Addressing the needs of organizations of all sizes to lower costs and help their workers operate more efficiently, IBM announced that IBM Client for Smart Work is available in the U.S. IBM Client for Smart Work, in partnership with Canonical and Red Hat, and through a variety of Business Partners, offers a complete and security-rich Microsoft desktop-alternative that can lower the total cost of ownership by up to 50%.
The new IBM package can be embedded in business processes. It is compatible with SOA-based IT environments and gives people a complete, open, and secure alternative to closed and costly Microsoft desktop software. Independent market estimates range up to $2,000 for the cost of migrating to the Windows 7 operating system for many PC users.
The launch for the U.S. market includes several options. Customers could use Lotus Symphony and LotusLive iNotes/Engage on the Ubuntu Linux operating system for Netbooks; another option is Lotus Notes/iNotes and Lotus Symphony and LotusLive components such as Connections/Engage on the Ubuntu Linux operating system for laptops/desktops; and a third option is Lotus Notes/iNotes and Lotus Symphony and LotusLive components such as Connections/Engage on Red Hat Enterprise Linux desktop operating system for laptops/desktops. Additional choices include virtual linux desktops from Virtual Bridges, Lotus Connections, Lotus Sametime, IBM WebSphere Dynamic Process Edition, IBM BPM BlueWorks and Business Partner solutions and services.
IBM and Canonical expect to enlist hundreds of partners to offer the IBM Client for Smart Work in the U.S. in 2010. The current partner ecosystem includes regional systems integrators, ZSL and CSS Corp; virtual desktop provider, Virtual Bridges, and its distributors, Midas Networks and KalariSys; and several online, vertical industry businesses such as RealtyBargains. IBM is also targeting the education market by collaborating with university faculty through the IBM Academic Initiative.
The product introduction closely follows the launch by IBM and Canonical of a new personal computing software package for netbooks and other thin client devices in Africa. Also part of IBM's Smart Work Initiative, it is designed for use on a company's existing fleet of PCs or even low-cost netbooks, making IBM's software affordable to new audiences.
"Canonical is proud to partner with IBM to help open up the American corporate desktop through Ubuntu," said Mark Shuttleworth, founder of Ubuntu and CEO of Canonical. "IBM's smart client package running on Ubuntu will allow U.S. organizations the financial freedom to redistribute the costs of expensive software licenses into IT projects that will innovate and drive critical growth."
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