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IBM Launches Program to Speed Transition of Australian Vendors to Application Service Providers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

IBM has announced the launch of its Service Provider Ready Program, designed to help Australian vendors and solution developers transition into application service providers (ASPs). The program provides education, assessment, enablement, hosting, and launching assistance to software vendors looking to enter the ASP space. The program's goal is to equip vendors with the tools and support to present a market-ready option for businesses seeking external hosting of applications. With a focus on speed to market, IBM aims to put as many vendors and developers through the program within the next six months.

Key Takeaways:

  • The IBM Service Provider Ready Program is a multi-platform, multi-industry offering, supporting applications on various operating systems, including NT, Intel, Windows 2000, Unix, AS400, Linux, and Citrix.
  • The program has been established in Sydney, one of nine worldwide sites, and aims to provide vendors with the necessary tools and support to offer a cost-effective customer relationship management service to small-to-medium enterprises.
  • Cincom Systems of Australia and ApplicationStation.com are pilot customers of the program in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Cincom's Encompass CRM service will be offered in New Zealand in the fourth quarter of 2000, targeting small and medium businesses, which is expected to generate double-digit growth in 2001.
  • ApplicationStation.com, an existing ASP and software developer, sees the program as a means to differentiate the company from other ASPs.
  • Unisys has launched INFRAHOST, the first of its worldwide ASP initiatives, offering infrastructure, network integration, software, and back-up solutions to software vendors.

Statistics:

  • The program aims to put as many vendors and developers through the program within the next six months.
  • Cincom expects double-digit growth in small and medium businesses in New Zealand in 2001 due to the Encompass CRM service.
  • The Service Provider Ready Centre has been established in Sydney, and nine sites are planned worldwide.
  • The program supports applications on various operating systems, including NT, Intel, Windows 2000, Unix, AS400, Linux, and Citrix.

Sources:

  • Stephanie Carullo, IBM Australia/New Zealand commercial business director
  • Paul Hargreaves, Cincom Australia-New Zealand operations managing director
  • Craig Hawkins, ApplicationStation.com chief executive
  • Unisys press release on INFRAHOST

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