IBM partners Tech Mahindra on hybrid cloud services

Both the companies will work to build a platform for the development of cloud-based apps for its clients on Bluemix

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Tech giant IBM today said it has signed an agreement with IT services major Tech Mahindra to build a platform for the development of cloud-based apps for its clients on Bluemix to increase hybrid services adoption.

The alliance between IBM and Tech Mahindra adds to the US-based firm's partnerships with other technology firms like SAP, Microsoft and TenCent to grow its global cloud footprint.

It comes in the backdrop of IBM's announcement in January last year to expand its global footprint of SoftLayer cloud centres. The firm said it would invest $1 billion into its Bluemix Platform-as-a-Service to help usher developers into the era of hybrid cloud.

"IBM has signed a strategic teaming agreement with Tech Mahindra, a specialist in digital transformation, consulting and business re-engineering with $3.5 billion in revenue and over 670 clients across 51 countries," it said in a statement.

IBM will work with Tech Mahindra to build a platform for the development of cloud-based apps for its clients on Bluemix Dedicated, a single-tenant version of Bluemix, it added.

Bluemix runs on SoftLayer cloud infrastructure and combines the strength of IBM's middleware software with tools from IBM's partner ecosystem to offer DevOps in the cloud. With access to services and APIs from across the tech industry, Bluemix helps developers speed application deployment from months to minutes, IBM said.

Through this partnership, IBM will provide an open, flexible cloud environment to enable Tech Mahindra's developers to build cloud-native and cloud enabled applications with a scalable model, it added.

Besides, Tech Mahindra will train 5,000 of its developers on how to build advanced apps on Bluemix for the hybrid cloud, a combination of public, private and on-premise environments that link systems of record such as core banking and accounting systems with systems of engagement like mobile, situational and social apps.

"The engagement will help Tech Mahindra build a skilled workforce which can work on services across a wide range of services including Cloud Migration Services, DevOps and Internet of Things. Tech Mahindra will now be able to develop applications for predictive analytics that also draw on data from the Internet of Things (IoT) for clients in the automotive and manufacturing industry," IBM said.

Many of Tech Mahindra's clients are increasingly looking to tap into the power of the cloud for its benefits in fostering greater efficiency, innovation, speed and collaboration, Tech Mahindra Chief Technology Officer (Communications Group) Raju Wadalkar said.

"However, a large number of these companies are taking cautious steps towards cloud adoption due to performance, security, data sovereignty and other concerns. The hybrid approach of IBM Cloud and Bluemix will help us to bridge this gap, giving our clients greater flexibility and control of their data as they design and adopt cloud strategies," he added.