SOMERS, N.Y - 06 May 1998: ... IBM today began shipping software suites that make it easy for Windows NT** users to build, deploy and manage business applications. The products integrate leading software from IBM and Lotus, bringing greater reliability, scaleability and security to the Windows NT platform.
IBM also enhanced the suites with the addition of Intel*** LANDesk Management Suite*** technology for managing networked PCs. The suites now available are:
- The IBM Suite for Windows NT, designed to meet the computing demands of branch offices, autonomous departments and medium-sized businesses for high-performance, reliable systems that can accommodate fast-changing business needs.
- The IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT, for large companies that want to leverage existing information technology assets and skills by integrating their Windows NT applications into core business systems and using data from core business systems in departmental Windows NT applications.
IBM also announced plans to begin beta testing the IBM Small Business Suite for Windows NT on May 30. This suite provides a comprehensive business solution for companies with fewer than 100 employees.
From the point of purchase through system configuration and deployment, the suites have been designed to be easy. Among their features:
- Express and custom installation options
- Attractive pricing
- Components that can be installed on multiple PC servers with a single suite license
- Suite upgrade paths
- One-stop shopping for marketing and technical support
"Our partners will find doing business with IBM is much simpler," said Steve Mills, general manager, IBM Software Solutions. "These suites deliver value on all fronts: they are priced right; packaged well; fully supported; and easy to sell."
Software developers, value-added distributors and resellers, system integrators and other solution providers can use the IBM suites as a secure technology base for developing "e-business" solutions for customers in diverse industries and markets. A full complement of Web-ready capabilities are provided, including messaging, collaboration, networking, backup and recovery, and data and systems management.
IBM Licenses Intel LANDesk Management Suite
A new licensing agreement with Intel Corporation enables IBM to integrate industry-leading desktop and server management technology into the IBM Suite for Windows NT and the Enterprise Suite for Windows NT. Intel LANDesk Management Suite Version 6.1 provides integrated remote problem resolution; hardware and software inventory; server monitoring; software distribution; virus protection; and other leading desktop system management functions. It also takes advantage of the "remote wake-up" capabilities of PCs that meet the Wired for Management (WfM) specification by providing services such as scheduled off-hours maintenance. The WfM Baseline Specification, created by Intel, defines a set of common management capabilities that help lower the total cost of ownership of desktops, laptops and servers.
"This announcement is another example of how the IBM/Intel Advanced Manageability Alliance is raising the level of manageability of Intel architecture systems, from the workgroup to the enterprise," said Ed Ekstrom, general manager of Intel Systems Management Division. "LANDesk Management Suite is a perfect complement to IBM's end-to-end software suites for Windows NT, providing complete, fully manageable solutions for businesses of all sizes."
For comprehensive enterprise needs, the new IBM suites also provide smooth integration with Tivoli Systems management software.
Business Partner Momentum Grows
IBM's new family of suites for Windows NT offers business partners the tools and support needed to expand their markets and exploit "e-business" opportunities. Business partner interest has grown steadily since preview versions of the suites were unveiled in February.
ErgoTech, PERITEK, S.A., SAS Institute, Software Spectrum, Magirus Datentechnik, and Walker Interactive Systems are among the business partners who plan to develop solutions and offer services for Windows NT around IBM's new suites.
"The IBM Suite for Windows NT is a key component of Software Spectrum's strategy for meeting the business needs of medium-sized companies," said Keith Coogan, president and chief operating officer. "Our customers are excited about the potential these offerings bring to their installed base of Windows NT servers. Putting those servers into production with robust, scaleable and proven technologies from IBM will rapidly make their investments in NT pay off."
PERITEK, a Paris-based software developer, provides Europe's largest companies with leading intranet and Internet technology, expertise and development, especially around Lotus Notes****, Lotus Domino****, and IBM DB2* products. PERITEK used IBM Small Business Suite beta code as the base for a new application template, Emerald Builder**** (formerly known as WebBuilder****). This template allows users to access multimedia data stored in DB2 through their web browsers.
According to Herve Timsit, PERITEK president, "DB2 and Domino have never been easier to use together. By integrating the suite with Emerald Builder, we developed a solution that allows our customers to create very powerful web applications in one-tenth of the time it took previously. It also opened up new markets and opportunities for us."
IBM makes available a broad array of marketing, sales and technical support programs to help business partners succeed in creating, selling, installing, and customizing their solutions and services offerings for the new suites. Among them are sales training courses, multimedia marketing tools, and technical workshops. Technical support for the Windows NT operating system is also available, giving business partners a single point of contact for their Windows NT needs.
Pricing and Availability
The IBM Suite for Windows NT and IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT, which run on Windows NT 4.0, are now available in 10 languages from IBM and Lotus channel partners. The IBM Suite for Windows NT can be licensed for $2,499 per suite and $225 per desktop client. The IBM Enterprise Suite for Windows NT can be licensed for $16,249 per suite and $375 per desktop client.
Software licensing agreements have been designed to reflect how software suites are deployed. Users can install suite components across multiple servers based on a single suite license, avoiding duplicate license charges in a typical suite installation. Client licensing options allow for a mix of suite and component clients to access any suite server.
Volume discounts are available through the new IBM and Lotus Passport Advantage Program. Upgrade pricing options are available for customers and business partners who already have one or more suite components installed, and for upgrades from Microsoft BackOffice**.
Pricing, terms and conditions for the IBM Small Business Suite will be announced with the general availability later this year.
IBM will offer integrated suites for AIX*, OS/2*, HP-UX**** and Sun Solaris****, as well as further enhancements to the Windows NT suites this year. The new versions will extend integration to include such features as integrated directory services; a single sign-on; common Web-based administration; and distributed security.
For More Information
IBM, a leading supplier of hardware, software and services for Windows NT, creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics.
IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technology to Internet users through its home page, located at http://www.ibm.com. The fastest and easiest way to get information on IBM Software is go to IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com. For information on the new IBM suites and other IBM solutions for Windows NT, visit http://www.software.ibm.com/nt.
# # #
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
*** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Intel Corporation.
****Indicates trademark or registered trademark of respective companies.
Contact(s) information
Theo Chisholm
IBM Corporation
(914) 766-1180
theoc@us.ibm.com
| Topics | XML feeds |
|---|---|
| Software Information Management, Lotus, Tivoli, Rational, WebSphere, Open standards, open source |