Lawson Expands IBM Relationship

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN - News) and IBM (NYSE:IBM - News) today announced an expansion of technology and reseller agreements to focus on small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in select industries in Germany. Under the expanded reseller agreement, IBM will co-design, sell and implement solutions based on Lawsons enterprise software solutions specifically designed for the needs of SMBs in process manufacturing and retail. The agreement expands a North American resale agreement successfully launched earlier this year that focused on SMBs in banking and insurance and manufacturing firms in the fashion and food and beverage industries.

The existing technology and reseller partnership between the two companies has resulted in new contracts with multiple customers, including Germany-based Enia Carpet Group, along with many additional new business opportunities for Lawson and IBM. The new contracts underscore the value Lawson and IBM bring to customers by delivering enterprise software solutions on IBM hardware and software with support from IBM Global Services. The ongoing partnership between Lawson and IBM had already resulted in nearly 1,000 Lawson customers moving to the Lawson System Foundation solution running on IBM middleware.

Under the new agreement, IBM Global Business Services consultants will apply their knowledge of manufacturing and retail industries and midsize businesses to deliver industry solutions based on Lawson enterprise applications, which are designed to support these specific industry markets. Lawson will collaborate with IBM experts on hardware, software and sales to provide packaged solutions that solve critical business and technology issues for SMBs in these targeted industries.

“Like Lawson, IBM has a deep understanding of the issues and challenges for companies in the manufacturing and retail industries,” said Brian Sterrett, vice president of channels and partners for Lawson. “With the expansion of this agreement to one of our most important European markets, we are better positioned to bring the kind of product, sales and support that our customers in these industries need to be competitive and to grow in the global marketplace.”

Lawson Software Inc.