IBMs new initiative is its impressive Information On Demand (IOD) portfolio. This has new software and accompanying professional services that are designed to help customers implement an Information Agenda. The Information Agenda approach from IBM improves an organization's ability to share and distribute trusted information across all applications and processes. This enables businesses to manage their data efficiently and helps them gain a deeper insight into that data. Most businesses adopt a planned approach to direct their business applications and processes. However, the data and information that supports these processes is seldom shared across the organization. IBM says that access to information and data is often restricted, owing to data being tightly attached with the applications. This limits insights into the data, thereby affecting business performance. In order to help companies to overcome this problem, IBM is providing several software tools, including InfoSphere Information Analyzer and Rational Data Architect, and services that are designed to make businesses manage their data in a competent manner. New IBM Foundation software tools will guide and help enterprises find, analyze, and manage the information with the help of Competency Centers that will assist businesses in building internal expertise. Information Agenda will help businesses create strategies for improved business performance. This initiative by IBM has added strategic value to its portfolio thereby giving them an edge in the industry.