IBM Ranked World's Leading IT Training Provider

August 12, 2004 - (HostReview.com) - IBM (www.ibm.com) today announced that analyst firm International Data Corporation (IDC) ( www.idc.com) has recognized IBM as the industry leader in IT training for the second year in a row. The report, "The Worldwide Top 15 IT Training Providers, 2003," positions IBM as one of the few vendors able to meet broad IT training market demands with multiple solutions. In addition, the report recognizes IBM as being at the forefront of training for advanced and emerging technologies -- such as wireless, Web services and security.

"Because we are seeing an increase in the number of IT professionals aggressively taking charge of their careers, IBM is expanding its technical education and professional training programs in order to meet the demands of today's marketplace," said Greg Schrubbe, director IBM IT Education Services (ITES). "In order to get the most in-demand IT skills and training they need to get ahead, people are turning to IBM."

According to the report, to be published on August 30, 2004, IBM's success in IT training is attributed to several key factors. Enhanced by the integration of PwCC's learning services division, IBM is building training into an end-to-end IT solution in support of customer business initiatives.

In addition, IBM continues to build its training business around the industry's most prevalent technologies such as Cisco Systems Network Architecture and Microsoft Systems Management Server.

According to the report, IBM also provides training to both IBM customers and IBM Business Partners. The company has established a global network of education partners, including independent training/e-learning providers, IT consultants/systems integrators, and VARs, which sell and deliver company-authorized training.