IBM redoubles SOA partner efforts
Published:28-June-2005
By BR staff writer
IBM Corp will later today announce an initiative aimed at helping business partners, ISVs and systems integrators implement service-oriented architectures (SOA) for customers, ComputerWire has learned.
Though details were sketchy as we went to press, it is believed the initiative will enable partners to access IBM resources, assets and go-to-market support. An insider said the new program is aimed at serving the needs of IBM partners of all levels implementing SOA, and includes the compilation of free education, workshops, software and services complimented by SOA enablement engagements focused on SOA deployments with specific customers.
Big Blue will launch new free SOA resources available through IBM's PartnerWorld Industry Networks (PWIN), which is said already to have thousands of companies developing solutions for IBM software.
These resources include business planning, technical enablement, co-marketing and selling resources aligned by industry and geography and are available for IBM partners who adopt and endorse IBM's SOA strategy, and qualify through IBM's PWIN program.
New resources are said to include an IBM SOA Partner Workshops and Architect Hotline, an e-learning interactive three day session for ISVs and systems integrators to develop the skills to successfully implement a SOA leveraging their applications, and IBM software including WebSphere, Rational, Tivoli, DB2 and Lotus.
A raft of companies have already lined up to take advantage of the new IBM SOA resources, including Above All Software, Actional, Adobe Systems, Akamai, Amberpoint, ATG, Blue Titan, Bowstreet, Business Objects, Capgemini, CSI, Chordiant, CIBER, Cognizant, CommerceQuest, Cisco, Cognos, Datapower, Diagonal Consulting, DWL, Epiphany, ESPRiT AG, Entrust, gedas, glue Ltd, Hitachi Consulting, i2, iGate Mastech, Infravio, Intalio, Intentia, KANA, Lawson, Mincom, Miracle Software, Open Logic Solutions, Open Text, Pegasystems, Primitive Logic, Prolifics, Reactivity, RIM, Sage Consulting, Salesforce.com, Siebel, SSA Global, Strategic Thought, Systinet, Triangle, Webify, and WP Experts.
Meanwhile, Siebel will later today announce that it is offering the Siebel 7.8 Web UI DDK, said to be an SOA product that uses IBM WebSphere Application Server and IBM WebSphere Portal to allow organizations to provide access to Siebel functionality through portals and custom web applications. Using this capability, companies can quickly provide Siebel functionality to additional users internal or external to the organization while reducing web application development time and cost, Siebel will claim.
