XML solution provider Software AG has announced an alliance with
IBM global services to create an optimised version of the Tamino
XML database, which the companies will jointly market and
support.
However, an IBM spokesperson admitted, "Development of our own XML
products has not slowed down one bit, in fact it's probably
increased recently."
The partnership will mean Tamino and other Software AG XML tools
will be ported to the majority of the IBM hardware and operating
system family with modifications to improve performance and
reliability.
The agreement, which will be finalised around the start of July,
will see IBM and Software AG create a joint practice with a
separate governing council. IBM already has practices with
companies such as Peoplesoft and SAP to provide corporate customers
with a single point of contact. Prior to the agreement, IBM was
Software AG's only global systems integrator.
The product delivered by the new partnership will be a combination
of an IBM Websphere Web application server with a Software AG
Tamino XML database and associated tools. Alf Goebel, Software AG's
vice president for global alliances, said, "IBM is our longest
running partnership lasting for over 25 years and it has been a
love-hate relationship."
Goebel confirmed that joint research and development work was
taking place but said there were no immediate plans to produce a
single integrated product. "It has not been discounted," said
Goebel, "but it will depend on user demand. If the customers want
it, then we'll have that discussion."
IBM has pledged to have Tamino installed within its network of
innovation centres around the world and has added the XML database
and other Software AG XML tools to its price list. Software AG will
provide IBM staff with training at its XML academy and bring IBM
into ongoing client engagements.
The IBM spokesman denied that its global services division would be
biased towards its own Websephere Web application server over rival
products such as BEA Weblogic. "IBM Global Services is agnostic and
even with our partnership, it won't be a case of customers having
to go all (Big) Blue, we will still offer the best solutions for
our customers," he said.
IBM and Software AG believe that the partnership will not generate
major revenue until the first quarter of 2002. Latest figures from
Giga group indicate 47% of large enterprises already have deployed
some form of XML-dependent application, while an equal number are
currently either piloting or intend to deploy within the next 12
months.
Will Garside