IBM Launches Flexible Hosting Solutions to Help Businesses

IBM (www.ibm.com) today announced a new service that provides a Web-based repository for document and records management to help clients of all sizes comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX).

Called IBM Flexible Hosting Solutions, Workplace for Business Controls and Reporting (WBCR) Service, the solution enables clients to utilize IBM's WBCR application software quickly via the Internet. The service provides businesses with an alternative to building and running their technology infrastructure in-house by tapping into computer systems in IBM data centers to provide sophisticated management of WBCR application software.

Among the first clients that will begin using IBM's new service is Barnwell Industries, Inc. Barnwell explores for, produces, and sells natural gas and oil in Canada and invests in leasehold land and drills wells and maintains water systems in Hawaii.

"Barnwell selected IBM's hosted WBCR service because we wanted to utilize the software at both our Canadian and Hawaiian offices, and it was a much more preferable solution for a company our size than to make the IT investment to install, run and manage the software and related additional hardware in house," said Russell M. Gifford, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Barnwell.

The new service is the latest in IBM's range of compliance capabilities that help clients do more than just meet basic requirements.

"Compliance is not a one-time activity, it is constant and evolves as legislation does, so it is vital for clients to be able to streamline processes and collect information in a way that is cost effective," said Susanne Ruschka-Taylor, Partner, IBM Business Consulting Services Business Risk Management practice.

IBM's WBCR service also features backup and restoration services and help desk support. As enhancements to the WBCR software are released over time, the service will be updated so that clients are able to tap the most up-to-date product functionality.

In addition, the roadmap for the service will address expansions of WBCR that can help companies address a broader range of compliance issues. The service is available immediately. Clients pay a monthly charge for the service based on the number of users.

IBM hosting services are made possible by IBM's data centers, which provide sophisticated management of applications. The cornerstone of the centers is IBM's Universal Management Infrastructure (UMI), which helps speed the deployment of critical IT resources.

IBM Global Services is the world's largest information technology services and consulting provider. Some 180,000 professionals in more than 160 countries help clients integrate information technology with business value -- from the business transformation and industry expertise of IBM Business Consulting Services to hosting, infrastructure, technology design and training services.

Leveraging IBM's unequalled scope and scale, IBM Global Services delivers integrated, flexible and resilient processes -- across companies and through business partners -- that enable clients to save money and transform their businesses to be more competitive.