IBM Takes On AT&T’s Managed Hosting, Managed Application Services Unit

IBM begins controlling the managed application and managed hosting services unit of AT&T.

The New York based enterprise, IBM, has started to control AT&T’s managed hosting facilities division and managed software, as the company makes efforts to take control of more application, hosting, and networking facilities.

Big Blue stated it aims to align the carrier’s hosting services and managed application to its IBM Cloud portfolio, so they could connect clients more easily, carry out the integration of cloud workloads and networks with their information technology environments. According to a press release, the agreement also provides the opportunity to IBM to access floor space and equipment in the telecom’s datacenters currently providing support to managed hosting operations and softwares.

An official at IBM, Phillip Guido, stated, “Today’s announcement represents an expansion of our strategic relationship with AT&T and continuing collaboration to deliver new innovative solutions. Working with AT&T, we will deliver a robust set of IBM Cloud and managed services that can continuously evolve to meet clients’ business objectives.”

The contract marks a huge change of pace for the telecom, which up till now, used to handle its own hosting services and managed softwares. The telecommunications service provider would be continuing to offer networking facilities including mobility facilities, cloud networking and security, AT&T stated.

eWeek has reported that most of AT&T’s workers who are presently supporting these facilities would be moving to IBM and keep performing their current roles. The latter did not reveal whether it had paid any kind of financial compensation to the telecom giant under the conditions of the revised partnership contract.

An official at AT&T, Jon Summers, stated, “AT&T and IBM have worked together for nearly 20 years. This is a natural expansion of our relationship, and it demonstrates our continued commitment to serve customers based on our respective strengths and capabilities.”

This is not the first time that the two companies have collaborated as far as cloud solutions are concerned. In October, the enterprises announced they would be delivering a scalable mobile cloud solution to safeguard applications and corporate data.

Last week, IBM detailed an extended collaboration with Box, in which both enterprises decided to concentrate on sales and stronger go-to-market commitments. This development has taken place at a time when the UK based LED specialist PhotonStar has teamed up with the IBM Watson for ‘Internet of Things’.

PhotonStar stated it showed its Halycon intelligent lighting technology working with the Watson for Internet of Things Cloud system at IBM’s newly opened global Watson IoT head office in the German city, Munich.