Rational Software Corporation provides integrated solutions that automate the software development process. Its integrated solutions include unified tools, software engineering practices, and services that allow customers to develop and deploy software. These solutions help customers organize, automate, and simplify the software development process. The company’s business applications automate Web, e-commerce, and core business processes, such as sales force automation, order entry and processing, billing and collections, finance and accounting, distribution, inventory management, customer relationship management, and human resources management. Its solutions help customers build a variety of commercial and custom software products distributed in business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets. Its software products and systems include software that is produced as a product or as part of a product strategy. The company’s solutions help customers build real-time and embedded software that drives the intelligence of personal digital assistants, mobile phones and telecommunication equipment, medical devices, automobiles, industrial automation equipment, and process control systems. The company markets and sells its products and services directly through its field sales organizations, the World Wide Web, and indirectly through channels, such as value-added resellers and distributors. As of February 21, 2003, Rational Software Corp. is a subsidiary of International Business Machines Corp.