Kyndryl announces 'landmark' partnership with Microsoft to bring joint solutions to market

It is the first deal Kyndryl has announced since becoming an independent public company

Kyndryl, the independent company created from the separation of IBM's managed infrastructure services business, has announced a "landmark" partnership with Microsoft in its first deal since becoming a standalone public company.

The deal sees Microsoft becomes Kyndryl's only Premier Global Alliance Partner and provides "incremental multi-billion dollar revenue opportunities for the two companies", Kyndryl claims.

It will see the companies jointly bring customer solutions to market in the areas of data modernisation and governance, AI-driven innovations for industries, cybersecurity and resiliency, and transformation of mission-critical workloads to the cloud.

"As an independent company, we're investing in our partner ecosystem to support the success of our customers, and we're focused on expanding our market opportunity across cloud, data, security, and intelligent automation," said Martin Schroeter, chairman and CEO of Kyndryl.

"In this landmark relationship with Microsoft, Kyndryl is matching our deep expertise in mission-critical IT systems with the benefits of Microsoft Cloud to be at the heart of progress for our global customers."

Additionally, a co-innovation lab will be established to "rapidly develop and bring to market new customer capabilities built on Microsoft Cloud", while Microsoft will also establish the Kyndryl University for Microsoft to "rapidly scale skills for Kyndryl professionals".

"The case for digital transformation has never been more urgent, and more clear," said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft.

"As Kyndryl's only Premier Global Alliance Partner, with the power of the Microsoft Cloud we will help customers across every industry manage and modernize their business for the era ahead.

"We are looking forward to partnering with Kyndryl to serve our shared customers, building on its expertise and understanding of mission-critical IT systems, as well as the company's deep relationships with enterprises around the world."