IBM SmartCloud, PureFlex: MSP Double Play?

IBM SmartCloud and PureFlex Systems will take center stage at the IBM MSP Summit this week in Las Vegas. The big question: Can IBM convince more MSPs to standardize on its cloud platforms (especially amid the SoftLayer acquisition) and converged infrastructure hardware?

Among the executives tackling those and other issues this week at IBM Summit:

IBM’s effort to engage MSPs began in 2011. The original effort involved hardware sales into MSP data centers. But IBM has been expanding its MSP focus to include managed and cloud services that MSPs can plug into. 

Not by coincidence, IBM’s definition of MSP has expanded to include a range of companies that offer on- and off-premises IT services. It’s clear IBM is trying to engage everyone from systems integrators to telcos with its portfolio of hardware, software and managed cloud offerings.

Of the major server hardware giants (Dell, HP, IBM and Oracle-Sun) I believe IBM has the sharpest focus on MSPs. But are those MSPs generating big business for IBM? It’s a safe bet Monshaw and Advani will offer updates when they take the stage at IBM Summit on June 11.