IBM Offers 'No Charge for Freight' on Asset Recovery Solutions for Rest of 2006

GARTNER IT & Software Asset Management Summit -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced details of its latest promotion to make it easier for companies to safely dispose of their unused IT assets. Available immediately through December 15, 2006, IBM will eliminate transportation costs on IBM and non-IBM PC notebooks, desktops and Intel based servers for clients who enter into selected new IBM asset recovery services contracts. Assets must be returned to IBM by December 31, 2006.

With almost 85 million PCs becoming obsolete yearly, one analyst study suggests that less than 37% of commercial entities of all sizes have a formal PC recycling and end-of-life policy (IDC "Trash to Treasure: Old PC Equipment Poses Risks, Opportunities," Oct. 2005). IBM Global Asset Recovery Services receives upwards of 20,000 old computers every week. The company resells, refurbishes, dismantles, or recycles the components, returning less than 2% into landfills. In 2005, IBM sold nearly $1.6 billion in pre-owned equipment.

"This program is targeted to companies still hesitant to embrace the benefits of asset recovery solutions because of costs," said Af Assur, Vice President, IBM Global Asset Recovery Services, Americas. "IBM's Asset Recovery Solutions provide a definitive solution to customers seeking to minimize their disposal costs and environmental and data security risks, while at the same time, maximizing their asset value."

For over 20 years, IBM has been a proven leader in providing asset management solutions for its customers worldwide. IBM has built up proven processes that comply with local, state, regional and country-specific environmental laws and regulations. In addition, IBM's buyback services provide customers with the ability to maximize the value of their marketable assets while minimizing overall disposal costs. A large network of retail and wholesale sales channels allows IBM to offer optimal buyback rates for these assets. IBM also provides disk overwrite services and offers a single web interface for customers to get immediate prices for their assets. Worldwide, in 2005, IBM's Global Asset Recovery Services (GARS) program recycled and refurbished nearly 60 metric tons of IT gear, sending less than 1.5% to landfills.

The IBM no charge for freight offer is available directly to clients in the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada contracting for our revenue share or fixed priced take out offerings and shipping a minimum of 10 assets from one location per shipment. Other restrictions apply. For more information, please visit the IBM Global Asset Recovery Solutions website: http://www-03.ibm.com/financing/us/recovery/nocharge_tran.html

Eligible Products

• IBM and non-IBM PC Notebooks, Desktops, Intel based servers.


• Displays and printers are not eligible for this offer, although these devices can be included in pickup with other PC assets that meet the minimum requirement of 10 systems (per pickup location). One display or printer per qualifying PC will be allowed for the no-charge promotional offer. For example, if the client has 15 qualifying PCs, they can also return 15 displays OR 10 displays and 5 printers.


• Selected equipment must be in good working order.


• Available for Fixed Price Take-out & Revenue Share Asset Recovery Solutions. This offer is not available for clients seeking our scrap services.
  

About the Gartner IT & Software Asset Management Summit
Gartner IT & Software Asset Management Summit 2006 is the most focused event of its kind designed to help enterprises develop a "built-to-last" IT asset management program by addressing operation efficiency issues, compliance risks and strategic alignment. Gartner IT & Software Asset Management Summit hits the critical spot between real-world best practices and tactical to practical advice related to compliance, sourcing, ITAM tools and vendor selection, hardware and software acquisition, contract negotiations, financing, life-cycle planning and cost management. Additional information is available at www.gartner.com/us/itamsummit