Ready-to-use IT for SMBs by IBM

IBM announced the availability of 'IBM Smart Business,' a way for small and

medium businesses to acquire, use and manage technology that is radically

simple. IBM Smart Business will be available in India from November 21, 2008.

It includes Smart Market, a web-enabled, one-stop SMB marketplace clients can

use to browse, rate and buy solutions or collaborate with other clients,

industry experts and vendors from around the world; Smart Cube, a secure,

turn-key computer designed to deliver integrated solutions directly to the

client. Smart Cubes install and connect users to Smart Market within minutes and

Smart Desk, a web-enabled dashboard that clients can use as a

single-point-of-contact for Smart Business maintenance, from updating

applications automatically or subscribing to an on-demand service.

Two years ago as part of IBM 'Innovation Jam,' the largest online brainstorm

ever held, more than 1,50,000 people from over 100 countries converged to

discuss ways in which technology could enable advancements in everyday life. One

of the biggest issues identified was the tremendous need to make IT less complex

for small and medium businesses.

IBM's answer to this issue will get its first market test in the

entrepreneurial Indian marketplace, which boasts more than 35 million small and

medium businesses. With the introduction of Smart Business, IBM aims to fuel the

growth of these businesses by delivering ready-to-use IT that is easy to

implement, operate and grow.

IBM Smart Business delivers:

• A pre-integrated solution with all the fundamental technology required to
  
  run a business with no manuals required
• Access to a web-based community and marketplace to acquire new business
  
  applications, and web-delivered collaborative services immediately ready to
  
  support a business, such as access to remote (cloud-based) application
  
  services like managed security and hosted back-up and recovery
• A single point of contact for service and support

“We will deliver the industry's most desirable IT experience for small and

medium business-delighting our clients with a wide choice of optimized

applications; powerful, industry-standard business systems with built-in

security and business resiliency; and a single point of contact for service and

support,” said Ramesh Narasimhan, Director-General Business, IBM India/South

Asia.