IBM and Microsoft open new global hubs for hands-on access to AI and cloud tech

IBM and Microsoft have launched three new IBM-Microsoft Experience Zones in Bucharest, Buffalo, and Leicester, extending their joint initiative to provide hands-on access to Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Azure and generative AI tools. These centres, located within IBM’s Client Innovation Centres, aim to help businesses across various industries such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing to explore the benefits of Microsoft’s AI and cloud solutions in transforming their operations.

This development follows the April 2024 opening of the first IBM-Microsoft Experience Zone in Bangalore, India. The new locations are strategically positioned to provide more businesses with direct access to IBM’s expertise and Microsoft’s technology stack, including Microsoft Dynamics, Azure Open AI Service, and the innovative Microsoft Copilot. Brian Wood from IDC noted that the synergy between IBM’s tools and Microsoft’s platforms offers clients enhanced business processes and data-driven solutions.

In these Experience Zones, clients can experiment with solutions such as IBM Maximo Application Suite and explore how cloud and generative AI can help improve business efficiency. Chris McGuire of IBM highlighted that these zones provide clients with hands-on opportunities to develop technology solutions tailored to their needs, with support from both IBM and Microsoft experts.

The zones provide a space where industries like manufacturing and healthcare can test tools such as Microsoft Hololens, explore cloud computing solutions on Microsoft Azure, and utilise AI-based tools like Microsoft Copilot to streamline processes like loan application reviews and patient health information management. By focusing on industry-specific challenges, IBM and Microsoft are helping companies to understand and implement generative AI solutions that will lead to increased productivity and better business outcomes.

IBM’s partnership with Microsoft continues to deepen. IBM has over 46,000 Microsoft certifications among its consultants and plans to add 10,000 more AI-related certifications by the end of 2024. The joint hackathon between IBM and Microsoft, which saw over 800 participants creating AI-based solutions, further demonstrated the success of this collaboration.

With the launch of these new Experience Zones, IBM is highlighting its commitment to its strategic partnership with Microsoft, providing businesses with the tools and expertise they need to adopt AI and hybrid cloud solutions that drive innovation.