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IBM Launches Bevy of Resources for SmartCloud Partners
Matthew Weinberger
February 29, 2012
2 Min Read
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At this week’s IBM PartnerWorld 2012 conference, IBM reached out to its so-called “business partner” base of channel pros with a new set of resources designed to help them connect with the IBM SmartCloud platform. That includes customer connection initiatives, educational outreach, a social business application toolkit and a new entry-level reference configuration for IBM SmartCloud.The first new initiative, Ready for IBM SmartCloud Services, is an online directory that enables customers to search for cloud-focused IBM Business Partners by expertise, including business applications, collaboration, development and test tools, infrastructure services and security and monitoring, according to the press release. Customers can find the right trusted adviser, and partners get more cloud business.
Next, Tech Talk for Cloud Computing is a “monthly virtual learning series” for partners, run by IBM developerWorks and taught by industry and IBM pros. Meanwhile, the Social Business Tool Kit is for cloud integrators that want to build applications that interface with the IBM SmartCloud for Social Business platform. Developers can use OpenSocial APIs to get at profiles, contacts, meetings, files and communities data.
Finally, SmartCloud Entry on IBM System x is a ~$60k reference configuration for IBM SmartCloud that’s an “easy-to-deploy, simple-to-use offering that features a self-service portal for workload provisioning, virtualized image management and monitoring,” according to IBM. It’s aimed at getting midmarket customers up and running with private clouds quickly.
In that same press release, IBM GM of Global Business Partners and Midmarket Mark Hennessy highlighted the cloud channel’s success with Big Blue:
“As greater adoption of cloud by the channel continues to build in 2012, there will be a number of things for Business Partners to consider, from choosing cloud services to offer as well as decisions around branding, training, and customer pricing models. IBM provides a simplified approach to help Business Partners make these decisions, and in turn, provide the solid foundation to adopt innovative cloud business models and generate new revenue streams.”
Over at The VAR Guy, our resident blogger is on the ground at IBM PartnerWorld, so keep watching for updates.
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