IBM to open eight centers

International Business Machines Corp (IBM)

plans to open eight centers across the globe in the next six months to

help companies tie together disparate computer systems, to extend its

powerful position in e-business.

With the rapid expansion of the Internet, ever-more-complex software

programs and the rise of global networks, medium- to large-sized companies

face the challenge of tying together systems so that they can not only

communicate inside their company but also with suppliers and customers.

IBM software vice president of marketing Wlliam Reedy said,``For medium to

large businesses, application integration is a problem that knows no

size,''

The first center is slated to open soon in Chicago, followed by others

in San Mateo, California and Hursley, England in October. The area of

business integration is important to IBM because of its role not only as

the world's largest computer maker but also as the biggest computer

services company -- the fastest-growing part of IBM's business, analysts

said.

In May, Chairman and Chief Executive Louis Gerstner had told Wall

Street investors that $20 billion, or 20 per cent of IBM's 1998 revenues

came from demand for its e-business hardware, software and services.

Already, IBM is working to boost its role as a supplier of technology

building blocks like computer chips and storage devices to industry

rivals.