IBM to highlight new partner driven strategy at GITEX 2004

Through its partners, IBM will demonstrate the industry's broadest range of vertical-specific business technologies that guarantee freedom through open standards, open source and Web services, and how these on-demand solutions are helping IBM channel partners expand their reach in the market by meeting the changing needs of their customers.

"In a networked world, on demand delivery will become essential for business survival. Businesses will have to do more than simply integrate everything inside their enterprise. They have to connect their enterprise with other enterprises, other business processes, other applications, and myriad pervasive computing devices," said Samer Shaar, general manager, IBM Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan. "Through our partners, IBM will show visitors to its stand a new way of looking at information systems, where technology is deployed as and when needed, rapidly and scaleably. We will also demonstrate how we are driving new market growth by broadening access to technology and providing new channel opportunities, where local companies are building solutions for local companies."

The IBM stand will be divided into four zones, including Partner Expertise, Technology Expertise, Business Transformation and Innovation. Together with its partners, IBM will showcase the latest business solutions and e-business technologies, the industry's broadest range of PC, server and storage hardware, as well as integration technologies such as software and middleware for Windows, UNIX, Linux, IBM's mid-range and mainframe server platforms.

"Every year, IBM makes a special effort to bring out a unique piece of technology straight from the labs to show its Middle East customers some of the innovations that will become available over time. We are very excited about this year's showcase as it has got a particular Middle East flavour designed and produced in research and development areas within the region," continued Shaar.

Some of the new hardware products that will be showcased at the show include IBM's latest TotalStorage offerings that are centred around infrastructure simplification, business continuity and information lifecycle management, as well as the new eServer i5 and p5 server systems which are powered by unique virtualisation capabilities and the world's most powerful 64-bit chip, the IBM POWER 5 microprocessor. Visitors will also be able to catch first-hand demonstrations on IBM's patented and award-winning ThinkVantage technologies in wireless, security and PC management that are available in nearly all IBM notebooks and desktops.

IBM's software offerings at GITEX 2004 will span the full range of any e-business requirement at both the enterprise and SMB level. As a core element, its software solutions at this year's show will be showcasing its open-standards, Web-services centric approach to flexible, adaptable information systems that run on any platform, including Linux. One of the highlights will be the recently announced IBM Workplace client model which manages key business applications across any device, including laptops, desktops, PDAs or mobile phones on any platform (Windows, Linux or Macintosh).

Stand visitors will also have the chance to speak to e-business consultants from IBM Global Services (IGS) where experts will be available for discussion on implementation issues in designing and managing end-to-end solutions. A special focus for this area will be business consulting and technology services for vertical sectors, as well as outsourcing and on-demand computing services.

IBM has also ensured that it will have something for resellers, ISVs, system integrators and consultants visiting the show with highlights on its pioneering global 'PartnerWorld' marketing and enablement programme which was launched in the Middle East in March.

The IBM stand at GITEX 2004 is located in Hall 3, Stand C3-1.