Getting started

My first impression of IBM was dominated by the large building ahead of me. When I entered an impressive reception was the first thing I saw. After I logged in at the reception I was welcomed and toured by S. Dierckens. He showed me the way and made sure all the paperwork was done.

After signing a lot of documents, I got an access pass witch allows me in the building without supervision. I also got a ThinkPad, a laptop that allows me to connect to the internal network and the internet. First of all I had to learn how to use IBM software like IBM Notes, an organizer for mails, meetings, tasks, etc... They also use a handy communication tool: Sametime, an Instant Messenger that links everybody in the company.

The first task I got is the writing of a concurrent analysis between the IBM public sector website and the concurating websites. These competitors are mainly HP, Accenture, Unisys and also Siemens, the company where I already worked in the marketing and communication section.

The days start early and getting up that early isn’t that easy, but I hope it will be worth it and that I’ll have an interesting experience of doing my stage there.