IBM and Intuit Appliance

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IBM offers SMB IT in a box

by Jake Widman
ITWire, Wednesday, 20 May 2009

IBM and Intuit are working together to produce an automated IT appliance to handle the technology and business needs of small and medium businesses.

According to the announcement, the Smart Cube "includes all of the fundamental capabilities needed to run a small or medium business including email, calendaring, security and finances."

The Cube will come with Intuit's QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions financial management software.

Perhaps most interesting, though, is the way the Cube connects to IBM's new-to-the-U.S. Smart Market online applications store.

Reminiscent of Apple's iPhone App Store, the Smart Market enables Cube owners to download business software and easily configure it for their business.

Sixteen software vendors are already offering 48 business applications through the Market, ranging from collaborative project management to SMB-oriented business intelligence to CRM tools.

The IBM/Intuit appliance starts at $7,745 and is available through IBM and Intuit Value Added Resellers.