Walker teams with IBM to deliver Deep e-business solutions utilising WebSphere

Johannesburg, 08 Dec 2000

Walker`s next generation of Deep e-business solutions will exploit IBM WebSphere to deliver scalable, business-to-business e-business solutions

Walker, a global provider of e-business solutions for the enterprise, has announced it will make extensive use of IBM`s recently launched WebSphere Platform in its next generation of Deep e-business solutions - to be announced in August.

By embracing WebSphere, Walker will deliver e-business solutions that provide the means for Walker customers to increase efficiency with their suppliers, extend their reach to their customers, and develop new business models for their organisation.

Walker`s e-business applications are powered by WebSphere in three ways. First, integration is assured with messages delivered via MQ Series. Second, development with WebSphere Studio and VisualAge for Java permits Walker to focus on the e-business application, not the complexities of the technical implementation. Finally, deployment to WebSphere Application Server delivers the scalable, available, reliable, and secure solutions that customers have come to expect from both Walker and IBM.

"We believe WebSphere is the definitive development environment for the next release of our own e-business solutions," said Paul Lord, president of Walker. "And our own announcement, we believe, will underscore the incomparable strength and flexibility of IBM`s platform."

"Forward-looking companies are looking for an open, flexible, and reliable platform on which to base their e-business," said Paraic Sweeney, vice president, Business Transformation, IBM Software Group. "IBM`s WebSphere software platform for e-business and Walker`s Deep e-business solutions work together to help organisations transform their core business processes to become sophisticated e-businesses."

Walker will make Deep e-business solutions release 2.0 available during the third quarter of 2000. Walker is a member of the IBM PartnerWorld for Developers Program.

Walker`s Deep e-business solutions

Walker`s Deep e-business solution is one of the most scalable e-business applications available on the market today. Walker`s solutions exploit an open, scalable architecture that enables companies to collaborate across diverse technical, application software and business partner environments. The three components of Walker`s Deep e-business solutions are e-procurement, e-revenue and e-insight. Walker`s e-procurement streamlines purchasing and automates the entire procurement process, from requisition to payment, allowing buyers to focus on more strategic procurement processes. Walker`s e-revenue extends the reach of your customer processing and information to your customers to build customer loyalty and competitive advantage. Walker`s e-insight provides "one version" of the financial truth, sophisticated financial analysis, collaboration, distribution, and complete web based reporting.

IBM WebSphere Software Platform

IBM WebSphere`s customisable family of products provides the industry`s most scalable e-business software foundation and application services, and delivers a flexible and open platform on which to build next-generation e-business applications. Based on WebSphere Application Server, the WebSphere Software Platform supports business applications from simple Web publishing through enterprise-scale transaction processing. Through modular, integrated application services, such as Lotus Domino for rich collaboration capabilities and WebSphere Commerce Suite for high-performance, scalable commerce sites, the WebSphere platform transforms the way businesses manage customer, partner and employee relationships. Tightly integrated business and web content development tools and Web site management capabilities deliver the most advanced and productive end-to-end application development, deployment and integration for sophisticated e-business solutions. Information about the complete WebSphere Software platform is on the Web at http://www.software.ibm.com/websphere.

Walker

Walker Interactive Systems, Inc. headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a leading, global provider of e-business solutions for the enterprise. The Walker family of e-business applications and vertical industry solutions, combined with integration and consulting services, is utilised by Global 2000 organisations in industries including banking and financial services, retail, transportation and utilities. www.walker.com