IBM has formed a definitive agreement to acquire SoftLayer Technologies, Inc., a privately held cloud computing infrastructure provider. IBM is acquiring SoftLayer to make it easier and faster for clients around the world to incorporate cloud computing by combining the speed and simplicity of SoftLayer’s public cloud services with the enterprise grade reliability, security and openness of the IBM SmartCloud portfolio. SoftLayer accelerates IBM’s ability to integrate public and private clouds for its clients, with flexibility that provides deployment options that enable a faster, broader transformation for small, medium and large businesses with a range of performance and security models.
IBM intends to expand SoftLayer cloud offerings to include OpenStack capabilities, consistent with its entire SmartCloud portfolio and commitment to open standards such as Linux. Because most companies will mix public and private cloud services, clouds need to interoperate. In that way, firms can better leverage cloud to run their social, mobile and Big Data applications.
Recognizing the importance of cloud to global clients, IBM is also forming a new Cloud Services division. Following the close of the acquisition of SoftLayer, which is expected in 3Q 2013, the new division will combine SoftLayer with IBM SmartCloud into a global platform. The new division will provide a broad range of choices to both IBM and SoftLayer clients, ISVs, channel partners and technology partners. SoftLayer’s services will complement the existing portfolio with its focus, simplicity and speed. The division will report to Erich Clementi, Senior Vice President, IBM Global Technology Services.
More information is available about SoftLayer Technologies and the IBM SmartCloud portfolio.