Integration and customer relationship management are converging. IBM and Siebel Systems Inc. announced Monday plans to combine IBMs CrossWorlds integration software with its Universal Application Network, which Seibel also announced Monday.
The Universal Application Network consists of a business process library, a business process design tool and an integration server.
IBM CrossWorlds essentially provides business process integration as part of the WebSphere platform.
Working with Siebel, IBM plans to upgrade its integration server to run standards-based business processes delivered by the Application Network.
The result: The IBM CrossWorlds InterChange Server will become an integration server for the Universal Application Network. The CrossWorlds InterChange Server automates business processes.
IBM, of Armonk, N.Y., and Siebel, of San Mateo, Calif., already have a long-standing relationship. Siebel currently combines IBM hardware, software and services with its CRM (customer relationship management) applications.
Big Blue also plans to establish a porting center within its Solution Partnership Center in San Mateo to foster the Siebel/CrossWorlds relationship–and provide technical support to customers.