New IBM unit will extend public-sector solutions

IBM Corp. is expanding its public-sector offerings to focus on delivering advanced analytic solutions to federal, state and local government organizations, as well as to fast-growing markets such as health care and education.

The computer giant yesterday unveiled the IBM Business Analytics and Optimization Services for Public Sector.

The new group will include experts in health care, transportation, social services, public safety, regulatory systems, customs and border management, defense, logistics, cybersecurity and education, according to a company announcement.

They also will collaborate with IBM researchers and tap into mathematics and information management capabilities across the Big Blue corporate structure, it said.

The new public-sector effort is part of the corporation’s larger focus on analytics, highlighted by IBM’s recently announced new Business Analytics and Optimization Services organization.

The practice includes more than 4,000 consultants, as well as approximately 200 mathematicians and advanced analytics experts from IBM research laboratories. The new service also draws on IBM’s information-management portfolio, including technologies from its recent acquisitions of Cognos and iLog.

Big Blue further justified the new group by saying that “stimulus and economic recovery investments around the world are accelerating the development and deployment of smarter systems such as intelligent utility grids, electronic medical records, improved transportation systems and food traceability.”

IBM’s portfolio of analytics services will include automated health care solutions.

The company has worked with the Social Security Administration and MedVirginia, to develop an electronic records exchange system to reduce from months to minutes the time to process requests for medical records associated with disability claims.

Other areas of focus will include public safety. IBM is working with the New York City police and fire departments to better assess, predict and prevent crime and fire incidents.

To deliver those services IBM is collaborating with clients through a worldwide network of analytics solutions centers. Centers in Berlin and Tokyo have opened, and additional locations will be launched in London, New York City and Washington, D.C., later this year.

IBM, of Armonk, N.Y., ranks No. 18 on Washington Technology’s 2009 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.