IBM

IBM Software casts a long shadow in the software world, trailing only Microsoft in total sales. The company's software business offers products for tasks such as database management, enterprise application integration, security, and application development. IBM Software also provides collaboration and communication applications with its Lotus product line, as well as its Tivoli line of storage and security software and services. The global strength of IBM's massive hardware and services businesses continues to reinforce the growth of its software products, which account for 20% of Big Blue's total sales.

The company has also moved to consolidate its disparate software operations more tightly within its IBM Software Group, offering five major product groups: information management software (DB2); collaboration software (Lotus); systems development software (Rational); systems management software (Tivoli); and application server and integration software (WebSphere).

Cisco Systems

Cisco Systems routes packets and routs competitors with equal efficiency. Dominating the market for IP-based networking equipment, the company provides routers and switches used to direct data, voice, and video traffic. Other products include remote access servers, IP telephony equipment, optical networking components, Internet conferencing systems, set-top boxes, and network service and security systems. It sells its products primarily to large enterprises and telecommunications service providers, but it also markets products designed for small businesses and consumers through its Linksys division.