IBM Aims Apps Marketplace at SMBs

IBM wants to make it easier for SMBs to get up and running with the software, hardware and services they need to run their businesses.On Thursday at its IBM Business Partner Leadership Conference in Los Angeles, the vendor detailed the Blue Business Platform -- a series of initiatives "designed to simplify and innovate cloud computing in customers' businesses," said an IBM VP. It will include IBM Lotus Foundation, a compact appliance server designed to set up basic communications and collaboration technologies in a small business within 30 minutes; and an online marketplace the vendors likens to Amazon in which SMBs can search for and purchase applications.

The Blue Business Platform will also benefit independent software vendors and IBM's local channel partners, who will provide, install and manage those applications. "This new, open platform, which will be piloted and delivered in the coming months, will offer software and solution providers access to new customers on a global scale and reduce the high costs of new client acquisition, technology integration and support," IBM said in a statement.ChannelWeb, PC World