The Corepoint Technologies division of IBM yesterday announced the first verticalization of its customer relationship management (CRM) suite of software programs, launching Corepoint Banking Solutions worldwide. The division was formed in November last year to bring a more focused approach to IBMÆs efforts in the CRM market, which is variously estimated to be worth between $3bn and $6bn per annum. As such it has so far been able to re-brand existing IBM products. Its first generic product, the Corepoint Product Suite, lifted IBMÆs offerings in call centers, help desks, sales force automation and a variety of other disciplines. Similarly, yesterdayÆs launch is a re-branding of IBMÆs Visual Banker Enterprise Solutions. It initially features three elements for bank call centers, branch sales and branch tellers, and, according to Peter Llewellyn, marketing manager for Corepoint in Europe, will add an internet banking package later this year. After banking, CorepointÆs next target markets for tailored product lines will be insurance and, in 2000, telecoms. In less strategic markets, Llewellyn acknowledged, the company will be content to adapt its more generic offering. Corepoint also has agreements with various value-added resellers and partners, while the more packaged versions of parts of the generic suite, which target the small and medium-sized business market, go through distributors.
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