July 9, 2004
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20549

The following individuals, whose signatures appear below, and the successors
to their positions, are hereby authorized to sign and file on my behalf all
forms required by the U.S. securities laws, including without limitation
Form 3, Form 4, Form 5 and Form 144.
                A. Bonzani                ____________/s/__________________

                M. J. Busman                ____________/s/__________________

                M. Sladek                ____________/s/__________________

                C. Gregory                ____________/s/__________________

These individuals may further delegate this authority and this authorization
shall remain in effect for as long as I am an executive officer of IBM.
                                                        Very truly yours,
                                                        /s/
                                                        Timothy S. Shaughnessy

cc:  New York Stock Exchange