IBM Adding MSP Partners Hand Over Fist

In an interview with CRN TV, Mark Hennessy, general manager of IBM Global Business Partners and Midmarket, said managed services has been a key growth area for Big Blue this year as the company continues to press forward with its mid-market channel strategy.

"More and more of [MSPs] are signing up with IBM and becoming an IBM business partner," Hennessy said.

Hennessy replaced Rich Hume as IBM's channel chief in January when new IBM CEO Virginia Rommetty took the helm from Sam Palmisano. Since that time, Hennessy said he's seen strong channel growth in the mid-market so far this year, as well as IBM's Growth Markets in Brazil, the Middle East and China.

In addition, Hennessy said he's seeing partner growth in cloud, analytics and solutions based on IBM's Smarter Planet and Smarter Cities initiatives.

Watch the full CRN TV interview with Mark Hennessy for more.