(December 4, 2001) – IBM Corp. has announced the opening of the WebSphere Innovation Center, in the heart of lower Manhattan. Located in The Information Technology Center Building at 55 Broad St., the WebSphere Innovation Center is designed to provide important services for resellers and end users, including WebSphere software-based "test drives" on a variety of hardware platforms and operating environments, and proof-of-concept support and technical briefings. This customer-centric showcase will offer a wide range of technology-based solutions for several industry sectors, including financial services. Originally scheduled to open sooner, the Center was set back by the Sept. 11 attacks.

IBM is partnering with the professional services firm Rave Software Solutions, and with Avnet Computer Marketing, Hall-Mark Division, a worldwide value-added distributor of enterprise computing products, software and services, to manage the center, and it will draw many other IBM partners and customers.

Avnet Hall-Mark recently announced that it would open two WIC facilities in the first quarter of 2002; one facility in San Antonio, Texas, and another in Chandler, Arizona. The Manhattan WIC, however, represents a consortium of resellers. Rave will provide the facilities and hardware, along with e-business consultation. Avnet Hall-Mark will not only provide the necessary product, but is bringing together several of its reseller (VAR) partners in the area to make critical WebSphere skills available at the center.

The grand opening of the Manhattan WIC will take place December 5 and 6, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Dec. 5 from 4 - 6 p.m. Executives from IBM, Avnet Hall-Mark and Rave will greet customers, partners, and others from the WebSphere community.

For more information visit www.nycwic.com, or www.ibm.com/websphere.