IBM Corp has gone to Fargo, North Dakota-based Great Plains Software Inc for help with a financial management outsourcing service aimed at small and mid-sized businesses. IBM will run the Great Plains Dynamics financial management application through the secure host computers of its Global Services division. Great Plains will sell the service through its VAR channel. Applications and systems are maintained remotely, with the Dynamics software installed at the corporate site or remotely, and managed by IBM Global Services. Connections to the remotely-managed servers are made through a Citrix Systems Inc’s WinFrame session at the client site, with connections made by a local internet service provider. The two say the service will reduce costs for the client, address difficulties finding development and operations staff, circumvent the Year 200 problem, and provide a path for internet-enabling corporate applications. Pricing will be by monthly subscription when the service is rolled out in the fourth quarter.
