IBM Jamaica's software briefing for executives and IT managers next Tuesday, October 8 signals Big Blue's assertiveness as an IT software solutions provider, for businesses and software developers in Jamaica and the Caribbean, say company officials.

The briefing runs from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Hilton Hotel, and will demonstrate technologies from IBM's four software pillars: DB2, WebSphere, Lotus and Tivoli. These mission critical solutions are designed to meet the data management, e-business, messaging and collaboration, and systems management needs of most local businesses, the company says.

"These are enterprise software which we believe will bring cost savings and time to market efficiencies," says IBM's advisory sales specialist, Pat Tomlinson.

The way it works, says Tomlinson, is that IBM uses elements of each software pillar to support the others. All its software lines are closely integrated, so, for example, DB2 typically complements Tivoli and WebSphere products as their default data management system.

"This eases implementation for clients because the solutions come bundled out of the box2," Tomlinson explains.

The local market will also get certified technical assistance for the full suite of end-to-end software solutions in the DB2 data management line and the WebSphere e-business infrastructure portfolio, which have made inroads in this market, according to Tomlinson.

Its Lotus and Tivoli brands are also included.

Gordon Foote, IBM Jamaica's sales manager, says these software solutions will also be marketed through business partner channels under IBM's PartnerWorld for Software1 programme. The global programme certifies business partners to sell the technology as well as offer onsite training and technical assistance.

IBM Jamaica's technical staff and IBM worldwide specialists will also give such assistance to companies here that acquire software under any of the pillars.

After Jamaica, the IBM road show travels to four other islands in the region as part of the company's Caribbean software rollout.

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