IBM And Cisco Launch e-business Solutions for Small Businesses
Resellers Deliver Integrated Easy-To-Use Networked Solutions Enabling Affordable e-business
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 17, 1998-- IBM(a) and Cisco Systems, Inc.(b) today announced networked business solutions for small and growing businesses that provide high-performance local area networking capabilities and fast access to the Internet. The e-business solutions, which include the IBM Netfinity 3500 or 3000 servers and the Cisco Networked Office stack, are pre-tested for compatibility, affordable, easy to install and configure. The products are backed by world-class service and support and are available through flexible leasing programs.
The combination of IBM Netfinity servers and the Cisco Networked Office stack provide customers with a reliable networked foundation for conducting e-business, exchanging information and sharing resources. The scalable solutions allow customers to securely access information and resources on the Internet.
''Capturing the power of the Internet as a competitive advantage can be a complicated, costly process for a business of any size,'' said Lineene Krasnow, vice president of marketing, IBM Netfinity. ''The combination of Netfinity servers and the Cisco Networked Office stack provides customers with an e-business solution that is pre-tested for compatibility, affordable, reliable, and easy-to-use.''
''Access to the Internet is rapidly becoming a requirement for communication between prospects, customers and suppliers,'' said Eugene Lee, vice president of marketing in the Small/Medium Line of Business at Cisco Systems. ''With Cisco and IBM working together, customers will be able to order networked business solutions with a single phone call to their local reseller.''
Netfinity Servers
The affordable Netfinity 3000 and 3500 servers deliver easy-to-use Internet and intranet solutions that help growing businesses to communicate quickly and effectively with customers and vendors, track projects and resolve problems. Lotus Domino Intranet Starter Pack(c) is available with IBM Netfinity servers at no additional cost, enabling growing businesses to quickly and cost-effectively deploy an intranet. Installation and configuration are fast and easy with ServerGuide Installation software and IBM's 90-day Netfinity Start Up Support. IBM Netfinity servers deliver the performance, reliability and investment protection necessary to meet customers' business-critical requirements. The combination of the Netfinity server and the Cisco Networked Office stack delivers a complete networked business solution.
''The real beauty of the IBM Netfinity server is not just the technology, which is very strong from a price/performance standpoint,'' said Steve Mull, vice president of operations and CIO for Fonville Morisey Realty. ''It's the fact that IBM is working with other equipment manufacturers like Cisco to make sure different technologies work smoothly together.''
Cisco Networked Office Stack
The Cisco Networked Office stack, a suite of stackable desktop products, is designed to deliver secure Internet access, flexibility and integration to small and growing businesses. Secure Internet access is assured via the Cisco IOS firewall feature set or via the Cisco Centri firewall for Windows NT. The stack offers unprecedented flexibility in design through support for multiple WAN technologies and a variety of LAN connectivity options including 10/100 autosensing Fast Ethernet hubs and switches. It has been tested under the Netfinity ServerProven program to integrate with the IBM Netfinity 3000 and 3500 servers.
Tested Solutions for Optimized Performance
Small business solutions from IBM and Cisco are pre-tested under the Netfinity ServerProven program so that customers receive smooth installation and reliable implementation. Netfinity ServerProven is a compatibility program that enables Independent Software and Hardware Vendors to pre-test their products for compatibility with IBM Netfinity servers.
''As a result of the joint efforts between Cisco and IBM, we can now recommend with confidence world-class networked business solutions and services,'' said John Freres, president of Illinois-based reseller N2N Solutions. ''Our first joint solution customer Sayers Computer Source, an $80 million computer reseller based in Mt. Prospect, IL is already looking at new ways of conducting business.''
''Together with N2N we are building and deploying innovative intranet and extranet applications that will quickly eliminate downtime and enhance our bottom line,'' said Tim Koers, director of Enterprise Technology at Sayers Computer Source.
Flexible Financing
Growing businesses with limited capital available for technology investments can now work directly through their reseller to finance a complete networked business solution through either Cisco Systems Capital Inc. or IBM Global Financing. Flexible leases can include all hardware, software and service costs.
Availability
IBM/Cisco Internet Access Solutions for small businesses are available now in the U.S. and Canada through authorized IBM and Cisco resellers. For more information call 1-800-736-5454.
About IBM Netfinity Products
IBM Netfinity products provides customers using industry-standard technologies with a reliable foundation for their networked businesses by delivering outstanding power, scalability, control and service. The IBM Netfinity family of products helps small, medium and large companies to manage their networked business systems -- from file and print capabilities to the most advanced applications -- virtually anytime, anywhere. Software from industry-leading vendors such as Lotus, Novell, Microsoft, SCO, SAP, Oracle, JD Edwards and Baan are tested on IBM Netfinity systems so that customers are empowered to achieve their highest degree of productivity. In addition, through the worldwide IBM TechConnect program, customers and resellers can train and certify their specialists in various facets of IBM Netfinity technology.
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