IBM is planning to expand its portfolio ofsoftware services for small firmsemploying up to 500 staff.
IBM said the services were for businesses that wanted to focus
on growing, instead of running, their office systems.
Among the developments,
IBM Lotus Foundations is a range of
small business software servers, installed on-premises. The
servers are expected to be offered primarily through IBM business
partners.
Based on
Linux, IBM Lotus Foundations is expected to provide server
software that requires minimal technical expertise and is
"autonomic" - able to manage and heal itself.
In addition, IBM has launched a managed beta of a web-delivered
service codenamed "Bluehouse". Bluehouse provides extranet services
that make it easy for small and medium-sized enterprises to
collaborate securely beyond their organisational boundaries.