Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility

IBM Expands Offerings for Small and Medium Owned Businesses
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Letter from the CEO
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New Appointments
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Published on June 5, 2006

Focused on helping small and medium businesses owned by Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, Native Americans and Women develop strategies to grow their companies, the IBM Market Development team met with Business Partners during the 2006 PartnerWorld conference in Las Vegas to announce expanded software, services and financing offerings.The “Express Seller” program reflects the expanded approach IBM is taking to provide end-to-end Express solutions. It includes point products, infrastructure solutions and business solutions as well as Financing Advantage offerings.

During the conference, IBM also unveiled the new IBM Express Managed Security Services for Web Security – a managed service developed specifically to protect small and medium businesses’ IT investments and productivity. Now available in the United States, Canada and throughout Europe, the Express Managed Security Service protects employee, customer and company information from unintentional exposure to identity theft, scams and malware. It also aids business continuity by eliminating system crashes.

“What we find innovative about IBM in providing solutions to small businesses is the commitment to research and development,” said Cesare Ramos, IT Manager for Interamerica Data Florida, an authorized IBM Business Partner. “It is not only a time commitment but also a financial commitment that IBM has made.Our partnership with IBM allows the associates at Interamerica Data Florida to offer Hispanic businesses IT solutions that normally would not be available.”

“IBM has a long history of being an innovative company when it comes to technology, but we are also innovative with our marketing approach and in setting our strategy.” said Marilyn Johnson, Vice President, IBM Market Development. “Our strategy is one of inclusion, not only in the way we hire at IBM through Workforce Diversity, but also the way we market. We continue to build a network of Business Partners who can work closely with small and medium businesses owned by Hispanics, Asians, Blacks, Native Americans and Women on a regional level, providing access to strategies and IT solutions that can help them improve service, reduce costs and grow revenue.”