IBM Outlines Small and Medium-sized Business Software Initiatives at Executive Management & Computer Conference
N/A
Atlanta (October 27, 1998) – Addressing the technology needs of small and growing businesses, IBM today hosted a panel at the Executive Management and Computer Conference (e.m.c.c.) IBM executives discussed solutions which help small and medium-sized businesses operate more efficiently, and outlined the company’s initiatives in that growing market, including the creation of the IBM Small Business Suite for Windows NT**. Other panel participants included an IBM small business customer, 1-800-Batteries, and an Atlanta-based IBM business partner, Synchrologic.
The panel discussion was hosted by Steve Solazzo, vice president, sales and marketing to small/growing businesses, IBM Software Group. The panel included Dick Sullivan, vice president, NT Solutions Marketing, IBM Software Group; Denise Cloutier, director of OEM and corporate sales, 1-800-Batteries; and David Free, vice president of sales for Synchrologic. Utilizing an IBM business partner, 1-800-Batteries implemented an IBM Net.Commerce* solution to build an electronic commerce Web site which has produced continued on-line sales growth for the company. Synchrologic creates data synchronization tools used in the development of applications for remote and mobile workers. These tools can significantly reduce customers’ mobile communications costs.
“The Internet levels the playing field for small businesses. For the first time in history, small and growing companies are uniquely positioned for success against their larger competitors,” said Solazzo. “IBM, along with our business partners, is ready to help these companies take advantage of the new opportunities e-business provides in order to compete more effectively with big businesses.”
The IBM Small Business Suite for Windows NT
At the conference, IBM provided an overview of the IBM Small Business Suite for Windows NT, which will be available later this year. This suite integrates leading software from IBM and Lotus and provides a comprehensive business solution for companies with up to 100 concurrent users. The suite gives small businesses the reliability, scaleability, and security they need to become e-businesses. In addition, IBM has made the suites easy to buy, sell, use and install.
IBM is also including with the suite the Integrated Installation Pack (IIP), designed to help value-added resellers (VARs) and solution developers perform standard and custom installations of the IBM Small Business Suite quickly and easily. In addition to installing the components of the suite, IIP will install almost any application the VAR or solution developer desires.
Source: IBM