IBM To Simplify IT for SMBs

April 21, 2008: Big blue has announced that it is expanding its SMB efforts and is aiming to help small and medium sized businesses gain faster access to integrated business solutions that are easier to acquire, implement and manage.

Called the Vertical Industry Program (VIP), IBM says the new initiative addresses key IT requirements for SMBs, such as the ability to quickly implement integrated business solutions that deliver a fast return on their investment.

Originally launched as a test pilot partner ecosystem for selling AIX applications in 2006, VIP became the cornerstone channel program for the IBM System i in 2007. Due to increasing demand, the company is expanding the program to support a broader range of IBM hardware and software platforms including IBM Power Systems, BladeCenter and System Storage.

IBM says the program now has more than 750 business partners delivering solutions for more than 160 sub-industries in 40 countries. Due to this, it claims SMBs are able to gain faster access to integrated business and IT solutions that are easy to implement, competitively priced, and optimised on IBM technology.

“We've done extensive research into [the SMB] market segment, and as a result we are bringing incredible value and flexibility to IBM partners and customers,” said Mark Shearer, Vice President of Marketing and Offerings for IBM Business Systems Division.

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