IBS Fights ‘iSeries Perception,’ Steps Closer to Microsoft

May 18, 2010 Alex Woodie

ERP software developer International Business Systems, which is battling the perception that it develops software that only runs on the IBM “iSeries” server, announced recently that it has been awarded a gold certified partnership by Microsoft.

For the last two years, IBS has been working to transition its development organization from targeting the i/OS-RPG-DB2 stack that runs on IBM’s Power Systems hardware to targeting the Windows-Java-SQL Server stack that runs on cheap and powerful X64 hardware from any number of vendors.

While the Swedish company is not abandoning its vast installed base of ERP applications across thousands of manufacturers and distributors in North America and Europe, it’s made no secret of its intentions to unhitch its cart from the Power Systems horse. But apparently, changing the market’s perception is not as easy as switching programming languages and business plans.

“There is a perception that IBS develops software applications solely for use on IBM iSeries, which is simply not the case,” Andy Bailey, chief marketing officer for IBS, stated in a press release issued May 7.

“This announcement dispels that myth and demonstrates IBS versatility in delivering world-class solutions on a variety of platforms including those from Microsoft,” he says. “The gold certified partner accreditation is a reflection of our proficiency in using different software platforms to best solve our clients’ business problems.”

IBS Enterprise for Window has been generally available since July 2009. In the meantime, many IBS customers, including at least one Central American Caterpillar dealer, are deploying IBS software on new Power Systems hardware.