Like a Store, but for a Whole Solution

LONDON, December 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Consumers seem to have it all their own way now. They had instant messaging (IM) before the business world had a look at it. They get to choose which device they bring to work under a 'Bring Your Own Device' policy in many companies, and they have app stores from Microsoft, Apple and Google, through which they can configure their computers with more freedom than ever before.

Business has had nothing like this. Until now. IBM has launched the Solution Store (http://bitly.com/1d887iK) an ecosystem to allow IBM partners can make choices and, possibly more importantly from their point of view, pitch for business. That's right - actual live tenders for pitches go up. Meanwhile users can search the site for the right partner, and put up their own tenders if they want to.

Of course it looks nothing like an app store and its offerings are vastly more complicated. Which is why the user gets a pretty good choice. They log onto their account which they can set up in minutes; they then choose what they're looking for an ISV, a managed services provider (MSP), Solution Software Business Provider, then they tick boxes for the solution category (in other words which market they operate in), solution type, solution industry and location.

Obviously the quality of the response they get and the partners the system serves to them depends on two things. First the quality of the information they put into the system. Second, the quality and depth of the information the IBM partner has put into the system whilst setting up their own account.

Possibly the strongest element of this system is going to be the potential for IBM partners to cross-fertilise. Of course the end user can search for his or her own ideal partner to fulfill a project but so can an IBM partner. Perhaps someone in Sussex has the opportunity to work on a project for an independent cinema but they don't have the ticketing skills - they might have everything else. So they can search the system for someone with the prerequisite area and really provide a solution to their business problem, instantly.

It's that "instantly" that's going to matter to the end user. Forging business partnerships has until now been a slow process, a matter of finding someone on the web, picking up the phone or sending an email and meeting in person. Nobody is suggesting this is some sort of substitute for building trust over a period of time, naturally; however, cutting the initial time searching for likely partners and evolving a short list with a few keystrokes has to be a good thing.

It's going to be as good as its database, which is pretty strong. IBM partners, whether ISVs, MSPs or software partners, are being urged to put their details in as soon as possible. The idea is to make sourcing your IT partner as easy as downloading a game of Angry Birds.

Well, kind of.

To register, click here (http://bitly.com/1d887iK).

Contact

Jerry Crossfield, UKI MSP Sales Manager, +44(0)7715-161181, [email protected]

SOURCE IBM UK MSP (Managed Service Provider) Team