RPA stands for robotic process automation, the purpose of which is to automate tasks. These are typically manual or repetitive processes carried out on a day-to-day basis. RPA has become very popular in recent years, as businesses look to use it to streamline and improve the processing of information. It helps free up staff to do higher value tasks.

Topics: IBM, Microsoft, Robotics Process Automation

With fans and audiences returning to live sporting and entertainment events, there is a feeling that normality is slowly returning. This was certainly the case at the PGA Golf Championship on Sunday night. Thousands of golf fans massed around the 18^th green at Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course, to see Phil Mickelson become the oldest winner of a Major, a few weeks before his 51^st birthday. At a time when professional golf is being dominated by those who hit the ball great distances, how does a 50-year-old win such a prestigious event?

Topics: Hybrid Cloud, IBM, Red Hat, Ecosystem, Multi-Cloud, CloudPak

With IBM’s global, flagship event Think! starting this week, it’s a reminder of how many of the industry’s largest conferences have found a way to exist on-line. IBM | Think 2021

Topics: Business, Events, IBM, Value Proposition, COVID-19

Amazon’s results announced last week showed a tripling of profits to £5.4bn and provided a reminder that not every business has been suffering during the pandemic. Offering multiple fulfilment options for lockdown consumers has been a key factor in their success.

Topics: IoT, Automation, IBM, Supply Chain, Ecosystem, microchips

The IBM 2021 organisation for the UK has now been announced. “So what” I hear you say.

Topics: Tech Data, IBM, Ecosystem, PartnerWorld

As the quarter ended, along with the financial year for many businesses, it was easy to miss the large number of people leaving IBM and starting new roles across the IT industry. There are also many others who have seen an opportunity to retire early or change industry, after long careers with the company.

Topics: Digital Transformation, IBM, Red Hat, Ecosystem, Value Proposition, IT Industry, People Planning

The Cheltenham National Hunt Festival has a special place in the diary each year, for me and I know many thousands of others. It is great news that it will take place this year, although for the town the loss of 100,000 visitors during the week will be huge. For many local retailers and hospitality venues, the week has traditionally been more significant than their sales at Christmas. I remember one luxury television brand retailer telling me how they always hoped the Irish would win big. When the Irish horses won during The Festival, the shop would get lots of walk in customers asking them to ship TVs and sound systems back to Ireland.

Topics: IBM, IT Channel, Ecosystem, Value Proposition

Last week felt like the industry had pressed the accelerator. With no skiing trips taking people away and businesses looking for a fast start, there has been plenty of activity within the market.

Topics: IBM, Strategic Partnerships, Ecosystem, Modern Workforce

IBM is probably undergoing the most significant change to its business since Lou Gerstner joined as CEO back in April 1993. Mr Gerstner is often quoted as “the man who saved IBM”. Changing the organisation; focussing back on customers and growing partnerships was key to revitalising the company then. They were exciting times, although the excitement varied depending on where you were within the IBM ecosystem at the time!

Topics: IBM, Technology, Channel Partners, Ecosystem

I was recently asked for a summary of the IBM business unit at Tech Data. When pulling this together I realised that many of the other 7000 partners we work with each day at Tech Data probably don’t know how much we cover either.

Topics: IBM, IT Distributor Services, Tech Data Channel Partners