VAR500: IBM Targets Oracle Partners, ACS Buys Financial Services Firm

VAR500 Solution Providers Make Waves

IBM is looking to increase its reseller base and is going after Oracle VARs with lucrative programs. IBM's reselling arm, IBM Global Services, may soon find the ranks of its competition growing, as a result.

In other VAR500 news, ACS bought financial services provider firm Symcor; CDW provides high-tech gear for a Southern police department's fleet; Accenture upgrades its Oracle platform, and RCM brings on an SVP.

IBM Eyes Oracle Partners

While Oracle works to lure HP VARs, IBM has launched a new program to entice Oracle customers to transition to IBM workload optimized systems. According to IBM, Oracle clients that make the switch can save up to 50 percent on applicable IT costs over three to five years. In addition, IBM's "Stop, Think, and Save" program offers a free savings assessment to companies using Oracle database and application server software running on Sun, HP Itanium, or previous generation POWER servers. Special financing is also available to those switching to IBM DB2 and WebSphere software on the latest IBM Systems and Storage.

ACS Expands Financial Services

ACS, A Xerox Co., plans to purchase Symcor’s U.S. operations, thereby increasing its capabilities in providing outsourcing services for the financial services industry. Symcor's offerings range from cash management services to statement and check processing. In a release, Kent Schnacker, executive vice president of ACS’ financial services group, said that although electronic payments options are rising, consumers and businesses still rely on paper checks for commerce. In 2009, about 24.5 billion checks were processed valued at $31.6 trillion. As financial institutions focus on developing new products and services for their clients, traditional paper payments can be consolidated by a central service provider.

CDW Partners With Accelera

CDW Government and Accelera Solutions partnered to equip Virginia's Newport News Police Department with fully ruggedized mobile technology. More than 60 police vehicles were fitted with Panasonic Toughbook CF-30 and CF-31 notebooks running Citrix XenApp by the solution provider. XenApp delivers software applications from the department's data center over a cellular network to officers' notebooks, which are equipped with an embedded modem. The implementation enables officers to immediately access critical data in the field. The city's 439 police officers work in three shifts, protecting over 180,700 residents across 69 square miles.

Accenture Upgrades Oracle Platform

At Oracle OpenWorld this week, Accenture debuted version three of its Accenture Foundation Platform for Oracle (AFPO), which offers clients the capability to access Oracle Applications on mobile devices. AFPO also offers secure access, so clients can mobilize their workforce with confidence. Users can deliver either packaged or custom Oracle Applications to tablets or smart phones through HTML5 technology across today’s key mobile platforms – Apple’s iOS, Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Android. Oracle enterprise grid management and Oracle web services manager are also integrated into the platform.

New SVP At RCM

RCM Technologies appointed Tim Brandt as its group senior vice president of the IT Division. Brandt has nearly 20 years’ experience in the IT industry, focused on building and managing sales and delivery teams. Providing both IT consulting and solutions services, his teams have been characterized by exceptional service, collaboration and growth. Prior to joining RCM, he developed and led the IT-focused business at Kforce and Pinkerton Consultants.