IBM Happenings: April 2007

May 20, 2007

The month of April at IBM was filled with a slew of announcements in hardware, software, services, acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Many of the announcements are occurring in the healthcare area. I was particularly impressed hearing that the Mayo Clinic and IBM are advancing real-time medical imaging. Collaborators from Mayo Clinic and IBM have exploited parallel computer architecture and memory bandwidth to dramatically speed up the processing of 3-D medical images. All of the announcements made by the company during the month are below and the complete Index of IBM Happenings (by year and month) is here.

List of Announcements for April 2007

IBM, Cisco unveil development platform

The UC2 Client Platform will be an open set of IBM Lotus Sametime APIs along with communication APIs provided by Cisco.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21192.wss

IBM, American Airlines sign services agreement

IBM announced a $217 million, 7.5-year BTO agreement with American Airlines to transform and manage many of the airline’s human resource functions.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21165.wss

IBM unveils DB2 Viper for the mainframe

IBM’s DB2 9 “Viper” data server is now available for System z customers; bringing significant advancements to the mainframe, including patented “pureXML” technology.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21189.wss

BBC, IBM form alliance

The BBC and IBM have forged a strategic alliance, following the signing of an agreement for a framework outlining several joint projects between the two companies.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21184.wss

Vivox, IBM to give voice to gamers

IBM and Vivox, the leading provider of integrated voice services, will bring integrated voice communication to the games and interactive entertainment market.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21194.wss

IBM to develop reporting system for schools

IBM will develop a data management system that will provide detailed information about student performance and progress for New York City’s public schools.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21183.wss

New software portfolio ensures SOA quality

The new IBM SOA quality management portfolio, which includes software as well as technology services, helps improve the overall quality of technology in an SOA.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21226.wss

IBM study examines China’s mass markets

IBM’s study suggests that multinational companies should focus more on China’s mass markets – smaller, emerging cities with fast growth – and less on top-tier cities.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21231.wss

IBM, Red Hat enhance Linux kernel

IBM and Red Hat collaborated to integrate improved virtualization features, security enhancements, and “Real-Time Linux” capabilities into the Linux kernel.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21232.wss

IBM adds POWER virtualization to SOA strategy

The new offerings, known as the ‘System p Configurations for SOA Entry Points,’ use virtualization technology in an SOA, to ensure more balanced, flexible use of resources.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21237.wss

IBM announces production of Cell Chip at 65nm

IBM has begun producing a new, 65 nanometer version of the Cell Broadband Engine at IBM’s state-of-the-art East Fishkill, New York microchip production facility.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21222.wss

IBM wins innovation awards at CeBIT

The iF International Forum Design awarded IBM nine Design Innovation Awards for superior products and solutions.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21236.wss

Idea Cellular, IBM sign business transformation pact

IBM and Idea Cellular Ltd. announced a 10-year business transformation pact to integrate, innovate and transform Idea’s business processes and IT infrastructure.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21269.wss

IBM announces Lotus Notes and Domino 8 public beta

Customers, partners and users can now download IBM Lotus Notes and Domino 8, a next generation email and collaboration platform that helps users streamline
daily tasks.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21250.wss

Broadcast International selects Cell Blade

Broadcast International is currently implementing the IBM BladeCenter QS20 “Cell Blade” to improve performance and reduce costs associated with video compression.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21262.wss

IBM helps developers form social networks

IBM’s new developerWorks Exchange provides a venue for developers to share resources and ideas with the large software development community.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21272.wss

University of Kentucky acquires IBM supercomputer

The University of Kentucky has acquired a new IBM supercomputer that places the university’s research capability among the nation’s leaders.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21260.wss

IBM opens “Innovation Factory”

IBM has opened its “Innovation Factory,” a Web 2.0 solution that manufactures ideas and new products and services for business growth.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21294.wss

IBM demonstrates fastest optical chipset

IBM scientists revealed a prototype optical transceiver chipset capable of reaching speeds at least eight times faster than optical components available today.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21278.wss

IBM software extracts insight from RFID data

IBM’s new WebSphere RFID Premises Server 6.0 aggregates and analyzes massive amounts of RFID and other sensor information from every corner of an enterprise.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21284.wss

Manhattan Associates, IBM extend partnership

Manhattan Associates, Inc. will sell and implement solutions built on IBM’s open technologies for businesses in the retail, consumer goods and transportation industries.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21290.wss

IBM, Covalent contribute migration tool

IBM and Covalent Technologies have contributed a tool that helps enterprise customers migrate from the JBoss Application Server to the Apache Geronimo application server.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21296.wss

DLF selects IBM for transformation

DLF Ltd, India’s largest real estate development company, has awarded IBM a 10-year contract to transform and manage DLF’s IT Infrastructure.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21297.wss

IBM introduces new systems for SMBs

IBM has launched scalable pricing model in conjunction with the new System i Express solution designed for 5 to 40 users.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21345.wss

IBM demonstrates 3-D chip-stacking technology

IBM’s breakthrough chip-stacking technology paves the way for three-dimensional chips that will extend Moore’s Law beyond its expected limits.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21350.wss

IBM expands line of energy-efficient systems

The new systems feature the low-voltage microprocessor technologies and industry-first innovation for blade server computing with energy-smart flash-based storage.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21355.wss

IBM opens Banking Centers of Excellence

The new centers address the many challenges banks face today including global competition, a fluid regulatory environment and growing consumer indifference.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21349.wss

Mayo Clinic, IBM advance real-time medical imaging

Collaborators from Mayo Clinic and IBM have exploited parallel computer architecture and memory bandwidth to dramatically speed up the processing of 3-D medical images.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21342.wss

IBM offers free service management tool

The new version of the IBM Tivoli Unified Process (ITUP) is the industry’s broadest information guide of best practices based on IT Service Management and governance.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21357.wss

IBM reports 2007 first-quarter results

IBM announced first-quarter 2007 diluted earnings of $1.21 per share from continuing operations, an increase of 12 percent as reported, compared with diluted earnings of
$1.08 per share in the first quarter of 2006.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21386.wss

IBM unveils next generation portal offering

IBM announced a single, simplified IBM WebSphere Portal offering with enhanced Web 2.0 tooling and a set of tailored business-ready packages or “accelerators”.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21388.wss

IBM announces new storage, services solutions

IBM’s new hardware and services are designed to help SMB clients better compete and pursue new opportunities by using information as a strategic asset.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21380.wss

Royal & SunAlliance signs 10-year agreement with IBM

IBM will manage Royal & SunAlliance’s IT infrastructure and also provide end-to-end service integration across all of R&SA’s third-party technology suppliers.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21387.wss

Media networks go digital with IBM

Broadcasters from America’s FOX Broadcasting to China’s CCTV have implemented IBM’s storage and tape solutions in reliable HD digital production and archive solutions.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21382.wss

SAB awards IBM IT services contract

South African Breweries Limited has awarded IBM a multi-million rand, six-year contract, to manage key IT services, enabling it to focus on growing its core business.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21363.wss

IBM extends mainframe security

The new advances include: lowering the cost of data protection, extending IBM mainframe security for Linux, and enabling customers to meet compliance requirements.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21394.wss

IBM expands sales strategy for service products

IBM Business Partners can now sell certain service products for Business Continuity and Resiliency Services, Security and Privacy, Server and Storage and Data Services.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21434.wss

IBM opens first Federal SOA Institute

The IBM Federal SOA Institute includes dedicated technology and consulting resources to support Federal organizations.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21439.wss

Swiss bank signs 5-year services agreement

Banque Cantonale Vaudoise, one of Switzerland’s top banks, and IBM have signed a $460 million services agreement for IBM to transform BCV’s IT infrastructure.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21397.wss

Cell/B.E. project supercharges the mainframe for virtual worlds

The cross-company project integrates the Cell Broadband Engine with the IBM mainframe for the purpose of creating a hybrid for virtual world applications.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21433.wss

IBM brings MRI technology to the nanoscale

Using Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy, IBM researchers have demonstrated two-dimensional imaging of objects as small as 90 nanometers.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21399.wss

IBM efforts reduce e-waste worldwide

IBM processed over 100 million pounds of used and obsolete computer gear in 2006, returning less than 1% of non-hazardous material to landfills.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21396.wss

IBM expands Express Advantage program

IBM announced a range of new and enhanced Express Advantage systems,software, and services offerings to complement its industry-leading mid-market portfolio.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21462.wss

IBM SOA Partner Program grows 200 percent

More than 145 Business Partners have been accepted to the IBM SOA Specialty, which is the highest level where Business Partners receive the most benefits.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21448.wss

IBM unveils new Blade “eco” system

The new offering will include the new IBM Workstation Blade and its associated “eco” system of connection broker software and desktop device from Devon IT.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21467.wss

IBM extends Business Continuity and Data Protection software

The new Tivoli Storage Manager for Microsoft SharePoint provides backup and restore capability for SharePoint, a Web-based workplace for online collaboration.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21472.wss

IBM introduces new social networking programs

IBM announced two new programs that help organizations and information technology professionals engage in online collaborative networks.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21464.wss

IBM announces breakthrough in chip design

Using a “self assembly” nanotechnology, IBM has created a vacuum between the miles of wire inside a Power Architecture microprocessor improving both performance and power efficiency.
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/21474.wss

Complete Index of IBM Happenings (by year and month)