Blue Business Platform was the code name during development of IBM Smart Business, a program from IBM and IBM Business Partners that radically simplifies information technology (IT) for small and midsize businesses. There are three main components of IBM Smart Business, and they all work together. IBM Smart Market is the Web site for IBM Smart Business, and allows growing businesses to find compatible software, hardware and services — including total solutions built around the IBM Smart Cube — all in one location. The IBM Smart Cube is standardized hardware that has comes with basic business software already built in. The IBM Smart Cube features the IBM Smart Desk, an easy-to-use control panel for users. For more detailed information, click the "About IBM Smart Business" tab.
Yes. The IBM representative, who is familiar with the needs of small and mid-sized businesses, can quickly direct you to the products that are most appropriate for your business. If you have questions about a product or service, contact us via telephone, e-mail or chat online with us. (See “Speak with an IBM rep” on the right side of this page.)
You will also be able to access information through the discussion areas (blogs, forums and “Product Q&A”) that are posted within the individual product listing pages. There you can pose questions to IT experts and your peers and read product ratings and reviews.
You can find product information in the listings within the marketplace. There, you can get information and downloadable documents about the application. If you have questions, you can also participate in forums and blogs or post a question to product experts through “Product Q&A,” all accessible on the product page. For more general questions and advice, contact an IBM representative via telephone, e-mail or live chat. (See contact information noted on the right.)
If you would like to purchase a listed product or service, contact us via telephone, e-mail or live chat. (See “Speak with an IBM rep” on the right side of this page.) The representative will connect you to the appropriate IBM Business Partner, who can take your order.
The IBM Smart Market site currently features products geared to small and mid-sized businesses from IBM and a core group of IBM Business Partners. In the future, the list of participating IBM Business Partners—and their products—will be expanded.
If you need advice, see “Speak with an IBM rep” on the right side of this page to consult an IBM representative, who can discuss the products that are featured on the site and recommend solutions.
IBM Global Financing offers a full range of financing options for your IBM Smart Business purchases, including leases and loans at competitive, below-market rates, with terms up to 60 months. You can finance both IBM and non-IBM hardware, software and services, including networking hardware, in amounts as small as $2,000.
You can request financing from IBM through your local IBM Business Partner. Once you submit a request, credit approval and a contract can be turned around in as little as 24 hours.
IBM Global Financing has an easy-to-use financing calculator that lets you quickly estimate the monthly costs for hardware, software and services you are considering. Simply change any of the product, dollar amount, or financing term inputs to create different monthly payment scenarios.
As a small to mid-sized business, conserving working capital and optimizing cash flow are key to growing your business. Financing your IT purchases helps you preserve working capital for strategic, revenue-producing initiatives. Predictable monthly payments help you manage your cash flow.
You can consolidate all of your IBM Smart Business purchases into one contract with a single, affordable monthly payment. That includes both IBM and non-IBM products and services.
Financing can:
- Match cash flow outlays with expected benefits
- Lower total cost of ownership (TCO)
- Transfer the risk of IT obsolescence to IBM Global Financing
- Dispose of your IT assets in a safe, environmentally compliant manner
For more information, please visit:
http://www.ibm.com/financing.
“Application” refers to the price for the stand-alone software. “Solution” refers to the price for a total business solution, including the application and the pre-configured hardware. Total business solutions will be available in the coming months.
IBM Smart Business solutions eliminate much of the complexity that comes with separate purchases of hardware and software. For starters, any application you find in the Smart Market has been pre-tested to run smoothly on standardized IBM Smart Cube hardware. Your IBM Smart Cube arrives already pre-loaded with several security-rich, back-office applications designed for growing companies. Your industry-specific and other applications then install themselves automatically. A single, built-in IT control center then automates many of the administrative tasks you would normally have to do manually. Finally, with IBM Smart Business, you'll have a single point of contact if your ever need help with any aspect of either hardware or software.
Yes. You will save money in a number of ways:
- An IBM representative can save you time identifying and purchasing the products you need
- You can be confident that all the products and services are IBM compatible and tailored to the needs of small and mid-sized companies
- You will be able to tap into a community of technology experts and other users, exchanging information that will help you realize the value of your IT investment
- The products and services listed on the site are offered at highly competitive prices
No, at this time the Smart Business software and the Smart Market experience are only supported on specially configured and factory-installed Power Systems.
