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IBM Express Insights radio series

IBM thought leaders discuss key issues facing mid-sized business

IBM Express Insights

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Market conditions stimulate CEOs to change
Technology Now, I'm Bill Crawford. A recent IBM global survey of CEOs at midsize organizations shows that many are driven to change in response to a new global economy. IBM's Susan Kerr.

KERR: An astounding three out of every four CEOs plan to change their business model to grow through global expansion. Thanks to the Internet and globalization, it's now easier for smaller businesses to compete on the global stage.

ANCHOR LEAD: Kerr says midsize organizations have the DNA to quickly seize new opportunities, transform their businesses for competitive advantage and drive change in their industries.

KERR: Even organizations without immediate plans to expand globally should determine their readiness for change. Whether exploring new business models, expanding into new markets or other changes, these businesses should map a strategy for success.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about The IBM CEO Study Midmarket Point of View on ibm.com.


Identify security threats before they occur
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Bill Crawford. A security breach can significantly harm a business, but now there's a way to address both external and internal web security threats before they impact the your business. IBM's Susan Kerr.

KERR: Security breaches can be devastating to a company well beyond financial costs like damage to public image and losing employee productivity. Now a next-generation security testing solution from IBM helps to significantly reduce these risks and test for any vulnerabilities online.

ANCHOR LEAD: Kerr says that IBM Rational AppScan Express provides automated security testing on an ongoing basis and advice on how to fix any issues.

KERR: In addition to improving Web security, the software also helps small and medium sized business increase productivity and comply with important mandatory regulations.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM Rational AppScan Express on ibm.com.


Easy and affordable data protection
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Bill Crawford. Most businesses can't afford to lose data or even be without critical applications for a few minutes. The good news is that effective data protection is now easier than ever. IBM's Michele Ogle.

OGLE: Data loss can cripple a business, but a next-generation data protection and recovery solution from IBM helps businesses quickly restore any amount of data, anywhere in the organization from any point in time.

ANCHOR LEAD: Ogle says that IBM TSM Fastback helps reduce the time it takes to recover individual emails and files from hours to just minutes.

OGLE: With continuous, frequent and scheduled protection engines - businesses with limited resources can maintain continuity while reducing hardware, bandwidth and labor costs.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM TSM Fastback on ibm.com.


Green technology: Good for business, Good for the environment
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Bill Crawford. In a move to be more environmentally friendly, many small and mid-sized businesses are looking at ways to save energy. The good news is that adopting energy saving IT practices can be both financially attractive and easy to implement. IBM's Leah Wooten.

WOOTEN: Many businesses don't realize they are running more hardware than they need. Energy costs spiral for these businesses because each server is dedicated to performing only one function.

ANCHOR LEAD: Wooten adds that using "virtual" server technology to consolidate servers, onto a single blade server, for example, can provide significant energy savings for businesses.

WOOTEN: Beyond saving space and energy, consolidating with blade servers also reduces technical complexity, making it easier for short-handed smaller businesses to maintain the system.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM's energy-efficient servers on ibm.com.


Know your risks to protect valuable business assets
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Bill Crawford. With the increasing sophistication of internet threats to your business, it may be hard to determine just how secure your company really is. One company is helping small and medium sized businesses identify their vulnerabilities and risks. IBM's Michele Ogle.

OGLE: It is critical to protect valuable assets like customer data, intellectual capital and financial information. Express Penetration Testing from IBM demonstrates how attackers can infiltrate your business and can help determine how to prioritize your security needs.

ANCHOR LEAD: Ogle adds that IBM's security experts leverage years of research and experience to perform comprehensive, yet affordable testing.

OGLE: Clients receive a detailed security roadmap that prioritizes areas of weakness and provides recommendations to improve security and meet compliance requirements.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM Penetration Testing on ibm.com.


IBM's Collaboration Solutions from Lotus
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Dave Brown. These days, it's crucial for businesses to communicate and collaborate with ease and speed. One company is offering growing small and medium sized businesses an affordable and reliable resource. IBM's Martha Swanson.

SWANSON: IBM's Collaboration Portfolio from Lotus offer security-rich solutions that extend assets, improve operating efficiencies and grow along with your business. Technology like secure instant messaging, virtual workspaces and Web conferencing help to increase speed and efficiency for communication between employees, customers and suppliers.

ANCHOR LEAD: These solutions work with existing technology to provide an affordable, turnkey package that doesn't require a large investment in on-site IT expertise.

SWANSON: New starter packs armed with optimal security provide easy access to reliable e-mail, calendaring and scheduling, documents, blogs, teamrooms, instant messaging, Web conferencing and more.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM's Collaboration Solutions from Lotus on ibm.com.


Keeping your company ahead of computer security threats
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Bill Crawford. Daily maintenance of your company's computer network security is essential for keeping ahead of cyber threats. IBM's Michele Ogle.

OGLE: Companies that fail to protect their customers' data risk losing their trust, loyalty, and their business. Organizations need to understand that security is an ongoing process and a proactive approach is the only way to prevent new threats.

ANCHOR LEAD: A new resource, Secured magazine, is available to help keep small and medium sized businesses up-to-date on security challenges companies face today.

OGLE: IBM Internet Security Systems now publishes 'Secured', a free quarterly magazine and 'e-Secured' a monthly e-newsletter. Each issue offers businesses tips, trends and technologies to improve your company's security position. Included is advice on regulatory compliance and industry best practices shared by industry experts, research analysts and others.

ANCHOR LEAD: For more on Secured magazine, go to www.iss.net/newsletters/secured.


Personalized medicine brings more effective prescription drugs to you
ANCHOR LEAD: Even though we're remarkably similar, researchers have discovered that even the slightest differences between us impacts how we respond to drug therapies for everything from asthma to cancer. IBM's Armida Newell:

NEWELL: According to a study by the IBM Institute of Business Value, understanding how diseases affect different groups of people is bringing more effective drugs to market that have significantly fewer side effects.

ANCHOR LEAD: And for patients, the possibility of more drug therapies means a better chance to fight disease.

NEWELL: Modeling and simulation help determine how a drug will work for certain people in order to develop more personalized drugs with fewer side effects. Technology is critical to these discoveries, and now small and medium-sized businesses have the advantages and access to the same technology used by large pharmaceutical companies.

ANCHOR LEAD: This gives patients greater access to drug therapies specifically tailored to be more effective at treating disease.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM's Institute of Business Value and the Pharma 2010 Study at ibm.com.


New servers help with cost savings, energy efficiency, business growth
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now. I'm Dave Brown. It's important for small and medium sized businesses to take advantage of affordable, cutting edge technologies that can help them get more competitive. Now businesses have a powerful new resource. IBM's Andy Dominguez:

DOMINGUEZ: Many companies use dedicated servers for key business initiatives, creating a complex and costly technology environment. The IBM System p servers consolidate existing servers, helping to create a single viewpoint of your network operations.

ANCHOR LEAD: Dominguez says built in Advanced Power Virtualization is a new technology most companies cite as essential for cost savings and future business growth.

DOMINGUEZ: Virtualization helps to exceed your business goals while paving the way for expansion. IBM is offering a sixty-day test drive of selected System p servers at no cost.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about the System p Test Drive offer at ibm.com.


Safety of your computer data depends on 'Recovery Express'
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now — I'm Dave Brown. Natural disasters, hackers and computer viruses are just a few of the ways businesses can lose important data without warning. Often times, finding the right disaster recovery solution can be a challenge. IBM's Leah Wooten:

WOOTEN: Many offerings today include services that some companies may not initially require based on their size, adding unnecessary expense and complexity. IBM's Disaster Recovery Services for data center recovery - Recovery Express - is designed specifically to meet the needs of small and medium sized businesses and help them stay up and running.

ANCHOR LEAD: IBM's Wooten says that losing data can result in lost revenue and also, impact customer loyalty.

WOOTEN: Recovery Express offers a comprehensive set of data recovery options that are easy to purchase, implement and manage.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about Recovery Express at ibm.com.


Faster, more cost effective methods for increasing business productivity
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Dave Brown. These days, working together with key players both inside and outside your organization is critical to business growth and innovation. One company is offering small and medium sized businesses an affordable resource. Lotus' Eve Hofert:

HOFERT: Lotus Quickr software provides team spaces where members can use calendars, discussion forums, wikis, blogs and other project tools to help increase productivity. Small and medium sized businesses can stop worrying about losing important information.

ANCHOR LEAD: Hofert says team members in different time zones can easily access, share and manage documents in real time from the same applications.

HOFERT: There are pre-built templates designed to address specific business needs, making it easy to get started right away. And they can be customized for more tailored initiatives as well.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about Lotus Quickr software at ibm.com.


New industry standard helps retailers protect customer data
ANCHOR LEAD: In today's digital world, maintaining secure databases for your business is more crucial than ever before. Dave Brown has more on one company that offers small and medium sized retailers a new resource to help protect their customers' personal data.

DAVE: Technology Now - I'm Dave Brown. These days, shoppers' credit cardholder information is at risk if retailers' databases are not protected from hackers. As a result, merchants are facing a new strict industry standard. IBM's Gail Stremlo:

STREMLO: The new Payment Card Industry standard requires retailers to use firewalls and encrypt all sensitive data that will cross public networks. Retailers must also continually test their data privacy safeguards.

DAVE: Stremlo says retailers need to comply and pass credit card company audit standards, or face fines.

STREMLO: IBM Internet Security Systems is a provider for this new standard to help retail businesses of any size easily manage standards compliance and testing.

DAVE: Learn more about retail solutions for midsized business at ibm.com.


Improve efficiencies with preconfigured SAP industry solutions
ANCHOR LEAD: Technology Now, I'm Kyle Stevens. Drive business success without a huge investment in time or money. New solutions tailored to more than a dozen industries are now available to help small and medium sized business with limited resources succeed. IBM's Joe DeBella:

DEBELLA: IBM Express Industry Solutions for SAP integrates your financials, operations and supply chain to create a consolidated view of your business. This dashboard with integrated information helps businesses to increase efficiencies, innovate and adapt to marketplace changes.

ANCHOR LEAD: DeBella says that designed with SAP, these scalable solutions are engineered specifically for small and medium sized businesses in industries such as Industrial manufacturing, Life Sciences, Wholesale Distribution and Food and Beverage.

DEBELLA: As a pre-configured solution, it's delivered at a lower cost, with quicker implementation than traditional methods, making it more affordable and accessible.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about industry-specific SAP solutions for medium businesses at ibm.com.


Simplify security with remotely managed services
ANCHOR LEAD: These days, spam, viruses, worms and hackers can directly impact your company's financial health and damage customer relationships. IBM's Stuart Bilick.

BILICK: There's actually risk in having too many technology solutions and products in place to resolve security threats. Having multiple, different security products creates data silos which increases complexity, reduces flexibility and can create reporting problems. IBM's Remotely Managed Security Services helps small and medium sized businesses simplify security with an all-in-one integrated solution.

ANCHOR LEAD: Bilick says companies with limited time and resources often find a do-it yourself approach too difficult and costly to manage.

BILICK: Today, the threat is constant and unyielding. Businesses using remote security services can assure customers, partners, investors and regulators they've done all they can to safely maintain critical business information.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about IBM's Remotely Managed Security Services at ibm.com.


Patient care of the future: Innovative new technologies are improving healthcare
ANCHOR LEAD: For Business Sense, I'm Mark Chase. Healthcare is a chief concern for many Americans, but the World Health Organization ranks the US 37th overall in health system performance. Patient care typically takes place at small and medium sized hospitals, and those hospitals are getting help from one company.

These days, innovative technologies are seen as necessities for helping small and medium sized hospitals better meet the growing needs of patients and improving patient care.

IBM's KEITH MYER: IBM is driving innovation in the healthcare industry to help give patients more convenience, choices and greater accessibility to healthcare. Patients who monitor heart disease or diabetes will be able to share vital information with doctors instantly from home in the future.

ANCHOR LEAD: IBM's Keith Myer says new hospital bracelets containing medical information on computer chips will give doctors instant access to critical patient information such as drug allergy warnings.

MYER: Our flexible and affordable technology is designed to increase efficiencies so that healthcare providers can focus on the delivery of patient care while maintaining safety and security.

ANCHOR LEAD: Learn more about innovative healthcare solutions at ibm.com. That's Business Sense from IBM.


Affordable inventory and operations control for midsized wholesale businesses
ANCHOR LEAD: Are you worried that your small or medium sized business can't compete with larger, more technically competent companies? Mark Chace has more on a new business solution.

CHACE: For Business Sense, I'm Mark Chace. These days, the ability of businesses to respond dynamically and quickly to any shift in the marketplace is critical. One company is offering small and medium sized businesses a new solution designed to help them succeed. IBM's Paul St. Germain explains.

ST. GERMAIN: Pre-packaged at an affordable cost, IBM's Express Wholesale Distribution Solution gives small and medium sized businesses the power to potentially improve inventory control, create operational efficiencies and enhance collaboration with suppliers, employees and customers.

CHACE: This solution's adaptability means that you pay only once and your investment for the future is protected even after your business expands.

ST. GERMAIN: Working with SAP, we offer small and medium sized companies the flexibility they need to grow their businesses through the SAP All-in-One Solution.

CHACE: Learn more about Express Wholesale Distribution Solution at ibm.com. That's Business Sense from IBM. I'm Mark Chace.


Managed hosting provides Web presence, without the headaches
ANCHOR LEAD: In today's digital world, maintaining a fast and reliable Web site for your business is more crucial than ever before. Mark Chace has more on one company that offers small and medium sized businesses a new resource to help give them a competitive advantage.

CHACE: For Business Sense, I'm Mark Chace. Most small and medium sized businesses know their company Web site directly impacts customer loyalty and sales, but sometimes have difficulty managing it while focusing on other key aspects of their business. IBM's Leah Wooten explains.

WOOTEN: The IBM Managed Hosting service helps small and medium sized businesses improve their Web presence by providing flexibility, scalability and a secure, stable environment.

CHACE: The new service helps to reduce up-front costs and no hardware or software is required.

WOOTEN: We leverage our expertise and industry leading technologies to deliver superior Web site performance while allowing small and medium sized businesses to focus on growth and innovation in their business.

CHACE: Learn more about IBM Managed Hosting at ibm.com. That's Business Sense from IBM. I'm Mark Chace.


Fine-tuning your IT strategy for a competitive edge
ANCHOR LEAD: Small and medium sized businesses often worry about gaining a competitive edge to win market share. T. K. Anderson has more on solutions now available to those companies.

REPORTER: Business Sense, I'm T. K. Anderson. Making the right technology choices for small and medium sized businesses is more important than ever before. IBM's Steve Ferencie says their new solution called, Express IT Strategy Assessment, helps businesses prioritize their Information Technology investments and make critical decisions.

FERENCIE: A key to a successful business is having an IT strategy that supports your operational and financial goals. That can be difficult when employees are busy with day-to-day operations and ongoing projects. Now, small and medium sized businesses have access to IBM consultants who can help.

REPORTER: Ferencie says IBM consultants quickly assess a company's IT environment and investments.

FERENCIE: IBM Express IT Strategy Assessment will help document technology gaps, create a personalized roadmap of IT initiatives and ensure those initiatives support business goals.

REPORTER: Learn more about the IBM IT Strategy Assessment at ibm.com. That's Business Sense, from IBM. I'm T. K. Anderson.


Improve your customer service
ANCHOR LEAD: Many consumers shop at small and medium sized businesses everyday. One company is offering these businesses a solution to keep their customers happy. Bobbi Owens has the story.

REPORTER: Technology Now, I'm Bobbi Owens. More commonly known as cash registers, point-of-sale systems today can do far more for businesses than ring up merchandise. IBM's Alan Outlaw.

OUTLAW: Small and medium sized businesses have many priorities from making sure the right products are on shelves at the right time to training new employees. It's sometimes difficult to accomplish all of this with limited time and resources. IBM's SurePOS 500 point-of-sale system helps these businesses achieve their goals.

REPORTER: IBM Executive says the Niagara Parks Commission needed a reliable point-of-sale system to provide them with timely data on sales throughout the entire park.

OUTLAW: The IBM SurePOS 500 point-of-sale system along with Aloha software, from Systems Technology Group, gives managers at the Niagara Parks Commission the information they need to make better decisions in real-time and exceed customer demands.

REPORTER: For more information, go to IBM SurePOS solutions. That's Technology Now, from IBM. I'm Bobbi Owens.


Dispose of your old computer equipment safely
ANCHOR LEAD: These days, it's more important than ever before to dispose of old computer equipment safely. One company is helping small and medium sized businesses to securely remove outdated computers while helping them to save time and money. T. K. Anderson has the story.

REPORTER: Technology Now, I'm T.K. Anderson. Most business owners know when to retire everything from laptops to servers, but don't know the most effective way to remove it from their offices. IBM's Dorothy Ward:

WARD: Business owners who dispose of old computer equipment themselves are at a risk of not properly protecting their data. IBM Express Asset Recovery Solutions helps small and medium sized business to avoid that risk with a secure and environmentally safe solution.

REPORTER: Dorothy Ward says that IBM doesn't require any minimum quantities and it can even make all the shipping arrangements.

WARD: (Dorothy Ward) That's what small and medium sized business owners want - simplicity, security and value so they can focus on growing their business. IBM even pays for marketable computer equipment to help offset the overall disposal costs.

REPORTER: For more on IBM Express Asset Recovery Solutions, go to ibm.com/expressadvantage/insights. That's Technology Now, from IBM. I'm T. K. Anderson.


Improve cash flow with Express Spend Management
ANCHOR LEAD: Money in. Money out. Sounds like basic accounting, but one company is helping small and medium sized businesses find new ways to cut costs and improve cash flow. (Reporter name) has the story.

REPORTER: Technology Now, I'm T.K. Anderson. With competition at an all-time high, today's small and medium sized businesses want to get smarter about how they buy virtually everything, from cell phones to staples. IBM's new Spend Management solution helps companies make the most of their money. IBM's Charles Vianey:

VIANEY: Anyone who's ever run a business knows the importance of having lower costs and better cash flow. But unfortunately few truly understand how much they are spending, and on what.

REPORTER: Charles Vianey says IBM is helping companies manage their spending with a solution packaged and priced just for small and medium sized businesses.

VIANEY: IBM's Express Spend Management solution helps businesses see where it makes sense to increase or decrease spending so they can deliver resources where they're needed most.

REPORTER: For more on IBM Express Spend Management Solutions go to ibm.com/expressadvantage/insights. That's Technology Now, from IBM. I'm T.K. Anderson.


Get that competitive edge
ANCHOR LEAD: Do you have a small or medium sized businesslooking for a new competitive edge? In today's real-time business climate, getting the right information and getting it right away is more crucial than ever. Matt Kelly has more on a new resource now available that may make all the difference.

REPORTER: For Business Sense, I'm Matt Kelly. Owners of small to mid-size businesses often find making technology decisions difficult. One company though, is dedicated to helping them prioritize needs and gain a competitive advantage. It's all part of a new business concierge service that features real people giving real answers. IBM's Steve Scott:

SCOTT: The IBM Express Advantage Concierge is designed exclusively for small and medium sized businesses and provides easy access to the power and business resources of IBM and its Business Partner network.

REPORTER: Scott says those resources include hundreds of products, services and solutions that are highly functional, reliable and cost efficient.

SCOTT: Businesses that call the concierge service are connected with a skilled representative that will personally help resolve their business and technology challenges.

REPORTER: To contact the IBM Express Advantage Concierge, please call 1-877-IBM-ACCESS. That's Business Sense from IBM. I'm Matt Kelly.


Protection from online attacks
ANCHOR LEAD: How do you protect your small or mid-sized business from the threat of online attacks? Consumer Focus tells us in this report.

REPORTER: Last month, the Zotob virus dealt a crippling blow to some of the world's largest companies. Now, small and mid-sized businesses are wondering if their IT networks stand a chance against the threat of viruses, spam and more. IBM's Mike Riegel:

RIEGEL: More than 90% of all virus outbreaks start with e-mail. Forty to 60% of e-mail sent is spam and a quarter contains pornographic content. This keeps small and mid-sized businesses from being productive and competitive - and damages their reputations in the process.

REPORTER: Riegel recommends that even the smallest of businesses can afford to implement "big business" strategies when it comes to email security.

RIEGEL: Antivirus and anti-spam programs are extremely cost-effective. If you're looking for added protection, you can use an outside vendor to manage email security allowing you to focus on core business operations.

REPORTER: Learn more about email security. That's Consumer Focus, from IBM.


Disaster recovery and continuity
ANCHOR LEAD: Are you a small business owner? If so, then you're familiar with the challenges of managing your information technology. Technology Now reports:

REPORTER: This year's catastrophic hurricanes have left thousands of small and mid-sized businesses devastated. As a result, many are adding the loss of valuable data to their list of grievances. IBM's Damian Walch:

WALCH: One of the biggest challenges is how to reclaim all of this lost business data. IBM is helping many of these businesses implement technologies, such as our DR550 Express long-term storage solution, to help recover and protect data from future disasters.

REPORTER: One company that has benefited from this technology in the face of disaster is Louisiana-based Oreck Vacuum Cleaners. Oreck's Mike Evanson:

EVANSON: Every company should have a strategy for business continuity and disaster recovery. Katrina dealt us a terrible blow but it could have been much worse. With the help of IBM, we have resumed our IT operations so we can get back to business.

REPORTER: For more on IBM Solutions go to ibm.com/businesscenter/securitysolutions. That's Technology Now, from IBM.


Innovative financing for small and medium business
ANCHOR LEAD: Are you worried that your small business can't compete with larger, more technically competent companies? Technology Now has some tips for you.

REPORTER: Since the mid-90's, technology has become a cornerstone for corporate success. Companies can no longer afford not to be tech-savvy. This creates a catch-22 for many small and mid-size businesses. IBM's Dorothy Ward:

WARD: The marketplace requires these businesses to be just as technically-competent as the multi-million dollar corporations. Obviously the problem here is money. How does a smaller company find money to pay for IT solutions that help them innovate and compete with larger competitors?

REPORTER: According to Ward, the answer lies in Innovative Financing.

WARD: Small and mid-sized companies need not just IT solutions; but a way to pay for them. This is leading to a whole new host of financing options for this sector. A prime example is IBM's Financing Advantage program. You get the entire solution you need now, but pay for it over time with the cost savings it delivers.

REPORTER: For more on IBM Financing, go to ibm.com/businesscenter/financing. That's Technology Now, from IBM.


Retail Point-of-Sale solutions boost sales and productivity
ANCHOR LEAD: What's the worst part about holiday shopping? The crowds? Trying to find the perfect gift? Ask anyone waiting at a cashier and they're likely to say... the long checkout lines. Technology Now tells us what one retailer is doing to shorten those lines - and give customers some cheer.

REPORTER: When it comes to holiday shopping, the name of the game is waiting. It's such a source of customer frustration that smaller retailers like New Jersey-based Gro-Rite, a family-owned garden center, have made reducing checkout times a top priority. Gro-Rite's Ken Vande Vrede:

VREDE: Slow checkout times can be a serious problem. If the checkout line is twenty people deep, we lose customers. We earn seventy percent of our revenue during our peak shopping season, so we just can't afford to give that business to a Home Depot or Lowe's.

REPORTER: Gro-Rite recently turned to IBM to help speed up their checkout process. New IBM touch screen point-of-sale terminals keep the lines moving with little or no downtime.

VREDE: We've seen an eight to ten percent increase in peak quarter sales and a twenty percent gain in productivity. And all of that translates into more loyal customers.

REPORTER: For more on IBM's retail solutions, go to ibm.com/businesscenter/pointofsale. That's Technology Now, from IBM.


IBM helping integrate healthcare resources
ANCHOR LEAD: Heart disease affects more Americans each year than any other disease. While diagnosis and treatment of the condition typically takes place at small to mid-sized hospitals, they're getting some help from one giant company. Technology Now reports:

REPORTER: For cardiologists, X-rays and out of date digital images are old school. Today, technology solutions are seen as a necessity for saving hospitals' time and resources. One company is helping hospitals do just that. IBM's Armida Newell:

NEWELL: With IBM's new Express Storage Platform, cardiologists are now able to have 24x7 access to a patient's images, making a diagnosis when it matters most. This new system helps shorten patient reporting and billing delays, while increasing productivity for the physician and the health system.

REPORTER: The new platform integrates a patient's medical history and cardiac images into an all-in-one electronic medical record that can be shared across a hospital or among specialists across the country in real time.

NEWELL: These advances are increasing efficiencies for small and mid-sized hospitals and also positively impacting patient care, as rapid diagnosis and treatment of heart disease can ultimately save lives.

REPORTER: Visit ibm.com/expressadvantage/medicalimaging. That's Technology Now, from IBM.