Connect finalist in IBM UK Awards
4th March 2009
Just seven months on from becoming an IBM partner, in July 2008, the Connect Partnership was announced as a finalist in the 'Rising Star' category of IBM UK's Platinum Awards.

Commenting on the accolade, Connect's managing director, Brian Reid, said: "At Connect we have always valued our vendor independence and so it takes something special for us to let go, if even just a little, of that neutrality. IBM making express versions of its world renowned, enterprise class products available to the SMB market, at prices our customers can afford, is that special event.

"Proof of the attractiveness of IBM's approach was that within a month of joining the IBM partner programme we began working on a significant MQ project with a large investment manager.

"Spurred on by that project's success, we are making available a version of our new iSTAMP Enterprise Service Bus and Asset Intelligence architecture utilizing a range of IBM components at its core. Powered by IBM, iSTAMP will give our clients the opportunity to access blue chip, robust and proven industrial strength IBM software at a price that is not only competitive with MS technologies but carries a far lower support and hardware load.

"That is a perfect expression of Connect's goal to deliver 'intelligent business'".

Commenting on Connect's nomination for the Rising Star Award, Colin Chesterman of IBM said: "We are delighted to be working with The Connect Partnership to help them develop and launch iSTAMP. This is a great example of collaboration between IBM and The Connect Partnership to use IBM's open middleware capabilities to deliver a powerful industry solution. With the support of their IBM Distributor DNS Arrow, The Connect Partnership have teamed up with the IBM Innovations Centre in Hursley, to ensure that iSTAMP delivers significant benefits to clients.