IBM Japan Launches Linux-Based E-Mail System with Anti-Spam Features

Strategic Insights -

IBM Japan has announced the launch of a Linux-based system for internet service providers (ISPs) and cellular phone service providers to manage and distribute large amounts of e-mail while eliminating spam. The system, which marks the first large-scale e-mail system running on Linux in Japan, combines PC servers by IBM with software by Openwave Systems Inc. of the US. The total cost for system configuration and maintenance over three years is approximately half that of systems using commercial operating systems.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new system is the first large-scale e-mail system to run on Linux in Japan, and it combines IBM's PC servers with Openwave Systems' software.
  • The total cost for system configuration and maintenance over three years is approximately half that of systems using commercial operating systems.
  • The system can manage e-mail for 1 million people at a price of approximately 400 million yen (US$3.6 million).
  • IBM Japan will also release a system to prevent spam, which features functions such as automatically deleting e-mail sent in large volumes by certain parties over a short period of time.
  • A system that uses 10 CPUs (central processing units) will sell for 25 million yen and above.
  • The new system is expected to be used by about 10 ISPs and cell phone service providers over the next three years.
  • The intensifying competition and increase of spam are forcing ISPs to invest more in managing systems for e-mail services, leading to difficulty in securing profits from conventional systems.

Statistics:

  • The total cost for system configuration and maintenance over three years is approximately half that of systems using commercial operating systems.
  • The price of a system that can manage e-mail for 1 million people is approximately 400 million yen (US$3.6 million).
  • A system that uses 10 CPUs (central processing units) will sell for 25 million yen and above.

Sources:

  • IBM Japan Ltd.
  • Nikkei (06-09 1554)