[_Jim]

what jobs functions at IBM aren't viewed as a commodity? Right now, its the executive suite, sales and marketing, legal and intellectual property, program management.

How many BD (business divisions) does IBM currently have?

I think you've only scratched the surface as far as job classifications go at that behemoth known as IBM ...

IBM, IMO is not near the leader that they a) once were and b) could have been - given a plethora of bad decisions throughout their history; like a lot of businesses, they made a lot of decisions though their history with just the smallest percentage more right then their competition during those years ...

[oceanview]

give them time, this offshoring thing is just starting to get rolling, give it 5-10 more years. those classifications cover alot of positions, and when they can get Indian program managers to cover the needs of their US customers adequately, watch out.