IBM and Ariba Extend Global Technology Alliance
Companies Announce Latest Advances in Product Integration and Deployment Of End-to-End
Value Chain Management Solutions
LAS VEGAS (LIVE 2001), May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Ariba Inc., (Nasdaq: ARBA - news), the leading business-to-business
(B2B) eCommerce solutions provider, and IBM, the world's largest information technology provider -- and Diamond sponsor
of the Ariba LIVE 2001 Las Vegas event -- today announced support of Ariba products for IBM's WebSphere integration
software, including MQSeries enterprise application integration technology, WebSphere Application Server, and WebSphere
BtoB Integrator.
This represents an expansion of the global strategic technology alliance between Ariba and IBM. The two companies are
developing a set of offerings that combine the strengths of both firms' core technologies and services so customers can deploy
complete value chain management solutions for increased business efficiencies and cost savings.
Since IBM and Ariba first teamed in March 2000 to provide leading-edge B2B eCommerce solutions and services to
customers across all industries, they have made significant advances in product integration including porting Ariba solutions to
IBM hardware and software. All Ariba applications support IBM's xSeries and pSeries eServers, IBM's AIX operating
system, and IBM's DB2 Universal Database.
IBM has recently developed an Ariba® Buyer(TM) adapter using IBM MQSeries technology. The MQSeries family of
products is the leading solution for message-oriented middleware and application integration software, with a combined market
share of 65 percent (Aberdeen Group, 2000). This adapter can be delivered by IBM Global Services to enable integration of
the Ariba Buyer solution with customer's back-end enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems including finance, accounting
and human resources systems. IBM will continue to expand its current portfolio of MQSeries adapters that can be used to
integrate third-party applications with Ariba products. Furthermore, IBM Global Services has a library of adapters that can be
used with MQSeries Integrator to complete integration of Ariba products with existing systems and third-party applications.
Ariba's strategy supports the adoption of the Enterprise Java(TM) technology -- called Java2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE)*,
which enables software developers to write the ``guts'' of business applications that can run on a variety of computing systems.
In keeping with that strategy, WebSphere Application Server (WAS) will be a primary platform for Ariba's products, including
Ariba Dynamic Trade, Ariba Sourcing, and Ariba Buyer in future major releases. WebSphere is Internet infrastructure software
-- known as middleware -- that enables companies to develop, deploy and integrate next-generation e-business applications,
such as those for business-to-business e-commerce.
IBM and Ariba are working together to ensure interoperability between Ariba solutions and WebSphere BtoB Integrator
(WBI), IBM software that helps companies manage diverse information and processes within and between enterprises.
Joint IBM and Ariba customers will be able to use WBI to extend the capabilities of their Ariba products, enabling efficient
implementation of complete solutions for sourcing, purchasing and value chain management, and enabling customers to interact
with their trading partners, marketplaces and Web services. Ariba and IBM are already using WBI to integrate Ariba solutions
to back-end legacy systems in the Volkswagen marketplace.
``This expansion of our relationship with Ariba has already delivered customer successes to date,'' said Fernando A. Salgado
Vice President, Collaborative Value Nets, IBM Global Industry Solutions. ``Leveraging IBM's WebSphere offerings to deliver
scalable, reliable integration platforms across the enterprise, Ariba is poised to execute on its vision for value chain management
solutions.''
``The strategic Ariba and IBM alliance continues to be productive in providing joint customers with leading-edge software,
hardware and services to rapidly deploy value chain management (VCM) solutions,'' said Jim Steele, executive vice president
of global sales and services for Ariba. ``IBM understands and supports our VCM vision and their technology and services will
play an important role in executing on this vision moving forward.''
The Ariba strategic alliance is an example of IBM's commitment to go-to-market with leading independent software vendors
through the PartnerWorld for Developers program (www.developer.ibm.com). These alliances target industries such as
financial services, retail and manufacturing and solution segments including enterprise resource planning, supply chain
management, customer relationship management and business intelligence. The goal is to provide developers with access to
new customers and revenue opportunities through IBM's marketing, sales, and solutions resources. In return, developers
commit to lead with IBM's middleware, server platforms, and services.
About IBM
WebSphere is Internet infrastructure software -- known as middleware -- that enables companies to develop, deploy and
integrate next-generation e-business applications, such as those for business-to-business e-commerce. WebSphere supports
business applications from simple Web publishing through enterprise-scale transaction processing. WebSphere transforms the
way businesses manage customer, partner and employee relationships. More information about the WebSphere software
platform is on the Web at ibm.com .
Java and all Java-based trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United
States and other countries.
iSeries and xSeries are trademarks of IBM Corporation. All others are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
respective companies. The IBM eServer brand consists of the established IBM e-business logo with the following
descriptive term ``server'' following it.
About Ariba Inc.
Ariba, Inc. is the leading business-to-business (B2B) eCommerce solutions provider. Ariba's open, end-to-end, interoperable
software solutions and hosted Web-based commerce services enable efficient online trade, integration and collaboration
between B2B marketplaces, buyers, suppliers and commerce service providers. The global reach and best-of-breed
functionality of Ariba B2B eCommerce solutions create Internet-driven economies of scale and process efficiencies for leading
companies around the world. Ariba can be contacted in the U.S. at 650-930-6200 or at www.ariba.com.
NOTE: Ariba and the Ariba logo are registered trademarks of Ariba, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. Ariba
Buyer, Ariba Sourcing, Ariba Marketplace, Ariba Dynamic Trade and Ariba Commerce Services Network are trademarks of
Ariba Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
