Datapower's application-oriented networking devices are now available as part of IBM Global Services SOA Management Practice. IBM-Datapower agreement offers 24x7 global support and four-hour hardware replacement.

DataPower announced that it has become part of the IBM Global Services SOA Management Practice, under an agreement by IBM to resell DataPower’s leading AON devices. Under the terms of this reseller agreement, IBM Global Services will offer its customers DataPower's Web services solutions. IBM Global Services is also providing 7x24 onsite support, to joint DataPower/IBM customers, including four-hour hardware replacement worldwide.

DataPower's AON devices add security, service virtualization, and service-level management infrastructures to IBM Global Services’ SOA Management Practice portfolio. "As organizations move to service-oriented architectures (SOA) for improved business process, agility and IT efficiency, their ultimate success requires pervasive controls, the highest security and service assurances," said Michael Liebow, vice president of Web Services and SOA.

DataPower has been partnering with IBM on a number of levels. For example, DataPower and IBM have integrated DataPower's XML-aware networking layer into enterprise IT infrastructure. For example, working with IBM's Tivoli Access Management (TAM) system the DataPower's XS40 XML Security Gateway is able act as a policy enforcement point for Web service access control established in TAMs.

The companies have also integrated DataPower's award-winning XS40 XML Security Gateway with IBM's new identity management solution, IBM's Tivoli Federated Identity Manager.

In June, DataPower announced a New XML-Aware Blade Based On IBM eServer BladeServer T For Telco Sector; and IBM has evaluated the functionality and performance of DataPower's XML-aware networking devices.