IBM and Microsoft have opened three new Experience Zones to provide global clients with hands-on access to cloud and generative AI solutions. The new locations are in Bucharest, Romania, Buffalo, New York, and Leicester, UK. They aim to help clients explore opportunities in generative AI, hybrid cloud, and other Microsoft technologies to transform their business.
According to Brian Wood, Research Director at IDC, the combined tools and platforms for data and AI show synergy in many environments and business processes. Chris McGuire, Vice President and General Manager for the Global Microsoft Strategic Partnership at IBM, stated that these Experience Zones will provide opportunities for hands-on access and ideation with IBM and Microsoft experts to identify challenges and develop technology solutions. The zones will feature Microsoft technologies including Azure, Azure Open AI Service, Microsoft Copilot, and more, as well as select IBM technologies that run on Microsoft Azure.
Expanding Access to Cloud and Generative AI Solutions
IBM Corporation has announced the official opening of three new Experience Zones within its Client Innovation Centers, in partnership with Microsoft. These zones are designed to provide hands-on access to cloud and generative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for clients globally.
The new Experience Zones are located in Bangalore, India, and two additional locations will be announced soon. The zones offer a unique opportunity for clients to engage with IBM and Microsoft experts, identify business challenges, and develop technology solutions to create value and solve their most pressing needs.
Harnessing the Power of Cloud and AI
At the Experience Zone in Bangalore, chief information officers (CIOs) and their teams have explored solutions around cloud modernization, Microsoft Azure, and custom copilots. Industry clients such as manufacturing, gas and oil, and consumer packaged goods (CPG) have shown interest in capabilities with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), including solutions like Microsoft’s Hololens and Azure Internet of Things (IoT) and Edge.
IBM experts work with clients to identify and solve their unique business challenges using cloud and generative AI solutions. For example, a financial services client could explore how Microsoft Copilot and its ability to create AI-based solutions could help cut down on the time to find documentation and review loan applications for approval. Or a client in the healthcare industry could assess ways to use various Microsoft Azure solutions to provide cloud computing for business-critical applications, such as cross-clinic access to patient files while also securing patient health information.
Upskilling Employees with Next-Generation Technologies
The Experience Zones provide clients with an opportunity to up-level their employees’ skill sets by showcasing next-generation technologies and industry-specific case studies. This enables enterprises to harness generative AI to solve the complexities of competitive business environments.
IBM Consulting’s continued investment and work with Microsoft help clients bring cloud and generative AI solutions to market through the expertise and guidance of IBM’s dedicated practice of Microsoft practitioners globally. Today, IBM consultants have more than 46,000 Microsoft certifications and aim to add 10,000 generative AI certifications by the end of 2024.
Strategic Partnership between IBM and Microsoft
The partnership between IBM and Microsoft is a key aspect of IBM’s strategy to deliver joint solutions for clients globally. The two companies are committed to unlocking the full potential of generative AI and the hybrid cloud.
During the recent IBM-Microsoft Copilot Hackathon, 250 client teams and more than 800 participants worked with experts from IBM, Neudesic, Bluetab, and Microsoft to explore and co-create AI-based solutions to improve productivity, unlock creativity, and streamline business processes. Beyond developing solutions on Microsoft Copilot, the teams utilized IBM Consulting’s Copilot Runway offering, announced in May, which allows enterprises to create and deploy customized, tailored copilots to help enhance business efficiencies that can impact the bottom line.
With these three new Experience Zones and client-focused engagements like the hackathon, IBM continues to highlight its commitment to – and momentum with – Microsoft as a strategic partner to deliver joint solutions for clients globally.
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