IBS Touts IBM i Experience for New IBM Business Partner Status

February 28, 2012 Alex Woodie

IBS, which several years ago changed course and headed down the Windows path as the company’s new strategic platform for running its ERP system, says the company’s experience with the IBM i platform is behind the company’s upgraded IBM business partner status, from Advanced to Premiere Business Partner.

It’s too early to say if IBS is re-embracing IBM i (which the company insists on calling iSeries, which ceased to exist as an official name in May 2004 when IBM changed iSeries to eServer i5). The company is still a Gold Certified Partner of Microsoft, so it’s clear the company is still committed to developing a Windows version of IBS Enterprise, an ERP system used by distributors and manufacturers.

But it’s always good to see application vendors give a little love to the iSer … er, the IBM i server. “Through IBS’ work with the iSeries,” the Swedish vendor says in a press release, “it has been recognized for demonstrating superior skills and actively collaborating with IBM to deliver significant client value through innovative solutions.” That’s marketing talk for “we still love you, man.”

By the way, Premiere is the highest level attainable in IBM’s PartnerWorld program. Premiere partners have demonstrated “superior skills and market success,” and get their own IBM executive or manager to oversee the partnership, as well as the right to use the Premiere logo. The next-highest level, Advanced, is given to partners that have demonstrated a “high level” of skills and success, as measured using the points table. Advanced-level partners get access to IBM business intelligence reports, event and campaign funding, product development roadmaps, and can have their products listed in the Business Partner Application showcase.