IBM internal use only

IBM Systems & Technology Group
March 2006

Question and Answer Document

IBM System x™

Q1: Why is IBM changing the name of their x86 server line from IBM ~®xSeries® to System x?

A1: In 2005, IBM® announced the Systems Agenda for On Demand Business to articulate the company’s evolving vision and commitment: To deliver innovative technology and expertise for business advantage.

In support of the Systems Agenda, IBM is unifying the mission as well as the naming conventions for our server and storage product lines, under the inclusive IBM System brand. Built on open standards, IBM Systems are designed to work with associated middleware, resulting in a synergy of best-in-class solutions for critical business applications.

We design our industry-standard IBM System x™ and IBM BladeCenter® systems to support the Systems Agenda—systems that are open, that can easily interoperate with others and yet are secure and available when needed; systems that help simplify IT management.

Q2: Are the other IBM server lines changing their names?

A2: Yes, all the other IBM server lines have moved to the IBM System brand naming.

Q3: How does this benefitclients?

A3: Taking advantage of IBM’s collective IT expertise, the Systems Agenda fosters a synergy of servers, storage, IT infrastructure and related components—enabling them to be integrated into more complete systems. The IBM Systems Agenda provides a strategic commitment to help deliver systems around key imperatives that can help clients virtualize their IT resources, integrate open industry standards into their data center and find innovative solutions through collaboration.

System x servers can help clients address key pain points:

  • Adding new IT resources results in increased operational and managementcomplexity
  • As the infrastructure grows, the support costs grow exponentially
  • Service levels are difficult to achieve/maintain; business disruptions are too frequent
  • Choosing a specific vendor often results in lock-in, significant investment risks
  • Companies need to integrate and optimize their processes in the continually changing marketplace

As part of the entire Systems Agenda value, these issues are addressed by:

  • Defining and delivering an IBM systems-level approach that profoundly simplifies IT management
  • Providing systems with automated, end-to-end IT infrastructure optimization
  • Providing systems with greater levels of built-in availability and security capabilities
  • Delivering open and integrated systems that leverage technology innovation and fit within any IT environment
  • Enabling greater collaboration with customers and IBM Business Partners to deliver client-focused solutions

Q4:How does this benefit IBM Business Partners?

A4: The channel environment and IBM strategy in 2006 really focuses on providing customers end-to-end solutions and providing answers. It’s all about solving customer pain points. IBM System x gives BPs an opportunity to become even more entrenched in their customers’ business with systems where information flows freely across the enterprise. BPs can now more easily provide systems that are designed to be integrated across their customer’s infrastructure. To be successful in the channel in 2006 selling a certain “series” will not be as effective as being able to take a “system” across all of IBM’s brands to provide solutions that our customers need

Q5: How willthe new naming affect IBM Business Partners?

A5: We are not asking IBM Business Partners to make a single, comprehensive cutover to the new naming. Instead, as new x86 servers are introduced throughout 2006, they will announce with the IBM System x naming. This approach takes advantage of the normal announcement process and should minimize the updates required for IBM Business Partners.

Q6: When will the migration to new naming be complete?

A6: The new System x line of servers will be completely renamed by year-end 2006.

Q7: What servers will be included in the new IBM System x line?

A7: IBM System x encompasses the current xSeries product line and the IBM ~ e326. The IBM ~ BladeCenter name changed to IBM BladeCenter in February.

Q8: What will the new naming construct be?

A8: The new names consist of “IBM System xxxx” where there is a specific meaning for each of the four digits represented by “xxxx”. The first digit will be a “3” to indicate an x86-based server. The second digit indicates the functionality of a product,with higher numbers representing more processing power. The third digitindicates whether the system is tower or rack based, with “0” representing a tower and “5” representing a rack-based server. The last digit indicates the type of processor, with a “0” for Intel processor-based servers and a “5” for AMD processor-based servers.

For example, the new name for the IBM ~ xSeries x460 is IBM System x3950, where 3 means “x86-based server”, 9 means “high-processor power”, 5 means “rack-based server”, and 0 indicates an Intel-based processor.

Q9:How will this affect clients who want to order xSeries from IBM?

A9: It will run the same as any other product announcement. You can sell old inventory.

Q10:Will this change/affect the part numbers I can order?

A10: No – as with any new follow on product, the System x products will have new part numbers but existing part numbers for xSeries products will still exist

Q11:Where can I find more information on IBM System x and the IBM Systems Agenda?

A11:

Q12: Are the IBM ~ xSeries 260, 366 and 460 still available?

A12:Yes. As with the announcement of any new follow on product, the original product will still be available until it enters “end of life” cycle

Q13: What do I do with my old xSeries inventory?

A13: Old inventory is still supported and can be sold as usual

Q14How long can I keep using my existing xSeries collateral?

A14 Existing collateral can still be used until old inventory enters end of life and is no longer available

Q15:Will existing xSeries configurators still work?

A15: Yes

© Copyright IBM Corporation 2006
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Produced in the United States of America
03-06
All Rights Reserved
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