News

IBM announces enhancements to WebSphere line

April 7, 2005

SOMERS, N.Y. - IBM has announced in a news release significant enhancements to its product information management software that will help manufacturers and retailers speed new products to market, improve business relationships and enhance consumer shopping experiences.

IBM is delivering pre-packaged integration between a trio of IBM software products including IBM's product information management software, IBM WebSphere Product Center, IBM WebSphere Commerce and IBM WebSphere Portal. IBM WebSphere Product Center V5.2 is the first in the industry to combine product information management software with out-of-the-box connections to commerce and portal solutions, according to the release.

Global organizations across multiple industries such as retail, automotive, industrial manufacturing, electronics, consumer goods manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, entertainment and financial services are using product information management software. Some of IBM's global customers who are currently using IBM WebSphere Product Center include AlphaPurchase, Corporate Express, Conforama, El Corte Ingles, Unilever and West Marine.

According to a recent Yankee Group analysis, product information management is yielding a 25 percent improvement in top- and bottom-line benefits for enterprises. In addition, 63 percent of survey respondents who implemented product information management found increased sales resulting from improved relationships with retailers.