IBM makes iProvide a host with the most

UK application service provider iProvide has become one of only 15 ASPs worldwide to join IBM's Hosting Advantage programme.

UK application service provider (ASP) iProvide has become one of only 15 ASPs worldwide to join IBM's Hosting Advantage programme.

The programme, which is similar to Microsoft's Certified Solution Provider partner scheme, is an accreditation process for hosting-service providers.

ASPs that graduate from the programme are accredited with an 'Approved by IBM' status. This means IBM will recommend the firm to its 18,000-strong software vendor base.

Hosting Advantage participants are able to deal with the demand for critical business applications that can be delivered on a rental or subscription basis over networks. Companies will be teamed up with appropriate application developers from IBM's base of software vendors.

Tosca Colangeli, sales executive at IBM, said the ASP model affects all software developers, from the smallest vendors selling mass market applications to multi-national businesses reliant on bespoke applications.

"To meet the needs of all its customers, IBM needs accredited hosting partners like iProvide, to which we can direct our independent software vendors with confidence," she said.

Hosting Advantage partners also benefit users, according to iProvide. All users of applications provided by IBM independent software vendors can obtain those applications via an ASP, which must comply with IBM's standards of hosting and service.

Tim Edwards, business development officer at iProvide, said: "There are two ways of ASP-enabling an application: rewriting it in Java to make it deliverable over the internet, or adding a Citrix Metaframe interface. Our expertise is in the latter, while IBM is focused on Java. So the relationship means we can meet the needs of all IBM's software partners."

As a member of Hosting Advantage, iProvide will receive leads generated by IBM's ASP Prime Solutions Centres and by IBM marketing campaigns. It will also receive technical support and training, licences and other benefits.