Believing developers are critical to its success against archrivals such as Microsoft, Sun Microsystems, and Oracle in the e-business world, IBM will roll out a raft of new technical and service support programs this week at its Software Solutions show in Las Vegas this week hoping to win over hearts and minds.
One new program called Member Value Offerings gives qualified developers access to a range of marketing and technical resources. Packaged options under the program include technical support for AS/400 Web servers, RS/6000 and NUMA Q servers, and S/390 mainframes, the Solution Partnership Center option which features priority enablement services, porting, and consultations.
Armonk, N.Y.-based IBM will also unveil a developer domain on the Web for Websphere, which will offer free software and technical information, a Websphere/Domino Package and Websphere Host Integration Services.
"We think these expanded developer programs indicate our increasing commitment to providing developers with the tools and resources they need in a rapidly expanding e-business marketplace," said Bob Timpson, general manager of IBM Developer Relations.
Timpson will give a keynote that highlights the theme of this year's show, "No Limits: Building the Open e-Business Universe," where he will outline to the 4,500 attending developers how IBM hopes to leverage them and accomplish this.
IBM officials will announce their intention to spend $US600 million on developer programs this year. Many of these services programs will cover what IBM feels are the four primary needs of its developers, namely porting/enablement, education/communication, technical support, and help in going to market.
IBM will also announce a licensing program for emerging technologies through its AlphaWorks Web site. Under the program, users, for as little as $US1,000, can license new technologies to create new products for a business or just enhance existing ones.
Ed Scannell is an InfoWorld editor at large.