IBM Invests $1B in On-Demand Efforts

IBM said Thursday it would invest $1 billion over the next three years in information management software development. The move is designed to help Big Blue's clients make information more accessible to office workers, often referred to as "information-on-demand."

More than 15,000 consultants would be dedicated to the projects, with plans to increase that number by about 10,000 more over three years. The company would bring together its software and consulting wings in order to address "an emerging business opportunity," IBM said in a statement.

Bringing together the two facets of IBM's business was a large undertaking, and has been ongoing for the past year. The company has spent this time refocusing its worldwide branches that had previously worked separately, including researchers, programmers and sales.

"By combining our software and consulting expertise, IBM is helping clients unlock the real value of their business information," software senior vice president Steve Mills said in a statement.

Analysts say the combined force could seriously impact IBM's competitors, including Accenture and EDS, and place it as the top information management solution provider.

"Next to people, information is a company's greatest asset, but its value can't be realized if it's not effectively managed and delivered to the right people, business applications and processes," Mills said.