According to the report (1), IBM was the leading software vendor with a 31.5 percent market share, nearly double that of its closest competitor. According to Gartner, IBM grew 8.1 percent in 2009, almost three times faster than the overall market. The worldwide application infrastructure and middleware software market grew at 2.8 percent to more than $15.9 billion, according to Gartner.

The news marks the sixth consecutive year that IBM has been named the number one share holder in the worldwide application infrastructure and middleware software market according to industry analysts.

Besides its overall lead, according to the Gartner report, IBM holds the number one market share position in key submarkets growing faster then the overall IT market.  

For example, the Business Process Management Suite (BPMS) segment grew at 15.2 percent in 2009, Gartner said. IBM was named the number one vendor in BPM software with a 23.9 percent share -- more than double its closest competitor. BPM software enables companies to develop and implement processes that help their businesses be more agile and grow.  

Gartner reported that IBM continues to be number one in other growing and key areas including Enterprise Service Bus Suites, Middleware Appliances, Message Oriented Middleware, Transaction Processing Monitor and Portals markets.

IBM's continued market share leadership in middleware has been a key reason for the company's strong growth.

"The results of the Gartner report clearly illustrate the success of IBM's focus on areas that deliver higher value and better business outcomes to our customers," said Craig Hayman, General Manager IBM WebSphere software. "IBM's middleware portfolio is a critical reason for the success of our clients in driving Smarter Planet solutions into the marketplace."

For more information on IBM's application infrastructure and middleware software portfolio visit: www.ibm.com/websphere.

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