Lenovo Group has secured another deal with IBM that raises prospects for its software business, more than a year after acquiring the United States information technology giant's personal-computer division.
IBM's Global Technology Services unit has obtained, for an undisclosed sum, a three-year license to use Lenovo's so-called ThinkVantage Technologies, including productivity software under the former IBM personal computer business that Lenovo bought for US$1.75 billion (HK$13.7 billion) in May last year.
The deal will allow IBM Global Technology Services to deploy six ThinkVantage software tools on a wide variety of personal computers and improve its management of corporate customers' non-Lenovo systems worldwide.
The IBM unit supports millions of personal computers and users with help-desk and desktop services contracts.
'ThinkVantage Technologies are a pillar in the IBM-Lenovo relationship as we work together to reduce costs and innovate in the personal computer services space. This agreement is another example of how IBM is leveraging proven technology to manage down its clients IT services costs,' said Ralph Senst, vice-president of global alliances at IBM Global Technology Services.
A Lenovo spokesman said the ThinkVantage Technologies helped reduce dependence on IT staff and improve users' productivity by automating basic computing support tasks - including data and virus recovery, connectivity assistance, and personal computer deployment and disposal - on Lenovo and other leading PC brands such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Toshiba and Fujitsu.