Big Blue is further aligning its software and consulting arms to address an emerging business opportunity estimated to reach $69 billion by 2009 (18 percent CAGR), driven by a convergence of emerging challenges facing businesses today -- including globalization, mergers and acquisitions and regulatory compliance. These factors, IBM said, have ignited client demand for new insight and technology to enable them to innovate and grow their business.

'Next to people, information is a company's greatest asset, but it's value can't be realized if it's not effectively managed and delivered to the right people, business applications and processes," said Steve Mills, senior vice president, IBM Software Group. "While there's no shortage of individual piece-part products out there to help manage, search, secure and store information, companies drowning in data need a holistic approach if they have any hope of using their information for real business advantage. By combining our software and consulting expertise, IBM is helping clients unlock the real value of their business information."

Additionally, IBM is announcing six new solution portfolios and new software products to help clients transform their businesses from an outdated model in which data is managed as an afterthought from within applications, to an environment in which information is set free and managed as a strategic asset and to drive better decision making. IBM is also introducing step-by-step assessment tools and a new center of excellence to help clients quickly assess and tackle their individual information requirements.