Big Blue hails partner development

Collaboration shaping up to be a major theme for IBM resellers in second half

Sam Palmisano

The economy is “on the cusp of a new phase of growth” and partners are critical to IBM’s success, according to chief executive Sam Palmisano.

Addressing partners via a webcast, instead of at the usual Partnership Leadership Conference which was cancelled this year, Palmisano revealed that Big Blue spends $2.5bn on its partner ecosystem annually.

Devoting the majority of his speech to the vendor’s ‘Smarter Planet’ methodology, Palmisano revealed a slew of ways in which IBM’s 100,000-strong partner network can improve skills and collaborate on projects.

“Even in this climate, businesses are still willing to invest in IT solutions,” he said.

“The Smarter Planet initiative provides IBM partners with new education programmes on how to win that business.”

Rich Hume, general manager at IBM Global Business Partners, used the webcast to unveil the firm’s new PartnerWorld Communities social networking system.

IBM has also expanded online training with the launch of the Business Partner Development Series education and networking forum, which offers users more than 60 classes.