IBM inks deal with app player Docker

Big Blue to work Docker Hub Enterprise into its products

IBM has announced a partnership with Docker to enable enterprises to use the Docker open platform to build and run the next generation of applications on the IBM Cloud and also on premises.

The two firms said in their announcement that enterprises can use the combination of IBM and Docker "to create and manage a new generation of portable distributed applications that are rapidly composed of discrete interoperable Docker containers, have a dynamic lifecycle, and can scale to run in concert anywhere from the developer's laptop to hundreds of hosts in the cloud".

IBM is the first firm selling integrated solutions with Docker that include Docker Hub Enterprise - a turn-key solution for creating multi-container distributed applications behind the firewall. The partnership enables the two firms to build on Docker's open platform and will, according to the firms' announcement, allow for a more efficient and effective way to build, ship and run Docker multi-container, multi-host application in the cloud.

"This partnership will assist in increasing developer productivity and accelerate time to market for smarter applications, which are coupled with IBM's strong security and integration with key existing enterprise systems, including service management and DevOps," the two firms said.

Ben Golub, CEO of Docker, said the partnership is a "great win" for enterprises that see Docker as the foundation for a new generation of business critical distributed applications. "IBM's commitment to delivering enterprise-grade Docker native solutions will drive dynamic, new business initiatives for enterprises through portable, highly dynamic Docker-based applications," he added.