IBM and Software AG to offer made to measure XML solution
- Posted:
- 11:07 30 May 2001
- Topics:
- Software Types
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.
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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
