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Technology Stocks : Siebel Systems (SEBL) - strong buy? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Trader Dave who wrote (3791)	8/18/2000 8:16:41 AM
From: Boplicity	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6974

Aug. 11, 2000 (InternetWeek - CMP via COMTEX) -- IBM and Siebel Systems last week said they would jointly market customer relationship management software to midsize companies. But some observers wondered how well the companies will be able to tailor big CRM apps for small firms. Officials from both companies said they're concentrating on the midmarket because of its huge growth potential. Mark Ryan, vice president of marketing for IBM's global midmarket business, estimated the CRM market for midsize businesses at $10 billion this year and growing at about 23 percent annually, faster than the rate of growth in CRM investments by large companies. "You can't ignore it with that kind of growth rate," Ryan said. He said the partnership would target businesses with between 100 and 1,000 employees. Already, dozens of vendors such as Onyx Software Corp. and Pivotal Corp. are chasing midmarket clients. And the two powerhouses of IBM and Siebel-popular among large enterprise clients-might have to craft CRM packages to compete with what smaller vendors already offer. Many details on the specifics of the planned offerings, however, remain to be seen. "Saying you're going to address the midmarket and throwing out all these numbers is great, but how?" said Sheryl Kingstone, an analyst who follows CRM strategy for The Yankee Group. Kingstone said the vendors should focus on making their products more modular for midsize businesses that don't need the advanced CRM functionality that large clients might need. She also said the vendors might consider lowering prices to make their offering more affordable to budget-strapped companies. "Do they need everything that Siebel offers? You're talking about companies that usually don't spend a lot of money," she said. Siebel and IBM officials declined to say how much they might charge for a typical CRM product-and-services package for a midsize customer, but they said prices would remain consistent with their existing terms. Garnett said midmarket clients are no different from large clients when it comes to the benefits of CRM: "Companies in the midmarket paces still need to look after their customers and attract customers," he said. The partnership will involve cross-training of IBM and Siebel employees on each other's technology and selling packages that combine software and infrastructure products from both companies. Moreover, Siebel plans to release in the fourth quarter a version of its flagship CRM and e-business product, Siebel eBusiness 2000, built for the IBM AS/400 server platform. The IBM-Siebel agreement expands upon a previous relationship between the companies. The companies announced in the fall a broad alliance to develop, market and sell integrated e-business products. For some midsize companies, a Siebel package might have too much functionality, said The Yankee Group's Kingstone, who likened it to "drinking from a firehose." But she said the package is "a trusted brand" and could be a good fit for some rapidly growing companies. "The thing that Siebel offers is the one-stop shopping for basic functionality," she said. "You can grow into this solution." ---Bullish On CRM The numbers behind IBM and Siebel's plan to market CRM packages to midsize businesses: -Company officials estimate that midsize companies will spend $10 billion on CRM software this year -They estimate the growth of the segment at 23 percent annually, faster than the rate of growth in CRM investments by large companies -They define midsize businesses as between 100 and 1,000 employees-As much as 50 percent of the e-business market is made up of midsize 123jump.com Greg--->You can bet I didn't write it. LOL I'll look for the link It was off SI broad link to the RB broad. here it is.. 123jump.com here is the link to all the stories they are making up <gg> 123jump.com