Tech Explained: Here’s a simplified explanation of the latest technology update around Tech Explained: Accelerating a Vibrant Ecosystem Built for AI, Growth, and Partner Success in Simple Termsand what it means for users..
By Kareem Yusuf Ph.D | Senior Vice President, Ecosystem, Strategic Partners & Initiatives, IBM
January 26, 2026
AI is transforming how businesses operate and how they choose, buy, and deploy technology. This shift is raising the bar for what clients expect from technology providers and the partners they rely on. Meeting that demand requires more than great products. It calls for a vibrant ecosystem that moves with speed, clarity, and shared outcomes.
At IBM, our ecosystem is made up of diverse participants, each playing a distinct role around a very clear purpose: delivering greater value to clients.
As we look to 2026, we are focused on scaling growth, expanding reach, and strengthening our alignment across our ecosystem. Today, we are announcing the acceleration of the IBM Partner Plus Program to support these efforts by helping partners move faster, amplify their impact, and deliver AI-driven solutions that set new market standards. Program enhancements include new incentives, expanded benefits and support, AI‑driven selling experiences, scalable co‑marketing funding, and streamlined routes to market—such as hyperscaler marketplaces and IBM Agent Connect.
We have also tightened our execution and aligned our resources to support our ecosystem strategy. We’ve revised our coverage model, strengthened our focus on partner-centricity, and improved how we connect sellers and partners to drive deals faster. The outcomes we’re driving toward—volume, velocity, and ultimately revenue growth and reach—remain straightforward and consistent.
With resellers, we are removing friction by accelerating their ability to do business with us, improving incentives, automating where possible, and strengthening the offers and products that help drive pipeline.
For service partners, success comes from their confidence in our technology. We are helping them articulate the value of IBM clearly, embed our technology seamlessly into their offerings, and build trust with us to scale together as they influence client decisions.
Independent software vendors look to us for guidance on which technologies to build on. We are helping them embed our technology to create the most competitive, successful solutions. And with hyperscalers, we continue to optimize these routes to market—especially marketplaces, self‑service, and e-commerce—to ensure we meet clients where they are.
IBM is committed to helping partners deliver meaningful results for clients as they navigate and deploy new technologies. With trusted relationships spanning thousands of partners, we will continue collaborating with them to solve real-world challenges with AI and accelerate business outcomes.
Together with our partners, we have a tremendous opportunity to drive sustained success and create unmatched momentum for clients in 2026 and beyond.
Visit ibm.com/partnerplus to learn more.