The IBM Mashup Starter Kit, available today on IBM alphaWorks, can combine information from databases, departmental information, personal information or the Web. It rapidly blends information and Web services, such as real-time weather reports or maps, with enterprise content and services, and easily "mashes" them together to generate fast, flexible and affordable applications for specific business needs.

The IBM Mashup Starter Kit enables line of business users to assemble their own Web 2.0 mashup applications, solving business problems without aid from IT specialists.

This new approach to delivering Web 2.0 applications for the enterprise builds upon IBM's Information on Demand strategy for helping organizations seize control of runaway data growth and rapidly respond to emerging opportunities by using information as a strategic business asset. Emerging technologies, such as those announced today, represent a new way of approaching business with real-time access to information.

"We see very exciting opportunities for IBM's mashup technologies," said Paul Raymond, business director, AccuWeather, Inc. "Widget-delivered weather information allows our clients to utilize AccuWeather data to identify and exploit business opportunities, while at the same time helping manage risks imposed by adverse weather conditions."

"The combined solution of IBM's Mashup Starter Kit and JustSystems XFY product holds the promise of letting key decision makers within our business easily and rapidly unlock valuable data to address our business needs," said Susumu Haraki, vice director R&D Information Management Department, R&D Division, Daiichi Sankyo, Japan's largest pharmaceutical company.

The IBM Mashup Starter Kit with the enhanced version of QEDWiki is available for download now on alphaWorks, IBM's online community for early adopters. Readers can visit http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/ibmmsk to download.

The first commercial version of the IBM Mashup Starter Kit is expected to be available from IBM and IBM Business Partners in first quarter 2008.