BizOp Blogs

It’s called the IBM Small Business Suite. Such a simple name for a product that has earthquake potential in the Small Business Software market. According to E Linux Apps.com, this software package offers the following things:

The IBM Small Business Suite is an integrated set of market-leading software from IBM and Lotus that will pave the way for successful e-business using Windows NT applications.

Easy to install and ready to run, IBM Small Business Suite provides businesses with E-mail and collaboration capabilities (Lotus Domino), relational database capabilities (DB2 Universal Database), a streamlined installation solution (Integrated Installation Pack), Modem/Fax solution (Modem Pooling and Fax Server) and possibility of adding word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, demo and online publishing tools (Lotus SmartSuite Millennium). Plus five application templates that let you: create and use Lotus Notes mail databases, plus calendar and delegation features; administer your Domino servers through your browser; set up a virtual meeting place for informal discussions by any team; create an electronic filing cabinet to store and view documents; combine the capabilities of Lotus Notes and DB2 Universal Database to maintain crucial information about customers, partners, etc., and access the information securely through your web browser.

In a single box, IBM Small Business Suite for Linux provides all you need to run an e-business today and tomorrow. This unique suite equips you with world class, fully-tested applications including messaging, collaboration, Web serving, and managing e-business data.

IBM Small Business Suite for Linux includes the three most requested servers: database, e-mail and web serving – which are packaged with three leading web design tools and an easy-to-use installer. This attractively priced suite makes it easy for small companies to invest in building their e-business.

Vnunet.com reports that experts at the recent Loutsphere 2008 say IBM’s Small Business package could actually challenge Microsoft’s Windows Small Business Server in the Small Business Market. Vnunet goes on to say,

“IBM Foundations will be a line of small business software servers based on Linux, installed on-premise, and built on IBM’s Express Advantage program to ensure ease of use and installation. Referred to as a “one-stop-shop-solution” for SMBs, Foundations is likely to include the Lotus Domino mail and collaboration platform, file management, directory services, firewall, back-up and recovery, and office productivity tools.

IBM also announced Bluehouse, a beta web-delivered service that provides extranet services to SMBs to allow them to collaborate securely. Bluehouse will allow small businesses to share contacts, files, project activities and interact with chat and web meetings.”

Of course, the devil, as they say, is in the details for IBM. It doesn’t matter what kind of product you have, if it is not marketed intelligently, it will fail. Microsoft is not only at the top of the heap where computer software is concerned, they also have an excellent marketing program. So, if IBM has a hope of taking a bite out of Microsoft’s Small Business pie, they must go forward carefully and intelligently in the areas of marketing and distribution. They need to come out boldly and with confidence like they belong at the head of the Small Business software market. They must emphasize how easy their product is to use, and how affordable it is.

Robert Anderson, senior Gartner analyst in small and midsize business software, says IBM has an opportunity to disruptive, offering “a price to value and solution offering ease of use and management edge”, especially with IBM’s recent acquisition of Net Integration Technologies. The new acquisition, expected to close in the first quarter of 2008, will bring with it 2600 channel partners, according to Rhodin. “They have a chance to finally disrupt Microsoft’s dominance with its small business server, and at least take a chunk out of the emerging sphere countries, such as China, Brazil and India, whose users have real needs for straight forward solutions that do not require lots of management and are yet to be influenced by Microsoft,” Anderson added, pointing to IBM’s announcement that they will be leveraging China Telecom, a trusted advisor to many Chinese businesses, to deliver Foundations.”

We’ll have to wait and see if IBM has what it takes to make something out of their new package. With industry giants like IBM and Microsoft competing, there is certainly nothing but good news on the horizon for small business owners who are in the market for new computer software. Stay Tuned!

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

3 Responses to “IBM Poses Challenge To Microsoft For Small Business Market”