Features

IBM Launches Low-Cost Systems for SMBs

By Sophia Mayengbam

IBM has announced a new server package targeting the small and mid-size businesses (SMB). With the new release, IBM, which has struggled in sales recently because of higher prices compared to HP and Dell, plans to target SMBs and low-cost system market.

It has unveiled IBM System i 520 Solution Edition configured for SMB customers adopting Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne applications. Designed specifically for customers with 100 users or less, the solution is based on IBM's "all-in-one" System i business computing platform and delivers a comparable acquisition cost to analogous Windows-based solutions. IBM said it is similarly priced to a comparable configuration on Windows-based systems like Dell PowerEdge.

The System i platform delivers a combination of integration and open standards with built-in security, virus-resistance, database and storage as well as the easy systems management. IBM promises that with the new systems small to mid-size business can run programs to manage their accounting, supply chain, email, and disaster recovery -- all on one system that automatically backs-up and helps manage the data.

"SMB customers typically operate in lean environments with little or no IT personnel and limited resources," said Mark Shearer, general manager of IBM System i. "Today's announcement removes price from the equation, giving SMBs a simpler ERP solution that requires minimal technical expertise."

The key functions of the system are asset lifecycle, customer relationship, financial, human capital, project, supplier and supply chain management. IBM said that the new Solution Edition will also give SMB customers a simpler, low-priced option to comply with radio frequency identification (RFID) mandates.

Additionally, recent performance testing of JD Edwards EnterpriseOne on the IBM System i portfolio with POWER 5+ processors demonstrated strong price/performance for companies with up to 1,200 users, making clear that SMB customers of varying sizes can continue to expect powerful performance from their JD Edwards, IBM System i solutions as business needs grow.

IBM currently has about 5,000 customers worldwide running JD Edwards on System i servers. The platform is powered by IBM's Power architecture and runs Linux, Windows and AIX.

The IBM System i 520 Solution Edition for Oracle's JD Edwards EnterpriseOne applications will be available from IBM and IBM Business Partners on August 11, with hardware configurations starting at USD 21,921.


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