The alliance includes three components: eBay has selected WebSphere, IBM’s e-infrastructure software, as the technology foundation for its next-generation trading platform; IBM will significantly expand its presence on eBay, making the global trading site a key sales channel for reaching targeted buyers; and the two companies have agreed to explore joint-marketing opportunities across online and offline media.
As premier e-businesses such as eBay increase transactions and link operations with other enterprises, integrating disparate computing systems and business applications becomes critical, said Samuel J. Palmisano, president and chief operating officer of IBM. An open, robust computing infrastructure, built around a common set of ‘web services,’ will enable this next phase of e-business. As the centerpiece of IBM’s web services strategy, WebSphere manages billions of transactions per day and delivers the open platform required by dynamic e-businesses such as eBay. At the same time, eBay is a powerful vehicle for IBM to reach new buyers.
eBay and IBM will help each other achieve even greater success, said Meg Whitman, President and CEO of eBay. IBM’s leadership in infrastructure technologies, combined with its global marketing muscle, will play a central role in furthering our growth. At the same time, our marketplace will provide a vibrant channel for IBM to reach new customers.
SOURCE: COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
