Progress goes ahead with ISV drive

Progress Software has unveiled its plans for an independent software vendor recruitment drive with the help of IBM Global Financing.

Progress Software has unveiled its plans for an independent software vendor (ISV) recruitment drive with the help of IBM Global Financing.

The new initiative, known as the Application Regeneration Programme (ARP), will enable the company to expand its ISV base by attracting customers using legacy applications, or ones that may be too small for rival database company Oracle.

Dave Clare, channel development executive at Progress, said: "The programme is focused on companies that need to redevelop their applications. Our programme is more than a tool set. It's about a need for companies to move to the next generation of software."

The ARP provides ISVs and application service providers with a one-stop shop for systems upgrading, complete with total financing, maintenance, consultancy and training.

The financial arm of the recruitment drive is IBM Global Financing. "We provide complete project funding, with no fixed-term contracts or up-front financial commitment, allowing smaller ISVs to reduce the time to profit," said Ivor Coleman, communications manager at IBM Global Financing. "It's a pay-as-you-go theme. This partnership is an opportunity for IBM to make a move into the ISV market."

Clare commented that ISVs that may have the potential to become global players are struggling to look after their existing systems and do not have the resources to expand into ebusiness and other developing markets.

"Our global relationship with IBM is enabling us to offer a more creative type of financial support programme. External resources can still be maintained, but payment is deferred until profit is reached. It's a long-term approach to partnerships," he said.