IBM-PwCC Deal To Rattle Alliance System In IT Services

The alliance system in the technology services and consulting industries is about to be shaken. IBMs planned $3.5 billion acquisition of PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting will probably cause several services firms to switch partners in coming months according to industry executives and analysts. IBM and PwC Consulting both have separate alliances with several software companies. But if PwCC becomes part of IBM as planned some of the partnerships will probably disappear or be scaled back. Some PwCC hardware partners for example might not want to do business with an arm of Big Blue their biggest competitor. Several companies aligned with either PwCC or IBM said theyre waiting until the acquisition closes before they make any decisions. The deal is expected to close in the fall pending approval by PwCC partners and regulatory agencies. PwCC’s alliance with Electronic Data Systems to jointly install and maintain software from SAP AG in clients systems will likely be terminated. However PeopleSoft # who considers PwC and IBM their top two alliance members respectively # will likely look for ways to expand its relationship with the combined firm.

2002年 12月10日
参照Cosulting Wire