IBM ENHANCES CORPORATE COMPUTER PROGRAM
By Adnews Staff
Earlier this week, International Business Machines announced a pair of new initiatives designed to give its customers more flexibility. Both the IBM SystemCare program, encompassing a combination of technology, servicing and financing options for companies and the Virtual Assembly Program, allowing for built-to-order PCs, will give its customers more computing options, IBM says. Under SystemCare, businesses receive an integrated suite of PC hardware and network management software, as well as service and support capability with flexible financing options. One of the program's highlights is the SystemCare Technology Exchange, which allows customers to upgrade their PC hardware after two years. As part of the Virtual Assembly Program, IBM will give customers more buying options by building systems to order. In addition, qualified IBM Business Partners will be allowed to assemble and test IBM personal systems, RS 6000 servers and workstations at their own sites, allowing for faster delivery time. The build-to-order program is set to start in July. Print advertising for SystemCare will begin in May with ads appearing in trade publications and national dailies. Ogilvy & Mather (Canada) Ltd. of Toronto handled the ads. Goodman Communications of Toronto is handling PR for the new projects in Canada. Separately, IBM has introduced three new computers. The PC 300GL is the first entry-level PC to offer enhanced management capabilities such as IBM's LANClient Control Manager. The computer is also the first to include the complete asset and investment management benefits of the SystemCare program. IBM has enlarged its ThinkPad 760 notebook computer series by adding the ThinkPad 760XD and 760XL, both of which feature Intel's new multimedia MMX technology. The PC 300GL is being supported by national print advertising created by Ogilvy & Mather, while the new notebooks will be rolled into existing ads.