Wednesday June 9 8:28 AM ET
IBM To Buy Whistle, Maker Of Web Servers
NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - news) Wednesday said it agreed to acquire Whistle Communications Inc., a maker of a new class of computers that supply Internet services targeted at small businesses.
In a statement, IBM said the Foster City, Calif.-based Whistle will be used to ''dramatically accelerate'' IBM's focus on e-business for small companies. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Whistle builds computers known as ''thin client'' servers that allow small businesses and workgroups to cost-effectively set up a complete set of Internet services for their employees, including Web access and e-mail services, all through a single Internet connection.
Whistle was recently named as the market share leader by researcher Dataquest in this emerging area.
Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM said it will offer a complete e-business system for small companies with less than 100 employees, combining Whistle's computer with a range of IBM software, services and financing options.
''The small business segment is growing more quickly than any other segment of the information technology industry,'' Peter Rowley, general manager of IBM's Global Small Business unit, said in a statement. Small and medium business technology spending is growing 15 percent a year, while Internet adoption is expected to double by 2001, the company said.
IBM said its new system created around Whistle will be available to small businesses around the world. A small mortgage broker, for example, would be able to advertise mortgage rates on the
dailynews.yahoo.com |
