IBM is making it easier than ever for customers and software developers of all sizes to safely harness the power of the Internet and other networks to meet their business challenges.

Today at the Internet World trade show, IBM expanded its range of e-business solutions, including new services to help users confidently and cost effectively do business over networks. New IBM network computers (NCs) will provide customers with versatile, simple-to-manage desktop systems that easily connect to the network.

IBM and a number of leading software companies also unveiled the first software to result from the "San Francisco project", an industry initiative to produce business server applications. The Java-based software building blocks from San Francisco give developers -- especially those focused on meeting the needs of small and growing businesses -- an innovative way to help lower development costs and improve time to market.

In addition, Lotus Development Corp., an IBM subsidiary, announced the availability of a new software developer kit for the Domino Instant! Host platform. This enables business partners to develop new Domino-based applications for the emerging rentable applications market. Domino is Lotus' flagship applications and messaging server, which offers an integrated set of services that enables customers to easily create secure, interactive business solutions for the Internet, extranets and corporate intranets.

"The Internet and network computing give customers, business partners and developers a tremendous ability to reach anyone, anywhere," said Dr. Irving Wladawsky-Berger, general manager, IBM Internet Division. "With these new products and services, IBM is providing the tools and support these users need -- whether they are a small business, a software application house, or an international company trying to manage the costs and complexity associated with thousands of distributed desktop systems.

"Our focus is on delivering comprehensive e-business solutions -- solutions that enable organizations to build on what they have, to take advantage of the reach of the network by combining their existing data and applications with the Web. This positions IBM as the best company to help customers and partners take full advantage of the power of the Web in the shortest time possible, while providing a clear path for future growth."

Announcement Highlights

-- Intrusion Detection Service: IBM Global Services is adding a new offering to its extensive portfolio of services that address and help eliminate security concerns related to Internet/intranet activity. The real-time intrusion detection service enables IBM security experts to detect a violation or misuse of a customer network as it happens, similar to the way in which a residential security company would detect a home burglary. This new service will use Wheelgroup Corporation's NetRanger sensors to detect network attacks. (see http://www.ers.ibm.com)

-- New Web Hosting Solutions: IBM has expanded its lineup of packaged and customized outsourcing solutions that help companies leverage the business opportunities of the Web while avoiding the complexities and costs of setting up and maintaining the technical infrastructure needed to design and host Web sites, extranets and e-commerce systems. Among the new offerings is a home page creator service, designed to appeal to small and medium businesses, associations or corporate departments looking for a simple, cost-effective way to get started doing business on the Web. (see http://www.ibm.com/websolutions)

-- IBM Network Station Family: IBM unveiled two new models in its NC family, the IBM Network Station Series 300, ideal for Internet access and available now for an estimated retail price of $799, and the IBM Network Station Series 1000, a Java-optimized system planned to ship later this year. These systems join the existing IBM Network Station Series 100, which has been shipping in volume since March, to give customers a choice of cost-effective desktop computing. (see http://www.ibm.com/nc)

-- San Francisco Project: The first Java software building blocks from this IBM-led industry initiative include components for building general ledger server applications and software that hides the complexity of writing applications that work across multiple computing systems. IBM estimates about 40 percent of an application can be built using the pre-written, pre-tested and reusable "chunks" of software provided by San Francisco. Java is the most widely adopted computing technology in history and is being used in many IBM solutions that help users leverage the Internet and intranets. (see http://www.ibm.com/java)

About IBM

IBM, the world's largest software provider, creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM offers complete information about the company, its products, services and technology through the World Wide Web at http://www.ibm.com.

Source: IBM