Beneath all the hooplah, IBM is at least half serious about helping users of all its product lines move into the world of the Web. Whatever the merits of IBM’s various commerce server offerings, there is no mistaking Big Blue’s message. Business will increasingly be conducted by end users who see a consistent graphical interface: the Web browser. But beyond that uniform starting point, according to IBM, anything goes, including a mainframe. Well, maybe. Software developers with code written f or Unix or NT can now adapt many (but not all) of their applications programs to OS/390, nee MVS. Once adapted to the mainframe, the Unix or NT programs can take direct advantage of MVS assets – programs, data and systems capabilities. The foundation is in place. But where are the new applications? IBM says they are on the way. Unfortunately, some of the most prominent software packages – Netscape’s server offerings, for instance – cannot be moved to OS/390. IBM has its own Web server programs for various software environments, including OS/390, but there are a number of issues that IBM must resolve before these packages will gain acceptance in the customer base. IBM may, in the end, have to abandon its own efforts in favour of collabora tion with one or more specialist software companies. The case for IBM’s working with creators of the popular Web server software, particularly Netscape, is strong. IBM is unlikely to set the pace or establish the standards that define Web software t echnology, even if it makes valuable contributions now and then. There are tens of thousands of Web servers today and the population will double and redouble in the coming years, creating a big market for somebody’s software. Relative handful Most of the servers run a Unix variant or Windows NT. In the S/390 world, IBM may get some prestige accounts, but in the end it will be working on software for a relative handful of customers… and competing with alternatives that are cheap or, in the case of Microsoft’s NT offering, free. Even IBM’s flagship Web software product, Net.Commerce, is initially aimed at the AIX Unix and Windows NT bases. The S/390 version will lag by six months or more… and, we expect, so will upgrades and enhancements to Net.Commerce. Savvy customers are going to go with the most open option, whether it comes from IBM or another source. In the Web world, openness means rapid access to the features that enhance the functionality of a Web server, such as secure order processing, high quality presentation of corporate information and leading edge page development tools. And compatibility with browsers. IBM obviously has the potential to become a technology leader in Web server software. But this says nothing about its business opportunity. IBM might better serve its customers and itself by concentrating on the systems and environments that support other vendors’ Web server products.
Hesh Wiener, from Infoperspectives, June 1996, Copyright (C) 1996 Technology News of America
