IBM Plays Against Microsoft's Applications Slide.

Microsoft Corp's slide into business applications is irresistible, and it is unnerving ISV partners who are turning to alternative platform providers including IBM Corp.

That's according to Scott Hebner, vice president of marketing and strategy for IBM's ISV and developer relations - speaking at IBM's Rational user conference in Dallas, Texas - who said partners are unwilling to compete against Microsoft.

Hebner told ComputerWire approximately 300 projects using IBM's DB2 Express in 2003 came from a Microsoft SQL Server heritage.

"It means they are moving from SQL Server or supporting both," Hebner said. Hebner claimed 900 ISVs joined IBM's PartnerWorld Industry Networks during the last four months.

"We have a pull because IBM is a resurging company, but Microsoft has also been pushing them [ISVs]," he said. Hebner drew a parallel between Microsoft's entry into business applications, through the Great Plains acquisition, with database giant Oracle Corp's transition into applications during the 1990s.

"A lot of ISVs decided to move from Oracle's database to DB2 because they didn't want to compete with a partner," said Hebner. He said platform vendors moving into applications ultimately consolidate and expand their presence, meaning they come into competition with partners. "It's a slippery slope - once you get into the applications business you can't get out," he said.

IBM makes great play of the Microsoft threat to help win ISV support. IBM provides DB2, WebSphere, Notes and Domino, which it positions as platform products for ISVs to build on, rather than compete directly against ISVs by entering the applications business. IBM claims between 60,000 and 90,000 partners.