IBM has today increased the number of products in its Express Advantage range, adding hardware, software, virtualisation, storage and security solutions that are designed specifically with mid-sized firms in mind.

The enterprise IT giant has released Rational Quality Manager Express, a centralised test management tool that offers web 2.0 features to improve collaboration and communication. IBM said the software would help firms to customise their test planning, construction, deployment and execution, and includes workflow control and a number of business metrics. All information is delivered in real-time allowing for better analysis of results.

"IBM's hardware, software and services offerings for the midmarket provide business partners with cost-effective solutions to help streamline business processes, gain information insights, employ new business models and secure more reliable access to critical resources," said Marc Dupaquier, general manager, IBM Global Midmarket. "The addition of Rational Quality Manager Express to the Express Advantage portfolio will enable them to significantly increase their operational efficiencies, employee productivity, customer service and competitive advantage to support growth."

IBM also announced developer solutions that it said would help its partner firms better serve their customers. IBM's Solutions Builder Express has been extended and now includes a Solutions Consultant tool, which helps developer firms to analyse infrastructure in order to solve problems or make enhancements.

Also just released is a Software Assembly Toolkit that IBM said would help in the development process. By assembling a number of middeware software packages, the toolkit should speed up deployment times, the vendor said.

Security tools for the midmarket are also on IBM's agenda. Recently it launched its Rational AppScan Express Edition, which lets firms analyse internal and external threats, increasing their own protection while also aiding compliance with legislation such as that governing the payment card industry.

Included in this is Express Multi-Function Security, a bundle of tools offering protection against network threats. The firm has also partnered with the Aberdeen Group to create an online security assessment tool.