ARMONK, N.Y., Feb. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the winners of its 12th annual IBM Beacon Awards, which honor Business Partners, globally, for their information technology excellence, commitment to skills attainment, industry expertise and innovative solutions based on IBM technology and services.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090416/IBMLOGO)

Winners of the Beacon Awards are selected by leading industry journalists, analysts, and IBM executives for 27 award areas spanning Smarter Industries, Smarter Computing, Smarter Solutions, and Technical Excellence. The winning solutions showcase IBM Business Partner skills and expertise in developing innovative approaches to solving business challenges and helping clients grow.

"The IBM Beacon Award winners and finalists are IBM Business Partners who have delivered unique and innovative solutions that raise the standard for business excellence and deliver client value with industry-specific transformative solutions," said Mark Hennessy, general manager, IBM Global Business Partners and Midmarket. "These awards reflect the breadth of our commitment to helping IBM Business Partners build skills, support clients, and pursue new opportunities for profitable growth worldwide."

Beacon Award winners receive industry recognition, increased marketplace visibility, and promotional support for their firm and solutions in recognition of their achievements. Beacon Award winners and finalists were announced at the PartnerWorld Leadership Conference 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. More than 1,500 Business Partners and IBM executives from around the globe attended the conference.

IBM Choice Awards

For a third year, IBM honored Business Partners from each geography who have demonstrated client value and business excellence in delivering IBM-based solutions. The IBM Choice Awards are given to Business Partners who exhibit IBM values in all client interactions and achieve common business goals, resulting in superior customer satisfaction and mutually significant business impact. The IBM Choice Awards were selected by an IBM panel and are not based on nominations by Business Partners.

Winners of the 2012 IBM Beacon Awards

Beacon Laureate Award for Technical Excellence: Sirius Computer Solutions (US)

Beacon Awards for Smarter Industries

    --  Best Industry Solution for Banking: aurionPro Solutions Limited (India)
    --  Best Industry Solution for Communications: Comptel (Finland)
    --  Best Industry Solution for Energy & Utilities: PHOENIX IT SOLUTIONS
        LIMITED (India)
    --  Best Industry Solution for Government: Esri (US)
    --  Best Industry Solution for Heathcare: SVA GmbH (Germany)
    --  Best Industry Solution for Insurance: StoneRiver, Inc. (US)
    --  Best Industry Solution for Retail: Sowre Srl (Italy)

Beacon Awards for Smarter Computing

    --  Cloud Computing Innovation - Cloud Builder: Flagship Solutions Group,
        Inc. (US)
    --  Cloud Computing Innovation - Cloud Application Provider: Numius
        (Belgium)
    --  Cloud Computing Innovation - Cloud Services Solution Provider: Bossers &
        Cnossen (Netherlands)
    --  Outstanding Business Analytics Innovation: Forcea NV/SA (Belgium)
    --  Outstanding Information Management Innovation: TerraEchos Inc. (US)
    --  Outstanding Systems Storage Solution: Solutions II (US)
    --  Outstanding Optimized Solutions on Enterprise Servers for Business
        Innovation and Economic Benefit: Mainline Information Systems (US)
    --  Outstanding Optimized Workload Solution - System x and BladeCenter:
        Centiq Ltd. (UK)
    --  Outstanding Optimized Workload Solution - Power Systems: CIBER, Inc (US)

Beacon Awards for Smarter Solutions

    --  Outstanding Business Agility Solution: Prolifics (US)
    --  Outstanding Business Transformation through Becoming a Social Business:
        Sogeti (France)
    --  Outstanding Integrated Service Management Solution: GC System a.s.
        (Czech Republic)
    --  Outstanding Security Solution: SecurIT (Belgium)
    --  Outstanding Services Solutions with Global Technology Services: niu
        Solutions (UK)
    --  Outstanding Software Innovation: CM-Logic Ltd. (UK)
    --  Outstanding Integrated Hardware, Software and Services Innovation: PROFI
        Engineering Systems AG (Germany)
    --  Outstanding Competitive Solution: Champion Solutions Group (US)
    --  Outstanding Solution for Midsize Businesses: VAI (US)

Beacon Awards for Technical Excellence

    --  Outstanding Technical Excellence - Major Markets: TOPPAN M&I LTD.
        (Japan)
    --  Outstanding Technical Excellence - Growth Markets: COMAS, Inc. (Korea)

Winners of the 2012 IBM Choice Awards

    --  Top Business Partner - North America: Dynamix Group, Inc. (US)
    --  Top Midmarket Business Partner - North America: Chouinard & Myhre (US)
    --  High-Performing New Business Partner - North America: Technologent (US)
    --  Top Business Partner - Southwest Europe: Informática El Corte Ingles,
        S.A. (Spain)
    --  Top Midmarket Business Partner - Southwest Europe: Hardis (France)
    --  Top High-Performing New Business Partner - Southwest Europe: ATLANTICA
        SISTEMI SRL (Italy)
    --  Top Business Partner - Growth Markets: Storage Technology Services (Pty)
        Ltd. (South Africa)
    --  Most Outstanding Distributor - Growth Markets: Digital China Holdings
        Limited (China)
    --  High-Performing New Business Partner - Growth Markets: UNIOne Inc.
        (Korea)
    --  Top Business Partner - Northeast Europe: Logicalis UK Limited (UK)
    --  Top Midmarket Business Partner - Northeast Europe: WAGNER AG
        (Switzerland)
    --  High-Performing New Business Partner - Northeast Europe: Softline
        Systems & Services GmbH (Germany)
    --  Top Business Partner - Japan: Nippon Information and Communication
        Corporation (Japan)
    --  Top Midmarket Business Partner - Japan: Japan Business Computer
        Corporation (Japan)
    --  Top Distributor - Japan: iGUAZU Corporation (Japan)

Contact:

Lizette Kodama
IBM, Media Relations
cell: 646-675-0750

SOURCE IBM