IBM recently landed a huge deal – a $500 million, six-year private cloud whopper with insurance colossus, The Hartford. The Hartford will move to a private cloud-based infrastructure on IBM’s PureFlex System. Under the $500 million agreement, IBM will also provide a number of other services related to mainframe, storage, backup and resiliency.
The Hartford will define the services it requires, and IBM will be responsible for the solution and delivery of those services. The partnership supports The Hartford’s strategy to drive profitable growth and increase operational effectiveness as it continues to focus on its property and casualty, group benefits and mutual funds businesses.
Why Is This Behemoth Cloud Investment Symbolic?
Cloud Investment Is A Mandate
As The Hartford continues to execute on its strategic plan, it is making significant technology investments to increase operational effectiveness and improve competitiveness.
The partnership with IBM will help The Hartford implement a strategic technology infrastructure that will provide greater agility and offer more flexibility and transparency as you continue to grow our businesses. This move, by The Hartford, is being mirrored in diverse strategies by enterprises in all industries today.
Businesses Want IT Partners – Not Just Providers
The $500 million directive, according to Philip Guido, general manager, IBM Global Technology Services, North America, is an example of how leading organizations are utilizing cloud technology to gain competitive advantage.
Clients today are looking for IT partners who can understand and help drive their business with a focus on innovation and delivering business outcomes – not just IT efficiency.
Cloud Adoption Is Rising – Fast
A recent IBM study reveals that 66 percent of organizations are using cloud solutions to strengthen the relationship between IT and lines of business – with the majority using cloud to integrate and apply mobile, social, analytics and Big Data technologies.
Businesses of all sizes are moving to the cloud to operate from a platform ideally designed for today’s mobile workforce.
IT Partnerships Create Collaborative Opportunities
As part of the agreement, The Hartford and IBM will also partner on the creation of a joint innovation committee to foster collaboration on strategic initiatives.
The project will leverage the expertise of both firms, market insights and research to build new business models and competitive capabilities that will enhance The Hartford’s ability to anticipate and meet the needs of customers and agents – all thanks to a robust commitment to adopt cloud technologies in one massive sweep.
With more businesses of all sizes researching and adopting cloud technologies to empower business functionality and improve client engagement, a new directive for smart business is rapidly unfolding. . .grow your business with the cloud – or do not grow at all.
IBM Photo via Shutterstock
The post 4 Reasons IBM’s Massive $500 Million Private Cloud Hartford Deal Is Symbolic appeared first on Small Business Trends.
Source: Small Business Trends
4 Reasons IBM’s Massive $500 Million Private Cloud Hartford Deal Is Symbolic
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