Keeping up with the competition: IBM, Seeking Growth Path, To Help VARs Sell Across Brands

Hmm puts a nice perspective to the “Microsoft has so many movings parts” discussion. They seem to forget the rest of their own software business which is quite complex according to IBM themselves. Aparently the growth of IBM software is lacking behind the competition. IBM now has created a portal to help their partners show how “simple” it all is ..

 

… IBM, which has a $18 billion software business but which has been lagging in growth behind key rivals, is taking steps to make it easier for channel partners to sell products up and down its lineup.

The Armonk, N.Y.-based computer giant says it is rolling out a new portal that will provide push-button resources to help solution providers mix and match products from between their core competency and other IBM applications. The portal, which IBM is calling “Grow Your Business,” launched in a quiet pilot program earlier this year but is going into a formal offering. …

… IBM, which has a 3,000-SKU large software product catalog that could compare to a Russian novel, is offering 52 products in the Grow Your Business online tool that will provide for 60-different cross-brand solutions, the company said. …

… The new effort is part of IBM’s effort to catch up to competitors. Both Microsoft and Oracle, for example, have seen double-digit growth in their software businesses in recent quarters while IBM’s software business has been growing at about 7 percent, year-over-year. In addition, IBM’s software margins have been under pressure. …

Source: CRN.com