Industry and infrastructure offerings focus on security, business performance; designed and priced for mid-market
Armonk, NY — October 12, 2005 — In an effort to help mid-sized businesses with security, supply chain management, backup and recovery, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and other applications, IBM said it is offering IBM Express Portfolio. In response to mid-market demand for industry-specific solutions, IBM said most of the 22 new offerings address specific client needs in the retail, health care, industrial and life sciences industries.
New industry solutions include a radio frequency identification (RFID) solution for retailers, a product lifecycle management solution (PLM) for manufacturers, a supply chain diagnostic solution for the industrial sector and medical imaging storage for health care. Among the new IBM Express Portfolio infrastructure offerings are four System p5 servers designed specifically for mid-sized business and also aimed at their price targets.
IBM said its latest offerings are part of the company's continued investment in the small and medium business (SMB) market, as well as the evolution of its SMB roadmap to encompass more high-value business and infrastructure solutions. IBM touted its 10 percent growth in the first half of 2005as proof of its continued expansion in the $360 billion SMB market.
Steve Solazzo, general manager, IBM Global Small and Medium Business, added that much of the success of IBM's expansion in the market is due to channel partners that help develop and deploy the company's solutions. These partners generate approximately half of IBM's revenue in the mid-market. Solazzo said IBM, in turn, supports them with its Small and Medium Business Advantage (SMBA) initiative, which aggregates such resources as IBM offerings, technical support, marketing and sales resources, teaming tools, education, and incentives to help IBM Business Partners improve profitability and grow market share.
