The bMighty Blog -- Hardware & Software

IBM is launching a web-based application initiative for smaller businesses. The company is finally starting to realize there's real money to be made off small to midsize businesses. The question is what took them so long?

IBM's release describes the program as follows: "IBM today announced new software and unveiled for the first time a broad initiative to combine hardware, software and services to tackle the cost and complexity of IT for small and medium businesses. The new, strategic initiative -- code-named the "Blue Business Platform" -- aims to provide a new and compelling choice to simplify IT delivery for companies that lack the time and resources to manage computer systems."

The release, by the way, emphasizes the "$500 billion SMB marketplace." We hit the big time guys.

CRN quotes Mark Shearer, vice president of business systems in IBM's Systems and Technology Group, who explains that "Cost, ease of use, and ease of integration are big parts of why IBM is introducing the Blue Business Platform." He adds: "It's a new platform designed to simplify and innovate cloud computing in customers' businesses."

The platform includes IBM Lotus Foundation, for basic set up of communications and collaboration technologies in smaller businesses; an on-line marketplace for small and midsize business solutions providers and customers around the world; and a series of open APIs to ease the integration of applications and Web services.

What does this mean for smaller businesses? Products and services that are already integrated and ready to go is always good news for smaller businesses looking for easier IT solutions. It's still unclear how this will all play out but it's nice that the IBMs of the world are acknowledging that.

CRN quotes Chris Pyle, president of Champion Solutions Group., a Boca Raton, Fla.-based IBM solution provider whose main focus is on the small and midsize business market. He says: "I like the idea of bundling solutions together. Customers don't care about the components. They care about the value of the solution. And it makes it easier for me to sell because it can be a complete solution."

Pyle emphasizes that it is significant that it is IBM that is behind this initiative. "You're starting to see people bundle more products together. But there's only one IBM. They'll have a leg up over the competition if they make it work right."

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