Information technology leader IBM and B2B software
provider Retek Thursday forged a
significant alliance targeted at the global retail market.
Both companies have agreed to jointly market, sell and service a
comprehensive retail e-business solution consisting of Retek applications
and IBM technologies. Retek will promote
IBM Global Services as its leading consultant and implementation partner.
In addition to standardizing on IBM’s DB2 Universal database, Retek will
base its future applications IBM’s framework for e-business, a technical
roadmap that integrates Internet technology with information technology and
IBM’s WebSphere product family. Retek will also develop applications on IBM
hardware platforms RS/6000 and Netfinity servers.
Meanwhile, IBM will substantially increase its Retek-devoted staff from
60 to more than 300 professionals and will lead with Retek’s solutions in
its retail sales solutions. IBM also will augment Retek’s sales tem with
more than 200 account executives worldwide and will serve as Retek’s premier
development partner.
As part of the deal, IBM has taken an undisclosed equity position in
Retek. The companies report they will substantially benefit the $7.2
trillion worldwide retail market while garnering revenues of more than $1
billion by 2003.
According a statement released by Rebek, the partnership aims to produce
billions in benefits for retail customers through “tighter supply chain
orchestration, leveraging B2B and private exchanges, shortening time to
market and time in market, improved fixed asset utilization and cash
operating cycles, integrating multi-channel selling and customer
relationship management.”
The alliance between the two companies began in March whey they announced
a joint offering of hardware, software and services tailored at the food and
drug segment of the retail market. At that time, IBM and Retek were selected
by A&P to help support grocer’s chain and business management infrastructure
and to provide the supermarket operator with new e-commerce and business
capabilities.
