IBM unveils Cloud Computing Specialty
Software giant further cements its cloud mantra at Partner World conference with launch of dedicated initiative aimed at Business Partners
IBM kicked off its Partner World extravaganza in Florida today with a barrage of cloud announcements.
Specifically, Big Blue launched its Cloud Computing Specialty, designed to create a single programme to develop an ecosystem of partners working together to offer a range of cloud computing services and technologies.
The news follows a recent IBM DeveloperWorks survey of more than 2,000 IT professionals globally, which revealed 91 per cent of partners believed cloud computing will overtake on-premises computing as the primary way organisations acquire IT by 2015.
IBM’s Cloud Computing Specialty will support five types of business partner: Cloud Application Providers – those that deliver applications via a subscription model such as SaaS; Cloud Builders – partners that design, build and manage clients’ cloud needs and integrate them with existing infrastructure and public, private and hybrid clouds; Cloud Infrastructure Providers – those that provide a public cloud infrastructure or platform-as-a-service, Cloud Services Solution Providers – those that resell multiple public cloud services and offer complementary services such as training and integration; and Cloud Technology Providers – those that provide the tools, services and technologies such as cloud management, billing, metering and monitoring.
Speaking to CRN, Jacqui Davey, vice president of business partners at IBM UK and Ireland, said: “The cloud market opportunity will double in the next four years and it is mainstream now, so this Specialty will allow our partners to have different capabilities and competencies, but still be under the IBM Cloud Computing umbrella.
“The competency is open to all partners and there is no limit on the numbers that can apply to become part of the initiative,” she said.
Davey said Big Blue will offer partners a range of sales and enablement resources to help them build, market and sell cloud computing solutions. This includes an assigned IBM relationship manager for support, updates on IBM’s cloud strategy, business development funds to invest in marketing and events and assessment tools to develop customised client recommendations for cloud strategies.
“We have built this based on what our Business Partners told us they wanted and we expect a huge number to enrol very quickly,” Davey said.
In addition the vendor took the wraps off its first IBM Cloud Computing Authorisation – set to launch in May – designed specifically for IBM software resellers, as part of the IBM Software Value Plus programme.
Partners that meet the programme requirements – which include passing two IBM cloud computing certification tests, providing a cloud offering that includes multiple IBM technologies and demonstrating successful implementations – will be able to sell a broad range of IBM cloud computing offerings, receive priority cloud computing lead-passing consideration and opportunities to attend joint planning meetings with IBM sales teams.