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IBM invests $300 million to build 13 delivery centers

IBM today announced it is investing US$300 million to construct 13 Business Resilience service delivery centers in 10 countries in 2008, increasing its ability to address surging demand from businesses and governments from around the world seeking to keep their operations safe from disruption. The massive infrastructure expansion is the largest of its kind and will permit IBM clients to access services that support business continuity for the first time from a cloud computing environment Read more

IBM and partners build smallest SRAM memory cell

IBM and its joint development partners — AMD, Freescale, STMicroelectronics, Toshiba and the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) — today announced the first working static random access memory (SRAM) for the 22 nanometer (nm) technology node, the world’s first reported working cell built at its 300mm research facility in Albany, NY.

SRAM chips are precursors to more complex devices such as microprocessors. The SRAM cell utilizes a conventional six-transistor design and has an area of 0.1um2, breaking the previous SRAM scaling barriers Read more

IBM warns Linux Desktop Developers not to copy Windows

IBM bosses have sent a warning to Linux Desktop Developers; they have told the open source community to make Linux like a desktop OS for consumers and businesses. What they mean by this is “Not to Copy Windows.”

Bob Sutor, Vice President of open source and standards at IBM was at LinuxWorld Conference in San Francisco. He told the attendees there that the open source community has to make Linux as popular as Operating Systems used on desktops for both consumer and business users.

In the conference Sutor said “Stop copying 2001 Windows. That’s not where the usability action is.”

Yesterday we reported that IBM was joining forces with three major Linux distributors Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell and Red Hat, to come up with a Microsoft Free PC by 2009.

All four companies have agreed to provide hardware partners with the software needed to build these desktops. IBM carry a lot of weight when it comes to the Linux community, this is because they put a huge amount of investment into the program.
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IBM says Windows free computing by 2009

IBM have said that they want Windows free computing, this is something that they are working on with three major Linux distributors, Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell and Red Hat.

They aim to achieve a Vole-free personal computing world by 2009 however; this is a tall order. All four of these companies are in collaboration with each other and are working on the development of a PC which will come pre-loaded with Linux, IBM’s Open Collaboration Client Solution (OCCS), Lotus Notes, Symphony and Sametime.

Consumers as well as independent software vendors will then be encouraged to develop applications that will run on this new PC. This will be done via Lotus Expeditor; this is a software framework which is based on the open source Eclipse programming model.

IBM Lotus Software vice president, Kevin Cavanaugh has said “The slow adoption of Vista among businesses, coupled with the proven success of a new type of Microsoft-free PC in every region, provides an extraordinary window of opportunity for Linux.”

It seems that more and more PC customers are asking for a computer that does not have any Microsoft software in it. It looks as though IBM has listened to them; let us hope that this collaboration works and all four companies can come up with something that consumers have been waiting for.

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IBM Research Develops Software Technology to Aid Human Memory

To help people remember key facts, today, IBM (NYSE: IBM) unveiled a software technology created in its Research Labs that uses the images, sounds, and text recorded on everyday mobile devices to help people recall names, faces, conversations and other important information.

The technology, nicknamed “Pensieve” by the IBM team, uses associative recall to make connections between pieces of related data acquired by a person. The advantage of the new technology is its ability to understand the context in which data is captured, then connect various data, and then use this knowledge to help bring the correct information to a person when it is needed. Read more

Proposed acquisition by IBM of ILOG

IBM and ILOG today announced they have signed an agreement regarding a proposed acquisition by IBM of ILOG to be implemented by way of concurrent cash public tender offers in both France and the United States. Through this proposed transaction, IBM will combine its business process management (BPM), business optimization, and service oriented architecture (SOA) technologies with ILOG’s Business Rules Management Systems software. This will enable IBM to help clients deliver critical business information in real-time, allowing them to make better business decisions faster Read more

IBM helps doctors care for premature babies with technology

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) announced today a first-of-a-kind research project to help doctors detect subtle changes in the condition of critically ill premature babies.

The project will see a group of internationally recognized researchers, led by Dr. Carolyn McGregor, a UOIT associate professor and Canada Research Chair in Health Informatics, use advanced stream computing software developed by IBM Research to work toward greatly enhancing the decision-making capabilities of doctors Read more

Virtual Worlds Connect: Second Life, Linden Lab and IBM

Its one thing having Virtual Worlds where you can do almost anything but having these worlds connect just takes on all new meaning to what’s possible.

The creators of IBM, Linden Lab and Second Life have made it possible to teleport avatars from an Opensim virtual world server and Second Life’s Preview Grid; this will have a massive impact on the future of virtual worlds.

Imagine being able to visit one virtual world and then seamlessly move to another virtual world of your choice, what would that mean for you and also businesses?

We are waiting to hear when the interoperability protocol will be available but this will move virtual worlds into another stage of evolution, one that will improve both user experience and business potential.

Developers will have a field day with this new technology and what they can create with it thanks to plans for Linden Lab to make Second Life extensions open source and IBM giving extensions to the Opensim community.

What will the ability to move between Virtual Worlds mean to you?

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IBM today announced first-of-a-kind self-checkout technology

IBM today announced first-of-a-kind self-checkout technology that allows consumers to shop for and check out purchases practically anywhere in a store. This new self checkout solution raises the bar for consumer self service options, giving retailers built-in flexibility, improved customer service and a new tool for building customer advocacy for their brands.
IBM also announced a new release of software to help speed the self checkout process, a new state-of-the-art entry-level kiosk, and an extension of its global self service alliance program to reach new markets and industries.

Designed for small businesses and large enterprise departments, the IBM AnyPlace Checkout system is the next major step in self checkout innovation. It combines the ultra-compact footprint of the market-leading IBM AnyPlace Kiosk with the robust capabilities of IBM self checkout software, giving clients the best of both worlds.

According to a recent customer purchasing survey*, 10 percent of shoppers who left a store without making a purchase cited the wait to check out as a factor in their decision not to buy. More importantly, when forced to wait in line for more than four minutes, customer satisfaction levels fall below 80 percent.

Small to midsized retailers can now offer a fast, convenient checkout system for small orders, including those in specialty, drug and convenience store environments. Large retail operations can complement front-end self checkout with stand-alone placement of these units within grocery areas such as deli, floral or prepared foods, as well as departments of large stores and hospitality retailers.

“Today’s market environment is tough and competitive, and there is huge pressure on retailers to transform and innovate, all driven by a need to change the shopping experience for consumers,” said Steve Ladwig, General Manager, Retail Store Solutions, IBM System & Technology Group. “The IBM AnyPlace Checkout allows us to help our clients serve their customers in totally new ways, answering consumer demand for easy-to-use self service in more places than ever before.”

According to an IHL Group 2007 market study on self checkout**, 98 percent of respondents have used self checkout, almost 50 percent have used it more than five times in the previous years, and 72 percent have readily accepted the technology in the marketplace. This study also reported that for 2008, consumers will spend more than US $230.7 billion on self checkout transactions at retail stores, up 28 percent over 2007.

“Self checkout not only continues to gain widespread acceptance with consumers, but we are also seeing that self-service solutions are paying off for retailers,” said Greg Buzek, President, IHL Consulting Group. “Our research shows that retailers that have embraced self-service technologies are redeploying labor to key profit areas, improving customer service with more lanes and improving profitability by increasing the number of profitable transactions.”

The IBM AnyPlace Checkout system expands the proven and successful IBM Self-Checkout family by extending the capability of when and where retailers can offer self-service transactions. This first-of-its-kind unit is the second major offering in an aggressive IBM consumer services campaign, and joins a growing portfolio of IBM and Business Partner self service offerings that span multiple industries, including retail, hospitality, travel and transportation.

IBM also announced today a new release of IBM Checkout Environment for Consumer-Service (CHEC), self checkout software that delivers a robust environment through a rich user experience, simple manageability and reliable Point-of-Sale integration. The modular software platform also allows for IBM Business Partners to tailor to a retailer’s specific needs.

A completely new self checkout design, the IBM AnyPlace Checkout system offers retailers new features and enhanced flexibility, making it easy for consumers to scan and pay for their items quickly. This new self-checkout unit offers a variety of hardware and software enhancements that include:

• Small Footprint: Designed with the IBM AnyPlace Kiosk at its core, this unit offers one of the smallest self-checkout footprints available, making it attractive for grocers and other businesses that have limited floor space.

• Customized Enclosures: Offers flexibility to utilize a variety of enclosures including customized designs by IBM Global Technology Services or third party vendors that match a retailer’s “look and feel.”

• Cashless: These units offer credit/debit payment options only, which speeds transactions by eliminating the time it takes to accept and dispense bills and coins, as well as lowers the chance of shoppers forgetting their change.

• Manageability: A component of IBM Store Integration Framework, the Remote Management Agent (RMA) enables retailers to achieve end-to-end store systems management of retail devices and applications along side traditional IT deployment. Across the enterprise, retailers can configure and monitor the system remotely, distribute software, track assets and determine and diagnose problems.

New Entry-Level IBM AnyPlace Kiosk
IBM also introduced an entry-level AnyPlace Kiosk that can be used for a variety of kiosk applications or as a compact point-of-sale. This newest AnyPlace Kiosk 15” model allows small independent businesses to use advanced kiosk technology previously only available to large enterprises at a price they can afford. Additionally, the kiosk can be used by larger businesses for a variety of kiosk applications including product locators, price checkers and more. This entry-level kiosk unit comes with an energy-efficient processor and built-in power management capabilities that allow clients to reduce power consumption and run essential applications quickly and reliably. It is geared toward specialty, food service, gas and convenience retail businesses and is also tailored for use across multiple industries such as travel and transportation, hospitality and healthcare.

IBM Business Partner Alliance Program Momentum
IBM also announced that approximately 100 Business Partners have joined its Self Service Alliance Program. Since its introduction last September in conjunction with the IBM Consumer Services Initiative, Business Partners representing 11 industries, 18 solution areas and 17 countries have signed up to help develop, market and distribute IBM self-service solutions worldwide, helping extend IBM leadership in self service across multiple industries. In just eight months, the IBM Self-Service Alliance program has grown into one of the largest business partner ecosystem focused on self-service for multiple industries, including pharmacy, banking, government and manufacturing. The program represents nine new countries, including Israel, Malaysia, Romania and Guatemala.

Pricing and Availability
The IBM AnyPlace Checkout will be available May 23 and is approximately half the price of a traditional self checkout system.

Retalix and IBM: Technology Solutions For Convenience and Petroleum Retailers

Retalix announced today a worldwide partnership with IBM to deliver combined software, hardware and services solutions to petroleum and convenience store retailers of all sizes. The partnership was announced at NACStech, the National Association of Conveninece Stores’ technology show, held in Dallas.

Retalix and IBM will jointly market and implement technology solutions based on Retalix software applications, which are designed to support the specific business needs of petroleum and convenience retailers from the fuel pump and the point-of-sale (POS) to the headquarters. The combination of IBM hardware and Retalix software is already a solution of choice for several leading petroleum and convenience retailers.

“Whether retailers are operating hundreds of sites or just a few stations, they can benefit from the combination of IBM point-of-sale hardware and services with Retalix’s industry-tailored software solutions,” said Steve Ladwig, General Manager, IBM Retail Store Solutions. “Retailers using both IBM and Retalix solutions can enhance customer service levels, lower overall operating costs, and reward loyal customers by delivering targeted promotions either in the store or at the pump.”

Retalix offers a broad line of software applications designed for petroleum and convenience store retailers, including Retalix StorePoint POS and store backoffice; Retalix Fuel, Retalix Commercial Fuel, Retalix HQ-Convenience for central price management; Retalix DemandAnalytX for optimization of store ordering and Retalix Loyalty and Promotions.

“Retalix and IBM share a rich track record of addressing the needs of petroleum and conveneince retailers, which made it natural to expand our cooperation into a joint worldwide go-to-market strategy,” said Barry Shaked, president and CEO of Retalix. “The expansion of our existing technology partnership and reseller agreements underscores the increased value Retalix and IBM bring to customers by delivering tailored software solutions on IBM hardware with support from IBM Global Services and other partners around the world.”

Recently, IBM announced that it will work with StoreNext Retail Technologies LLC, a subsidiary of Retalix, to market pre-packaged retail solutions powered by IBM point-of-sale systems for independent retailers and regional chains in both the grocery and convenience retail segments. Retalix and StoreNext software applications on powerful IBM POS units will give retailers greater flexibility and choice to meet their IT requirements.

For information on IBM Retail, please visit ibm.com/retail

Advertising Campaign Wars: Dell takes swipe at IBM in web video

Dell is taking a similar tack to Apple’s “Mac vs. PC videos” by launching a new web video campaign called “IT Through the Decades“. You can see the most recent video from Dell below, which shows Dell taking a swipe at IBM’s most recent television advertising campaign Read more

Sony PS3 will get first look at IBM 45nm Cell: Oh it is coming soon

IBM are kind of lagging behind all the big named companies like Microsoft and Intel when it comes to the 45nm Cell, as we all know Microsoft have already said that they have the 45nm for Xbox was in Read more