Tech Data To Distribute IBM Cloud Products, Services
Tech Data will provide the IBM offerings, including the IBM Smart Business Cloud and Smart Business desktop on the IBM Cloud services, through the distributor's TDCloud business.
"Tech Data has aligned with IBM to offer cloud solutions that enable resellers to implement a private cloud, as well as offer them the opportunity to sell IBM public cloud services such as Smart Cloud Enterprise and Managed Backup Cloud," said Chuck Bartlett, vice president and general manager of Advanced Infrastructure Solutions at Tech Data, in a statement.
Through TDCloud Tech Data provides cloud computing products and services, along with training, technical support, and configuration and shipping services, to resellers who are providing private cloud systems for customers.
On the services side Tech Data will distribute the IBM Smart Business Cloud virtual service environment, the Smart Business Desktop on the IBM Cloud, IBM Information Protection Services Managed Backup Cloud, IBM Managed Security Services, and Tivoli Live Monitoring Services.
On the software and appliances side, Tech Data will distribute IBM's LotusLive online collaboration, e-mail and social networking applications; the IBM Workload Deployer self-service portal (previously known as CloudBurst); and the IBM WebSphere Cast Iron cloud integration toolset.
"Our relationship with Tech Data is a key factor for our successful alignment with IBM and choosing them as our primary software partner," said Cheryl Kleiman, vice president of sales for PointSource, a Bradenton, Fla.-based IT consulting firm and IBM channel partner. "Tech Data's IBM software group has been instrumental in ensuring we're utilizing all of IBM's programs and tools, as well as introducing us to the key people that are going to help drive our business to the next level," she said in a statement.
IBM has identified cloud computing as one of its strategic initiatives. The vendor has said it expects its cloud-related sales to double this year and grow to $7 billion by 2015.
TechData has aggressively moved into cloud computing, distributing cloud computing software and services through its StreamOne platform for VARs, end-customers and developers.