IBM Expands Grid Computing Ecosystem

Market Wire, September, 2006

IBM also announced today an expansion of its "Ready for Grid" application validation program, which allows application providers to test their solutions against established technical criteria to ensure compatibility with existing grid technology. IBM currently has more than 80 different ISVs worldwide who have grid enabled their applications, adding on average one new partner a week. New Ready for Grid ISVs announced today include: Bycast, Cluster Resources, EDSSP, GemStone, GigaSpaces, Grid App, GridSystems, NICE, Nimaya, Quadbase, Tangosol and Themis Computer.

About IBM's Grid Ecosystem Strategy

IBM's industry-leading Ecosystem program is designed to provide IBM Business Partners of all types the resources and assets needed not only for technical enablement, but sales enablement, education and go-to-market as well. IBM provides application ISVs education, skills, IBM experience and IT resources to quickly achieve ROI on their grid enablements through Grid Innovation Centers worldwide. Reseller and system integrator partners can also take advantage of grid offerings, specific education available through the IBM PartnerWorld University's customized, opportunity-based learning programs to gain skills and programs such as the Grid Valuenet to help build new market opportunities and go-to-market plans. IBM also has Grid Design Centers, the India-based IBM Grid Integration Center and solution initiatives to help Business Partners integrate, bundle and deliver "value-differentiated" grid-based offerings to their customers. Through partnering, IBM is enabling vendors to extend their market reach and customer opportunities as part of the IBM "Ready-For Grid" enablement and certification program, the ValueNetwork initiative and the PartnerWorld Industry Networks (PWIN) marketing benefits.

For more information on IBM, visit ibm.com. For more information on IBM's Grid products and offerings, visit ibm.com/grid. For more information on IBM's Grid Business Partner offerings visit ibm.com/grid/partner. For more information on IBM's Business Partner Innovation Centers, visit www.ibm.com/partnerworld/bpic .

IBM is a copyrighted trademark of IBM Corporation. Statements concerning IBM's future development plans and schedules are made for planning purposes only, and are subject to change or withdrawal without notice.

Contact: Sean Amore IBM Media Relations 203-417-9586 or 914-766-1245 scamore@us.ibm.com