IBM has invested heavily in its services business to evolve from predominately an IT outsourcing model to a high-value approach that blends consulting, software and services. By comparison, some companies that hope to compete with IBM are stuck in yesterday's business model.

• IBM invests in key, high-value areas such as consulting, Information on Demand and services assets.
• IBM's Services Research arm has taken on the expanded role of working with IBM's Services group to place some of the world's leading scientists and engineers directly with clients to help them discover new ways to transform their businesses, find new opportunities in existing marketplaces, and develop game-changing projects to help move ahead of their competition.
• IBM's Services Researchers often work on seemingly unsolvable problems in business, government and society and can provide deep insights into a wide variety of data.
• EDS sold its software development business in 2004, while IBM has acquired more than 40 software companies since 2003 and added thousands of developers around the world.
• In addition, EDS acquired AT Kearney only to sell it back to partners, while IBM has successfully integrated all its consulting acquisitions.