Here's some of IBM's implications to commerce over the net. It is a long article. As IBM is licensed from GIFT, none of this may go to GIFT's kitty, but the whole internet commerce "pie" just keeps getting bigger. Here is today's Release:
IBM takes Internet battle to higher ground Business/TechnologyEditors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 12, 1996-- Company Moves Beyond Browser Wars to Focus on "Electronic Business"
in '97 IBM today outlined an Internet strategy that moves beyond Web browsers and server software to provide a comprehensive, global approach to conducting electronic business on the Internet.
At a briefing here, the company sketched a future dominated by customized, end-to-end Internet solutions that will be critical to doing business by the year 2000. Along with several leading customers and partners, IBM(a) showed how its newest offerings are already at work, linking businesses -- and their myriad transaction systems, customer databases, and inventory management programs -- to new markets and partners via the World Wide Web.
IBM's "e-business" strategy centers on three core application sets that the company believes will drive business adoption of the Internet: commerce, collaboration and content management. Helping todeliver such applications will be various IBM units such as Global Services, with its 105,000 services professionals, and the IBM GlobalNetwork, offering customers more than 800 worldwide points of entry to Internet computing. Targeting Growth in Services and Custom Solutions The company also announced new Internet solutions for the insurance, energy and utilities industries, and training programs forchannel partners, the latest in a long string of offerings designed to bring e-business to entire industries.
"While browser wars have gotten most of the attention recently, businesses have been quietly expanding their use of the Internet. Close to 40 million people are expected on- line by year's end," said Irving Wladawsky-Berger, general manager, IBM's Internet Division. "The question is, 'What's next?' How will businesses take advantage of the ability to reach an increasing number of people around the world via the Internet and intranets, starting with their own employees and business partners? We think it's e-business - - secure, integrated, flexible application solutions to create new value for business on the Web."
According to Wladawsky-Berger, of the $250 billion in growth expected in network computing by the year 2000, 65 percent will be inservices and customized solutions. "Clearly the marketplace recognizes that the greatest opportunity lies in resolving the complexity of network technologies. These are challenges that our service experts are overcoming every day in the field. And they are challenges that our competitors are only beginning to confront." New Commerce Solutions Announced IBM today also introduced a series of Internet solutions designed to advance Web commerce, including:
-- Energy Network Exchange -- Pacific Gas & Electric
becomes the first user of this service of IBM and Siemens that enables electric utilities to use the Internet to sell
excess electricity. The service will be among the first to
provide an electronic method for the purchase and
distribution of wholesale electric power that complies with
new federal requirements.
-- PetroConnect -- A new Web site created by IBM to allow
petroleum exploration professionals to exchange critical
geologic information.
-- Insure-Commerce -- A new lineup of tools and services
to help insurance enterprises move into the electronic
commerce marketspace and to help them expand customer
service to the Internet.
-- The formation of a Network Computer Division to
coordinate the company's efforts to build products, manage
alliances and draft industry standards for Network Computers
(NCs).
-- The Internet Specialty Program, a certification program
that offers IBM and Lotus Business Partners, Web Affiliates
and other IBM channel partners a range of marketing
initiatives, training modules and sales products.
-- Updates for World Avenue. Twelve new stores join this
personalized shopping service on the World Wide Web. In
1997, World Avenue is planned to be updated with "agent"
software that will help buyers more easily locate
merchandise they prefer, and data mining tools that will
allow retailers to offer customized catalogs.
Sneak-Peeks Into the Future of Electronic Business
-- IBM also provided previews of future Internet
technologies currently being developed in its research labs, where 25 percent of the $6 billion R&D budget is devoted to
network computing projects, including:
-- A prototype cellular "cyberphone" that uses advanced
optical systems and intuitive interfaces to provide
practical wireless access to the Internet.
-- 3D Commerce. "Net Casino/VR" is a demo that uses avatar
technology (an avatar is a computer user's embodiment in the
virtual world -- a 3D character representing the user) to
create a realistic, three-dimensional, walk-through of a Las
Vegas casino. Set to debut next week at the Comdex trade
show in Las Vegas, this advanced, Java(b)-based demonstration
showcases future technologies that will enable electronic
commerce and multi-user collaboration on the Internet, as
characters interact and trade money in cyberspace.
Lineup Offers a 'One-Stop' Shop IBM also demonstrated its current lineup of Internet technologies-- solutions that are central to enabling electronic business, including:
-- CommercePOINT(a), a family of end-to-end products and
services for electronic commerce. Eighty-four customers --
from small- and mid-sized wholesalers to giant global banks
-- are currently using CommercePOINT solutions to provide
everything from merchant servers and digital catalogs to
secure credit-card payments and "electronic wallets."
(www.internet.ibm.com/commercepoint.)
-- Transactional Web site technology -- code-named WOM
(Web Object Manager). A platform that provides scaleable
server synchronization and Web site management. Capable of
handling a high volume of transactions.
-- Domino,(b) the new interactive Web application server from Lotus(a).
-- Cryptolope(a) technology for encrypted information exchange, a
crucial component of IBM's e-business initiatives.
-- alphaWorks, a virtual on-line laboratory that allows
users free access to a wealth of IBM research Internet
software technologies still under development. Bamba, a
combined audio and video streaming technology, and
PanoramIX, which allows users to create and navigate 360-
degree views on the Internet, are two popular examples of
alphaWorks technologies that users can experience now
(alphaworks.ibm.com).
For more information on IBM's e-business initiatives see: ibm.com ; alphaworks.ibm.com ;
lets try: ibm.com alphaworks.ibm.com
(I added the http and www - it may NOT be www -should be one or the other- Mel)
and, internet.ibm.com .(a) Trademark or registered trademark of IBM.(b) Trademark of respective company.--PHOTOS AVAILABLE ON AP PHOTO NETWORK-- --30--rg/ny CONTACT: Michael Corrado
IBM Corporation
(914) 766-1162
corrado@gemini.ibm.com
Copied from the PRODIGY(R) service 11/12/96 11:19 |
