IBM Buys Fiberlink: What Happens to Fiberlink's Partners?

IBM (IBM) may have signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held mobile management and security company Fiberlink Communications yesterday, but what does this transaction mean for Fiberlink’s channel partners? 

While the financial terms of the deal were not disclosed publicly, IBM said MaaS360, Fiberlink’s mobility platform, will become part of IBM’s software as a service (SaaS) portfolio of more than 100 cloud services, adding that Big Blue plans to offer MaaS360 on the IBM SoftLayer cloud infrastructure.

Caleb Barlow, IBM’s director of application, data and mobile security, told Talkin’ Cloud via email that the “acquisition of Fiberlink Communications is part of a much broader strategy for IBM,” pointing to the company’s future vision of enterprise mobility management (EMM).

“With Fiberlink’s MaaS360 cloud-based offerings, IBM will expand its bring your own device (BYOD) capabilities to deliver a complete mobile management and security solution through IBM MobileFirst that includes trusted transactions and security intelligence capabilities for mobile apps, users, content and data,” he said.

With regards to Fiberlink’s partners, Barlow said that not much will change with Fiberlink’s existing channel partners.

“Existing Fiberlink partners will continue to operate within the Fiberlink Business Partner program and will conduct business as usual, using their current contract, terms and program structure,” he said.

But he also noted that Fiberlink’s partners will eventually be able to access more resources through IBM: “Through IBM’s Partnerworld program, Fiberlink’s business partners will soon be able to access a vast array of benefits and resources, including marketing, selling, technical and training/certification resources.”

IBM would not comment on future acquisitions for its MobileFirst portfolio.

Back in September 2013, IBM said that its Q3 2013 cloud revenues exceeded $1 billion, of which $460 million involved cloud services.