IBM partners with software vendors serving government customers

More than 500 software vendors have joined an IBM program that gives the companies access to resources ?- such as technical and marketing ?- to assist with the development of open solutions based on IBM technology.

More than 500 software vendors have joined an IBM program that gives the companies access to resources?such as technical and marketing?to assist with the development of open solutions based on IBM technology, IBM officials said.

Vendors participating in the PartnerWorld Government Industry Network program include government contractors such as ITM Associates Inc. based in Rockville, Md. and Police Central Inc. and EzGov Inc., both based in Atlanta.

Among the resources IBM will provide include:

* Information to help target opportunities such as Webcasts from industry analysts

* Government sector networking and collaboration opportunities

* Technical roadmaps

* Sales and marketing support including discounted advertising and support for direct mail and web-based marketing campaigns.

The services can be accessed through an IBM Web portal.