IBM ‘Doubling Down’ On MSPs By Launching New MSP Program

‘MSPs have a unique opportunity in the market so to make it easier for them to work with us we will be launching an MSP program in the coming months,’ said Kate Woolley, general manager of IBM’s ecosystem, at IBM Think 2024 Monday.

At IBM Think 2024 on Monday, the tech giant unveiled a new MSP program aimed at providing a set of MSP-ready offerings to IBM partners.

“We are doubling down on our commitment to the MSP community,” said Kate Woolley, general manager of IBM’s ecosystem, during IBM Think 2024 in Boston. “MSPs have a unique opportunity in the market so to make it easier for them to work with us we will be launching an MSP program in the coming months.”

Woolley said the new MSP program is “specifically tailored and focused on a set of MSP-ready offerings from our automation portfolio to deliver differentiated value to MSPs.”

“As part of this [new program], our MSP partners can expect simplified on-boarding, resources and access to our benefits, all aligned to how they prefer to transact,” said Woolley.

IBM MSPs Set To Drive AI Adoption

Sergio Farache, executive vice president of strategy and global technology business at IBM partner and distributor TD Synnex, said the MSP space is “very critical and a focus area” for IBM as the AI era gets underway.

“IBM is looking at MSPs as the driver in terms of adoption because the MSPs are playing a key role not only from the implementation perspective, but now as an operational entity for end users of the technology,” said Farache.

Farache said MSPs are, in many cases, the trusted advisers of IBM customers in terms of technology adoption, particularly around AI and generative AI.

“MSPs that are using their business competencies like security, cloud and others are now adding this layer of AI,” Farache said. “The steps that IBM is taking and the focus they have now on AI and the level of evolution and quick release of new products is creating a significant opportunity for MPSs and the partner ecosystem.”

IBM’s Channel Charge

IBM’s new MSP program comes as the $62 billion Armonk, N.Y.-based tech giant strives to find new ways for partners to make more money with IBM.

For example, IBM recently incorporated IBM Cloud Platform and software support offerings into the IBM Partner Plus program. “We’ll be doing the same with IBM LinuxONE in the coming weeks,” Woolley added.

“These moves will better align the program to equip and reward our partners with the expertise to support client growth and opportunities to win,” she said. “We are continuously investing in the IBM Partner Plus program with enhancements, resources to build skills and new paths to support partners wherever they are and however they choose to transact.”

TD Synnex Pushing 100 Partners To Achieve IBM Gold Tier Status

TD Synnex’s Farache highlighted the distributor’s investment to equip 100 TD Synnex partners to achieve IBM’s Gold tier partner status.

TD Synnex launched a new IBM watsonx Gold 100 program last week with the purpose of turning 100 of its partners into IBM Gold tier partners so they could better leverage IBM watsonx opportunities, specifically in AI.

“When it comes to investment in AI, it can be difficult for partners to know where to start so we aim to provide not just solutions, but guidance, training and enablement to help them navigate the AI revolution successfully,” Farache said.

IBM Think 2024 runs from May 20th to May 23rd at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.