IBM Launches Expanded iSeries Partner Program to Seed Innovation in Mid-Market

1 January 1970

Today, IBM announced that it will significantly increase its investments to engage nearly 10 times as many partners developing software applications and tools for its premier mid-market server, the eServer iSeries platform.

IBM will now provide up to $50,000 in incremental services to more than 2,500 software partners and application tool developers to create and deliver innovative business solutions on the iSeries platform for midmarket clients. The services in the new IBM eServer iSeries Initiative for Innovation program include access at no charge to IBM's experts in Rochester, Minn.; putting more iSeries people and investment into five Innovation Centers around the globe to help with the development of on demand business capabilities; opening the iSeries Developer's Roadmap to hundreds of more partners and tools providers; extending co-marketing agreements to more partners; making the virtual loaner program more accessible; education at no charge, and more.

"By expanding our support from hundreds to thousands of iSeries partners, IBM expects to open up a floodgate of innovation from third-party software vendors and developers who are eager to create on demand applications for the rapidly growing small and medium business market," said Mark Shearer, general manager, IBM eServer iSeries. "We wanted to smash the barriers that stand in our partners' way -- no matter what development path they choose -- and accelerate their ability to deliver critical innovation such as RFID, web services, portals and personalization to iSeries customers around the globe."

An example of innovation in action is Vormittag Associates Inc (VAI), a software provider for the retail, manufacturing and distribution industries. VAI worked with iSeries development and marketing teams to develop a suite of portlets to give its customers a choice of a full GUI front-end.

"Having resources from IBM to help develop our business plan, shape our software development and conduct co-marketing, helped us develop new products that are getting a lot of attention and attracting a new set of customers to the iSeries platform," said Bob Vormittag, president, VAI. "In fact, custom cosmetics manufacturer, Autumn Harp, moved off of its Intel-based systems onto a new iSeries server running VAI's System 2000 software to streamline its manufacturing processes and create an on demand operation."

The IBM Charter for iSeries Innovation

IBM today unveiled a charter to outline its enduring and future commitments to fuel innovation in iSeries solutions, partner applications and on demand capabilities for clients around the world. IBM will leverage its large investment in the iSeries platform over the last two years to secure iSeries leadership as the most complete business solution to simplify IT environments and enhance the value of customers' and iSeries business partners' existing investments. For more details on the Charter please visit: http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/charter/index.html

"The iSeries platform has delivered tremendous benefits to its SMB customers for decades," said Marc Lautenbach, general manager, IBM Global Small and Medium Business. "These initiatives and programs, as well as the IBM Charter for iSeries Innovation, solidifies IBM's commitment to innovation and growth for iSeries customers. IBM eServer iSeries Initiative for Innovation and the Charter are intended to keep us focused on investing in innovation for the iSeries for years to come while offering unprecedented solutions to our partners and customers alike."

With today's partner news, expanded resources will be made available to thousands more iSeries ISVs through the following programs:

-- Application Innovation Program -- IBM will provide enablement support
at no charge for its ISVs to help strengthen their iSeries on-demand
capabilities. This support includes a no-charge virtual loaner program,
Solution Factory assistance, education and more. IBM will also add new
iSeries capabilities to its IBM Innovation Centers in the U.K, and U.S., as
well as adding new centers in China, Japan, Italy, France and Australia to
help ISVs enhance their solutions.
-- Tools Innovation Program -- IBM is promoting a broader portfolio of
tools solutions so more ISVs and customers can enhance their current
applications. These tools solutions will be included in the iSeries
Developers Roadmap giving ISVs and customers additional flexibility with
their application choices whether it is Java, RPG, COBOL or .NET
integration on i5/OS, Linux, AIX and Windows.
-- iSeries Innovation Program -- IBM will increase access to its
technical talent in Rochester to work collaboratively with ISVs and other
partners to develop new, more tightly integrated solutions for industries
such as banking, wholesale, retail, manufacturing and others.
-- New Co-marketing Opportunities -- Partners will be eligible to receive
up to a 70-percent discount for co-advertising in over 220 industry
magazines around the world to help business partners reach out to
customers, as well as other demand generation offers such as incentives,
campaign collateral, printing, mailing, telemarketing and webcasts. IBM is
also ramping up its own advertising on prime time TV, radio and major daily
newspapers including the Wall Street Journal.
-- Expanded Access to PartnerWorld Industry Networks -- iSeries Business
Partners will have access to additional industry-oriented benefits offered
through IBM's PartnerWorld Industry Network program. PartnerWorld Industry
Networks offers ISVs technical, marketing and sales benefits, such as
reduced rates for co-advertising efforts, focused initiatives in targeted
industries and KnowledgeStorm discounts strengthening web presence.

"IBM's investment in resources for tool providers will yield even better results for LANSA as we continue to evolve our software to tap web services and enable service-oriented architectures for iSeries customers," said John Siniscal, president, LANSA, a leading application development and integration suite provider and IBM Premier Business Partner. "The iSeries Initiative for Innovation should further assist our clients as they work to gain a competitive edge within their industry."
For more information on the IBM eServer iSeries Initiative for Innovation, please visit: http://www-1.ibm.com/servers/eserver/iseries/innovation/

About the IBM eServer iSeries

The IBM iSeries system is a tightly integrated system including hardware, middleware, storage and security. iSeries systems can run i5/OS, Windows (via an IXA or IXS), Linux and AIX operating environments simultaneously so clients can reinvest those savings to grow their business. Business partners and solutions providers of all sizes drive iSeries success by building, selling and deploying over 6,400 of the world's most popular business applications for their clients on the iSeries platform.

About IBM

IBM is the world's largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key IBM Business Partners, IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage of the new era of on demand business. For more information about IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com.

Information on IBM eServer is available at http://www.ibm.com/eserver. IBM news releases and fact sheets are available at http://www.ibm.com. The following are either trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both: IBM, the IBM e-business logo, eServer, iSeries, POWER5.

All others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Statements concerning IBM's future development plans and schedules are made for planning purposes only, and are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

Contact:
Colleen Haikes
IBM Media Relations
(415) 545-4003
chaikes@us.ibm.com