IBM Introduces New e-Infrastructure Solutions

IBM has announced specially-priced, pre-packaged bundles that enable companies to deploy powerful e-business infrastructure solutions quickly and easily. By combining industry-leading IBM eServer UNIX servers and disk storage systems with database, storage management, and e-business software, the bundles provide organizations with a rock-solid foundation for the complete spectrum of e-business and traditional business applications.

"Today`s announcement demonstrates IBM`s unique ability to supply the full range of e-business infrastructure products as well as assemble them into a cohesive whole," said Per Larsen, vice president, worldwide marketing, IBM Server Group. "Whether a customer is deploying a mission-critical collaboration application or a Web-enabled ERP solution, these bundles supply the technology that is so vital to a highly-available and reliable solution."

The heart of the bundles are IBM eServer p660 and p640 systems -- rack-mounted midrange dynamos built with IBM's performance-enhancing copper microprocessor technology. The servers can handle harsh environments -- like Internet data centers operated by telcos and service providers -- where machines are often subject to extreme physical stress. The servers conform with the Network Equipment Building System (NEBS) standards that telecommunications companies rely on to measure the durability of computers and other equipment.

In addition, the e-infrastructure bundles include either a high-performance and high-availability IBM 7133 SSA Serial Disk System or an IBM 2104 Expandable Storage Plus Ultra3-SCSI disk system.

The bundles are available as high performance, high capacity and high availability solutions. Expert services from IBM Business Partners and IBM Global Services are also available.

Customers can choose from a wide range of IBM software for the servers, including:

• WebSphere Application Server, Advanced Edition: A rich e-business application deployment environment with a complete set of application services for transaction management, security, clustering, performance, availability, connectivity and scalability
• DB2 Universal Database Enterprise Edition: Supports a broad range of applications and offers the performance, scalability, and availability needed for the most demanding e-commerce applications
• Tivoli Storage Manager: Offers a highly-reliable solution for data protection -- from the data center to the desktop. Helps reduce total cost of ownership by standardization and centralized management
• Lotus Domino for AIX Release 5: A world-class messaging, groupware and application server for building, deploying and managing applications that help people collaborate

In addition, the e-infrastructure offerings are eligible for special 5.3% financing being announced today by IBM Global Financing. The bundles are package-priced with savings of up to 15% on the hardware and software. Server and storage bundle prices start at $51,391 versus a normal list price of $60,460.

New 4-way IBM eServer UNIX Server

Complementing the e-infrastructure bundles, IBM today introduced two midrange IBM eServer[1] UNIX[2] systems supercharged with Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) technology to provide superior performance. The new systems -- 4-way versions of existing IBM eServer p660 and p620 systems -- exploit many database pricing models, allowing customers to realize savings of up to 60 percent on the cost of database software.

Extending the strategy of technological innovation that has driven IBM's success since the introduction of breakthrough copper technology in 1999, the new IBM eServer machines are powered with SOI-enabled microprocessors, which run up to 35 percent faster and at much cooler temperatures than traditional aluminum chips. The systems are also fortified with IBM self-management technologies, including mainframe-grade memory correction features.

With a maximum of four processors, the machines qualify for the special "workgroup" database editions offered by many database vendors. These versions are substantially less expensive than so-called "enterprise" editions. The dramatic pricing advantage of the 4-way systems make them ideal for small- and medium-sized businesses as well as departments of larger organizations.

About IBM

IBM is the world's number one server company and information technology provider, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM helps customers, business partners and developers in a wide range of industries that leverage the power of the Internet for e-business. For more information, visit www.ibm.com.

Contact Hans-Juergen Rehm, IBM Enterprise Systems Group Communications, Tel (0711) 785 -41 48, Hansrehm@de.ibm.com.