and other media; and tournament data to on-site locations at the USTA National Tennis Center. IBM and the USTA have worked together to produce the official US Open Web site since 1995. About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology, business and technology services, consulting services, IT research and IT financing organization. The company creates solutions for client's business problems and helps clients transform their businesses into on demand enterprises. For more information, visit www.ibm.com. | | IBM Delivers New, World-Class In-Car Speech Recognition System for Navigation in 2005 Honda Cars
IBM's Breakthrough Embedded ViaVoice(R) Technology Recognizes Street Names; Solution Bundled with Real-Time Navigation and Zagat Survey
SOMERS, N.Y. -- Sept. 1, 2004 -- IBM®, the world leader in information technology innovation, today announced that it has jointly developed with Honda Motor Company a unique, hands-free and natural-sounding in-vehicle speech-recognition system - the industry's leading-edge navigation application. Honda will offer the system as standard equipment on the 2005 Acura RL and as options on both the 2005 Acura MDX and 2005 Honda Odyssey in the United States and Canada beginning this month. Using IBM Embedded ViaVoice software, Honda is the first car manufacturer to equip automobiles with in-car navigation systems using advanced speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities that can identify spoken street and city names that exist across the entire continental United States. This allows drivers to speak all street addresses represented in the US navigation system database and receive turn-by-turn voice guidance to their destinations. The breakthrough voice-recognition system can also enable enhanced ease-of-use by eliminating the need for drivers to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, since no typing on touch screens or manual dialing is required. To create this advanced, natural-sounding text-to-speech system, IBM and Honda research-and-development teams digitally processed hundreds of hours of speech recordings previously found in earlier-model Honda systems. They also produced hundreds of additional recordings to design a high-quality, customized, natural-sounding text-to-speech voice, digitally segmenting speech and intonations that can allow vehicles to communicate naturally with their drivers. The result: a totally new type of speech synthesis that can capture the characteristics of the human voice. In addition to the natural-sounding text-to-speech, the Honda Odyssey, the Acura RL and the Acura MDX now feature more than 700 commands and more than 1.7 million street and city names that are accessible by voice. Another unique system feature is nationwide dining information from Zagat's Survey, which provides drivers and their passengers the ability to request the names of, and directions to, nearby restaurants and also listen to or view restaurant reviews. Besides its advanced speech recognition capabilities, the 2005 Acura RL comes equipped with the first real-time traffic navigation system in the United States, which integrates real-time traffic data into the navigation display. Other integrated features include: - AcuraLink, which communicates information between dealers and drivers, and
- HandsFreeLink, which uses BlueTooth technology to synchronize personal cell-phone data within the car environment; this provides drivers hands-free, speech-enabled dialing on phones with built-in BlueTooth capability.
IBM's voice-recognition technology is integrated into the car's audio system so that driving instructions can be heard over the speakers. Alongside its navigation functions, the system also provides command-and-control capabilities for audio, DVD entertainment system (Odyssey) and climate control functions. Honda and IBM, using IBM Embedded ViaVoice, have deployed leading-edge voice-enabled telematics solutions since 2003. User satisfaction with the Voice Recognition-enabled systems has been outstanding due to Honda's engineering ability and the strength of IBM Embedded ViaVoice's speech technology and automotive telematics solutions. The new Honda navigation system is the latest in a broad portfolio of in-vehicle solutions that combine IBM's pervasive computing technology and telematics know-how. Software and electronics comprise a rapidly growing percentage of innovation and differentiation in cars today. IBM's integrated, open-standards-based software and telematics solutions are increasingly allowing data to benefit customers virtually wherever they are, helping to create entirely new industry models. "Drivers can now fully access the majority of the resources inside the navigation system with voice input" said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As in-car navigation systems evolve and become more commonplace in today's vehicles, our extensive voice-recognition features give Honda and Acura products a distinct competitive advantage." IBM's advanced software and telematics solutions featuring Embedded ViaVoice deliver IBM speech technology to mobile devices that include smart phones, handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) and automobile components. "By 2012, telematics services will be accessible in more than half of all new vehicle models," said Gartner's Thilo Koslowski. "The industry will shift from a vehicle-centered approach to one centered on the mobile customer. This transformation will make telematics an essential element of a new generation of personalized mobile services. "IBM is proud of its history of teamwork with Honda - a history that leverages our full portfolio of technologies, products and services. The latest of these, a unique and sophisticated speech-enabled navigation system jointly developed by Honda R&D and IBM, illustrates the deep relationship IBM has with its industry partners," said Janette Beauchamp, General Manager, IBM Global Automotive Industry. "From software and hardware solutions to consulting expertise, IBM is helping world-class companies like Honda to break new ground for their customers by implementing high-quality, innovative solutions that puts them ahead of their competition." The 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan is all new for the 2005 model year and adds new style, performance and sophistication along with class-leading fuel economy, power and features, with room for eight passengers. The Acura RL, also new for 2005, features a 300-horsepower V-6 engine with an innovative Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, among its many other refinements. The Odyssey will go on sale at Honda dealerships in September, and the RL will be available at Acura dealerships in October. About IBM:
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM is among the first companies to offer leading-edge technology and tools to its customers and enable them to deliver advanced telematics solutions. Through years of expertise and research in the automotive industry, IBM and IBM Business Partners have built a flexible and reliable portfolio of software (such as speech recognition and wireless technologies), hardware, IT services, development platforms and innovative tools. IBM's end-to-end architecture fully integrates open standards. It links both portable and embedded hardware devices to the Internet via wireless networks and leverages native and Java applications to exchange data to and from the vehicles with wireless telematics service providers. Addressing issues such as safety, privacy, convenience and connectivity, our in-vehicle information systems and solutions enable our customers to deliver hands-free and eyes-free technology as part of developing invaluable and long-term relationships with their customers. And our approach is not only centered around technology. It's about delivering business value at an accelerated pace. IBM believes in a value net approach, working with device manufacturers, carriers, and content providers to provide outstanding enabling technology and IT services to provide a complete solution. As the telematics revolution is now gaining momentum in other industries such as insurance, petroleum and commercial markets, IBM's vision will prepare customers for the next generation of e-business infrastructure for many years to come. Please visit our Telematics Solutions site at www.ibm.com/industries/automotive for further details and references. About Honda and Acura
Honda is the world's preeminent engine-maker, building more than 17 million engines globally in 2003 for its diverse line-up of automobiles, motorcycles and power products. Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979 and this year celebrates 25 years of U.S. production. Honda began automobile manufacturing in the U.S. in 1982 with the Accord and was the first Japanese automaker to build products for the North American market in the United States. Zagat Survey is the world's leading provider of consumer opinion based leisure content. With more than 250,000 surveyors, Zagat Survey ratings and reviews cover restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment resources. Zagat content is available in print, on the Web, on the Palm and Pocket PC operating systems, on mobile phones and on TV and radio. For more information, visit www.Zagat.com. |
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IBM Delivers New, World-Class In-Car Speech Recognition System for Navigation in 2005 Honda Cars
IBM's Breakthrough Embedded ViaVoice(R) Technology Recognizes Street Names; Solution Bundled with Real-Time Navigation and Zagat Survey
SOMERS, N.Y. -- Sept. 1, 2004 -- IBM®, the world leader in information technology innovation, today announced that it has jointly developed with Honda Motor Company a unique, hands-free and natural-sounding in-vehicle speech-recognition system - the industry's leading-edge navigation application. Honda will offer the system as standard equipment on the 2005 Acura RL and as options on both the 2005 Acura MDX and 2005 Honda Odyssey in the United States and Canada beginning this month. Using IBM Embedded ViaVoice software, Honda is the first car manufacturer to equip automobiles with in-car navigation systems using advanced speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities that can identify spoken street and city names that exist across the entire continental United States. This allows drivers to speak all street addresses represented in the US navigation system database and receive turn-by-turn voice guidance to their destinations. The breakthrough voice-recognition system can also enable enhanced ease-of-use by eliminating the need for drivers to take their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, since no typing on touch screens or manual dialing is required. To create this advanced, natural-sounding text-to-speech system, IBM and Honda research-and-development teams digitally processed hundreds of hours of speech recordings previously found in earlier-model Honda systems. They also produced hundreds of additional recordings to design a high-quality, customized, natural-sounding text-to-speech voice, digitally segmenting speech and intonations that can allow vehicles to communicate naturally with their drivers. The result: a totally new type of speech synthesis that can capture the characteristics of the human voice. In addition to the natural-sounding text-to-speech, the Honda Odyssey, the Acura RL and the Acura MDX now feature more than 700 commands and more than 1.7 million street and city names that are accessible by voice. Another unique system feature is nationwide dining information from Zagat's Survey, which provides drivers and their passengers the ability to request the names of, and directions to, nearby restaurants and also listen to or view restaurant reviews. Besides its advanced speech recognition capabilities, the 2005 Acura RL comes equipped with the first real-time traffic navigation system in the United States, which integrates real-time traffic data into the navigation display. Other integrated features include: - AcuraLink, which communicates information between dealers and drivers, and
- HandsFreeLink, which uses BlueTooth technology to synchronize personal cell-phone data within the car environment; this provides drivers hands-free, speech-enabled dialing on phones with built-in BlueTooth capability.
IBM's voice-recognition technology is integrated into the car's audio system so that driving instructions can be heard over the speakers. Alongside its navigation functions, the system also provides command-and-control capabilities for audio, DVD entertainment system (Odyssey) and climate control functions. Honda and IBM, using IBM Embedded ViaVoice, have deployed leading-edge voice-enabled telematics solutions since 2003. User satisfaction with the Voice Recognition-enabled systems has been outstanding due to Honda's engineering ability and the strength of IBM Embedded ViaVoice's speech technology and automotive telematics solutions. The new Honda navigation system is the latest in a broad portfolio of in-vehicle solutions that combine IBM's pervasive computing technology and telematics know-how. Software and electronics comprise a rapidly growing percentage of innovation and differentiation in cars today. IBM's integrated, open-standards-based software and telematics solutions are increasingly allowing data to benefit customers virtually wherever they are, helping to create entirely new industry models. "Drivers can now fully access the majority of the resources inside the navigation system with voice input" said Tom Elliott, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "As in-car navigation systems evolve and become more commonplace in today's vehicles, our extensive voice-recognition features give Honda and Acura products a distinct competitive advantage." IBM's advanced software and telematics solutions featuring Embedded ViaVoice deliver IBM speech technology to mobile devices that include smart phones, handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs) and automobile components. "By 2012, telematics services will be accessible in more than half of all new vehicle models," said Gartner's Thilo Koslowski. "The industry will shift from a vehicle-centered approach to one centered on the mobile customer. This transformation will make telematics an essential element of a new generation of personalized mobile services. "IBM is proud of its history of teamwork with Honda - a history that leverages our full portfolio of technologies, products and services. The latest of these, a unique and sophisticated speech-enabled navigation system jointly developed by Honda R&D and IBM, illustrates the deep relationship IBM has with its industry partners," said Janette Beauchamp, General Manager, IBM Global Automotive Industry. "From software and hardware solutions to consulting expertise, IBM is helping world-class companies like Honda to break new ground for their customers by implementing high-quality, innovative solutions that puts them ahead of their competition." The 2005 Honda Odyssey minivan is all new for the 2005 model year and adds new style, performance and sophistication along with class-leading fuel economy, power and features, with room for eight passengers. The Acura RL, also new for 2005, features a 300-horsepower V-6 engine with an innovative Super Handling All-Wheel Drive system, among its many other refinements. The Odyssey will go on sale at Honda dealerships in September, and the RL will be available at Acura dealerships in October. About IBM:
IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM is among the first companies to offer leading-edge technology and tools to its customers and enable them to deliver advanced telematics solutions. Through years of expertise and research in the automotive industry, IBM and IBM Business Partners have built a flexible and reliable portfolio of software (such as speech recognition and wireless technologies), hardware, IT services, development platforms and innovative tools. IBM's end-to-end architecture fully integrates open standards. It links both portable and embedded hardware devices to the Internet via wireless networks and leverages native and Java applications to exchange data to and from the vehicles with wireless telematics service providers. Addressing issues such as safety, privacy, convenience and connectivity, our in-vehicle information systems and solutions enable our customers to deliver hands-free and eyes-free technology as part of developing invaluable and long-term relationships with their customers. And our approach is not only centered around technology. It's about delivering business value at an accelerated pace. IBM believes in a value net approach, working with device manufacturers, carriers, and content providers to provide outstanding enabling technology and IT services to provide a complete solution. As the telematics revolution is now gaining momentum in other industries such as insurance, petroleum and commercial markets, IBM's vision will prepare customers for the next generation of e-business infrastructure for many years to come. Please visit our Telematics Solutions site at www.ibm.com/industries/automotive for further details and references. About Honda and Acura
Honda is the world's preeminent engine-maker, building more than 17 million engines globally in 2003 for its diverse line-up of automobiles, motorcycles and power products. Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, Honda began assembling motorcycles in America in 1979 and this year celebrates 25 years of U.S. production. Honda began automobile manufacturing in the U.S. in 1982 with the Accord and was the first Japanese automaker to build products for the North American market in the United States. Zagat Survey is the world's leading provider of consumer opinion based leisure content. With more than 250,000 surveyors, Zagat Survey ratings and reviews cover restaurants, hotels, nightlife, movies, music, golf, shopping and a range of other entertainment resources. Zagat content is available in print, on the Web, on the Palm and Pocket PC operating systems, on mobile phones and on TV and radio. For more information, visit www.Zagat.com. |
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| | | IBM Unveils New PartnerWorld Industry Network for Automotive Business Application Software Providers
SOMERS, NY -- Sep 1, 2004 -- IBM today unveiled a new PartnerWorld Industry Network for independent software vendors (ISVs) focused on the automotive industry. More than 100 ISVs already have committed to join the PartnerWorld Automotive Industry Network. Among these companies are PeopleSoft, Inc.; Rockwell Automation, Inc.; DST, Inc.; Informatica Corp.; DMS Systems Corp.; C&A Systems Inc.; and MSC.Software Corp. "The automotive sector comprises one of the largest sets of interconnected markets in the world and presents a huge opportunity for ISVs to capture new revenue," said Buell Duncan, general manager, ISV & Developer Relations, IBM. "Working together with IBM, ISVs can capitalize on the wide range of benefits available through the PartnerWorld Automotive Industry Network to more effectively develop and deliver solutions to their customers' most pressing business needs." As part of IBM's $1 billion investment in ISV programs this year, the PartnerWorld Industry Networks provide ISVs with unmatched go-to-market sales support and technical resources that are specifically tailored to their industry requirements. More than 1,500 ISVs across 43 countries in the banking, financial markets, healthcare/life sciences, retail, government, insurance, and telecommunications industries worldwide are already taking advantage of the networks to team with IBM and bring joint solutions out to market faster and industry-by-industry, reflecting how customers are buying technology today. Customer Momentum
Already benefiting from joint IBM-ISV solutions are auto companies including Montana Products, Inc.; Genuine Parts Distributor; Internal Engine Parts Group, Inc.; Electro-Matic Products, Inc.; and Diesel Injection Service Group of Companies. Montana Products, a manufacturer of high-quality coatings for the automotive industry, turned to PartnerWorld Industry Networks member C&A Systems to replace their outdated technology. Montana Products is benefiting from C&A Systems's fully integrated FORMULATIONS-ERP(TM) solution, running on an IBM eServer xSeries(TM) with IBM WebSphere(TM) and IBM DB2 Universal Database(TM) on Linux(TM), providing Montana Products with an affordable, end-to-end, real-time ERP business solution. "We needed a cost-effective and reliable ERP solution to improve core customer service and internal administration functions," said Clay Jones, director of finance for Montana Products. "Based on open technologies, the C&A Systems and IBM solution provides us with a flexible and scalable platform to do just this, enabling us to streamline key internal and external processes and establish a more effective means of sharing information. Not only is this solution a significant upgrade from the ERP solution we once had, but it also serves as a model for how we will strategically adopt and use applications in the future." Many ISVs joining PartnerWorld Automotive Industry Network are building applications that are part of IBM's industry-specific middleware solutions that help customers automate and manage the business processes unique to their industry. ISVs are providing industry-specific application software to the solutions, which also comprise IBM middleware technology from its five software brands (optional software includes WebSphere(TM), DB2 Universal Database(TM), Tivoli(TM), Lotus(TM) and Rational(TM)), IBM's industry-specific middleware such as IBM middleware solutions for automotive, and technical and business services expertise from IBM and others that are tailored to specific industries. In adapting to changes in the automotive market, ISVs are seeking greater innovation and efficiency in the way they do business, and they are looking to programs such as the PartnerWorld Automotive Industry Network to help them boost performance and meet customer demand in such areas as supply chain integration, customer care, inventory management, manufacturing control, and regulatory compliance. The new automotive network provides ISVs with a wide range of technical, sales and marketing, and business tools to help them grow their businesses and drive greater shareholder value and operational excellence for their customers. Tom Haas, vice president of Supply Chain Solutions at DST, said: "Never have traditional lines of demarcation in the automotive industry been less definitive. Segment definitions like OEM and aftermarket have lost relevance as supply chains converge and technology-aided collaboration has become the paradigm for success. DST's ability to leverage IBM iSeries(TM) technology is essential in our quest to facilitate transformation in the automotive parts supply chain." ISV Program Benefits
ISVs registering in the network have access to benefits designed to help them learn about industry trends, plan their business, build on demand automotive solutions, connect with IBM Business Partners and auto industry experts, and generate customer interest in their industry solutions. The benefits include: - Technical: access to IBM technical support provided across the cycle of selling and installing solutions to customers, including IBM Virtual Innovation Center online porting and enablement resources, on demand architecture consultations with IBM eArchitects who can provide direction on porting to IBM technology, and participation in IBM's "Ready for" application validation program to enable ISVs to test their industry applications against pre-established technical criteria and ensure compatibility with IBM middleware.
- Marketing/sales: everything that ISVs need to market and sell IBM channel-ready products or solutions -- information on what they are, how they work, and what they work with -- including prices, presentations, demonstrations, white papers, box shots, graphics, and collateral such as brochures and announcements; use of IBM's "Business Partner Connections" online networking tool to identify and team with other companies to deliver comprehensive customer solutions; listing in the IBM "Global Solution Directory" containing thousands of applications, tools, and services from IBM and IBM Business Partners and accessible to IBM sales representatives and customers; and display of the IBM "Ready for" logo upon completion of product validation in qualified offerings packaging, specifications, and marketing materials to help accelerate market entry and differentiate ISVs from competitors.
- Business insight: access to IBM Business Consulting Services automotive industry white papers, surveys, and other industry points of view and participation in IBM Business Partner Executive Institute courses and webcasts such as the "IBM On Demand Business Leadership Program" and "IBM/Forbes Executive Forums," and introduction to the benefits of delivering software as a service (SaaS) and enabling applications to IBM e- business Hosting(TM) infrastructure, as well as access to resources to evaluate, embrace, and deploy SaaS.
ISVs joining the network that have enabled or optimized their industry solutions on IBM systems and middleware have access to even greater benefits, including: access to the IBM "Sales Connections" system to help close deals and opportunities to participate in an IBM automotive customer event, to co-host a joint automotive customer briefing at an IBM facility, and to publish a profile of their application in IBM automotive sales community newsletters and intranet sites. ISVs can sign up for PartnerWorld Industry Networks at www.ibm.com/isv. About IBM
IBM's ISV and Developer Relations initiatives are administered by PartnerWorld for Developers, the developer resource for IBM Business Partners. With 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate, IBM is the world's largest information technology company. IBM is a leading provider of e-business solutions and is dedicated to helping companies, Business Partners and developers leverage the potential of the Internet and network computing across a wide range of businesses and industries. The company offers a host of cross-industry and industry specific solutions designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes. For more information on partnering with IBM, please visit: http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld. |
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