SOMERS, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2005 -- In response to high double-digit growth in 2004 in the number of customers deploying IBM collaboration software on the Linux (TM) platform, including WebSphere(R) Portal, Lotus(R) Notes(R)/Domino(R), and IBM Workplace(TM), IBM today announced that it plans to invest $100 million over three years to expand Linux support and technology across its Workplace software portfolio. The investment will be focused on ISV support programs, channel and partner enablement and promotion, research and development, sales and marketing, and various technology and integration centers.

This expanded Linux support will help give customers the ability to build end-to-end Linux solutions and provide customers with expanded choice in choosing a client while helping to manage costs and increase flexibility through cross-platform support.

IBM's server-managed client model enables customers to centrally manage and deploy business applications and data to a range of devices as needed -- from traditional desktops and laptops to a range of devices such as shop-floor terminals, PDAs and cell phones. IBM Workplace Client Technology enables products and applications to run on a variety of operating systems, including Linux, which provides an additional choice for customers looking for a client-side Linux solution.

"Since customers have been looking for ways to extend the value of Linux to the desktop, IBM felt the time was right to deliver a fully-supported Linux client alternative," said Ambuj Goyal, general manager of Workplace, Portal and Collaboration Software, IBM. "IBM is helping customers to more fully utilize the business benefits of the Linux platform by providing software on Linux to help build the front end of their solutions."

Today's announcement is one of several recent enhancements to IBM's Linux strategy. The planned investment in IBM collaboration and productivity products will provide additional choices of server managed capabilities for Linux customers. IBM Workplace Services Express, which provides integrated, "out of the box" collaborative capabilities for the small and medium business market, already ships with support for Linux. IBM's recently-announced IBM Workplace Collaboration Services, which includes a disconnected, rich client enabled by IBM Workplace Client Technology, provides enterprise-level scalability and will ship with support for Linux when it becomes available, currently targeted for next quarter. The technology and products will be augmented with a wide range of business partner enablement programs and transformation services to help make it easier for customers to purchase and deploy IBM Workplace software to assist them in meeting their business needs.

IBM's new Workplace software and Workplace Client Technology demonstrates IBM's ongoing commitment to open standards and Linux support. In addition to IBM Workplace software and related solutions, IBM Lotus Domino and IBM WebSphere Portal support Linux and help IBM provide one of the industry's most complete Linux-based product families for improving the productivity of people.

About IBM Workplace

IBM Workplace comprises a family of products, tools and technologies and solutions that help to transform the way people work. It provides the next generation of end user working environments that blends collaborative tools, applications and connections into a single environment designed to meet particular business needs. And, IBM Workplace builds on investments in Lotus Notes/Domino, IBM Workplace, WebSphere Portal and WebSphere Everyplace. IBM continues to build on this vision today with the delivery of technology enhancements, new services and industry solutions that offer appropriate access to the people, processes and information and help customers transform their business to the Workplace model.

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IBM, Lotus, Domino, Notes, WebSphere, Workplace, Workplace Client Technology and Workplace Managed Client are trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Linux is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both.

The information provided herein is based on IBM's current product plans and strategy, which are subject to change by IBM without notice.