IBM expands AS/400 web services network

IBM has extended its online AS/400 services network through a partnership with internet marketplace company eLance.

IBM has extended its online AS/400 services network through a partnership with internet marketplace company eLance.

Previously, AS/400 business partners could advertise their services on the network, but now customers will be able to post their requirements and resellers will be able to bid for their business.

Although IBM has announced the site in Europe, only US businesses are currently advertised. Paul Fryer, AS/400 communications manager at IBM, said programmes to promote the site to customers and business partners will be introduced.

"What you're seeing here is an evolution. Before, we had a site for business partners to advertise themselves. Now we have the ability to link buyers and sellers in a dynamic manner," said Fryer.

Colin Boag, managing director of AS/400 reseller JBS Computers, said: "There are initiatives like this across every industry; IT is not immune. It looks fairly primitive, but at this stage so are most online marketplaces. The market will decide if it works or not."

Boag said he did not expect internet sites to work for selling every kind of service, but he could see certain AS/400 services being successfully marketed over the site.

Fryer acknowledged that, in most cases, customers are unlikely to buy a service contract off a website. "If it allows business partners to engage with new customers, it provides a low-cost route to market for them," he said.

The eLance website is designed for companies to buy and sell services. Its other computer services trading sites include Novell and Linux vendor RedHat.

First published in Computer Reseller News