Subject: NEWS TODAY: IBM Business Partners Seize Exploding Linux Market Opportunity
To: kgill@brodeur.com
From: kgill@brodeur.com
Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2001 11:28:40 -0500


Good morning -
Today IBM announced a series of new Linux initiatives within the IBM
PartnerWorld program in response to the growing demand for Linux-based
solutions.  The new Linux-specific initiatives include education,
certification, co-marketing, incentives and technical support.  The
announcements include:

   A new Linux Lens quicklink on the IBM PartnerWorld Web site
   http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/linux
   A new Ready, Set, Linux! initiative to recruit, enable and support
   Business Partners and
   IBM will be expanding "You Pass, We Pay" certification reimbursement, to
   provide reimbursement for Linux certifications.  All IBM Business
   Partners that have eligible IBM certifications can be reimbursed for
   tuition and test expenses up to $3000 once they pass Linux Professional
   Institute (LPI) Test 101 or achieve Red Hat Linux certification.
   Business Partners eligible for PartnerRewards may claim up to $3000 for
   business development funds accrued for approved education and
   certification activities that lead to LPI or Red Hat Linux
   certification.


Release:

   International Business Machines Corporation
   New Orchard Road
   Armonk, NY 10504

   Contact:    Tim O'Malley
          (914) 642-3223
          tomalley@us.ibm.com

        IBM BUSINESS PARTNERS SEIZE EXPLODING LINUX MARKET OPPORTUNITY

   IBM PartnerWorld Provides New Linux Initiatives to Help Partners Expand
            into New Markets, Attain New Skills and Grow Business


      ATLANTA, G.A., February 26, 2001 . . .  IBM today announced a series
   of new Linux* initiatives within the IBM PartnerWorld** program in
   response to the growing demand for Linux-based solutions.

   The new Linux-specific initiatives include education, certification,
   co-marketing, incentives and technical support.  With a new Linux Lens
   quicklink on the IBM PartnerWorld Web site
   http://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/linux, Business Partners will now find
   a single location linking to all IBM resources for Linux.

   "IBM offers a powerful combination of Linux-based hardware and software
   backed by technical, sales and marketing support that gives my company a
   competitive range of offerings," said Bob Covington, CTO, MerchantWired,
   a leading business and technology solutions provider for the retail
   industry . "With enhanced support from IBM, we can continue to rapidly
   grow our expertise on Linux while utilizing our existing skill set to
   increase the market opportunity at very little cost.  The bottom line is
   we can grow our business more rapidly with IBM."

   According to IDC, Linux shipments grew faster than any other server
   operating system over the past two years.  Business Partners are
   embracing IBM's broad portfolio of Linux-based hardware, software and
   business partner services, including access to more than 1700 ISV
   applications in the Global Solutions Directory.  Receiving more than 1.6
   million hits per month, the Global Solutions Directory is a repository
   where Business Partners and customers view ISV solutions for various
   industry segments, including finance, retail, insurance and education.

   "Linux provides game changing opportunities for IBM Business Partners,"
   said Patricia Meacham, vice president, marketing, IBM PartnerWorld.
   "From middleware to the mainframe, IBM has the most complete
   Linux-enabled e-business portfolio, including services and support to
   help Business Partners build on their existing expertise to meet the
   growing demand for Linux-based solutions."

   As part of IBM's commitment to Linux,  IBM is launching a new Ready,
   Set, Linux! initiative to recruit, enable and support Business Partners.
   The three-phased approach includes Ready: education on market
   opportunity and how to get started with IBM; Set: a two-day, hands-on
   technical training on Linux and IBM e-business solutions; and Linux: an
   ongoing enablement and support initiative featuring educational roadmaps
   leading to certification and access to key PartnerWorld benefits for
   partners delivering e-business solutions for Linux.

   In addition to providing core PartnerWorld support, such as Business
   Partner Connections and the Global Solutions Directory, IBM will be
   expanding "You Pass, We Pay" certification reimbursement, to provide
   reimbursement for Linux certifications.  All IBM Business Partners that
   have eligible IBM certifications can be reimbursed for tuition and test
   expenses up to $3000 once they pass Linux Professional Institute (LPI)
   Test 101 or achieve Red Hat Linux certification.   Business Partners
   eligible for PartnerRewards may claim up to $3000 for business
   development funds accrued for approved education and certification
   activities that lead to LPI or Red Hat Linux certification.

   About IBM
   IBM (http://www.ibm.com/) is the world's largest information technology
   company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate. IBM
   creates, develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced
   information technologies, including computer systems, software,
   networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM
   PartnerWorld is a marketing and enablement program designed to create
   new revenue and marketing opportunities for IBM Business Partners, and
   provide customers with e-business solutions including products,
   services, technologies and marketing.

   # # #

   *Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.
   **Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business
   Machines Corporation.
   All other trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.