IBM Dynamic Cloud Security: Securing enterprises for the Cloud

I have HUGE news to share from the IBM Cloud team! The IBM Dynamic Cloud Security portfolio has been announced!

IBM Dynamic Cloud Security is the industry's first software and services portfolio designed specifically for securing enterprises across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS. This announcement represents the very best of IBM Cloud and IBM Security!

So why is security important to a Cloud strategy? First, we know that Cloud is the infrastructure of choice for data analysis and management. Second, companies need a Cloud solution to remain competitive in the marketplace. With all that data in the Cloud, it has got to be secure!

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So what differentiates IBM Cloud Security? The obvious answer is IBM SoftLayer and Bluemix! Both provide a security-rich environment, whether you are talking about single-sign on, security access, identity managing, or data monitoring.

Here's further proof that IBM is uniquely positioned to offer security for Cloud!
security ibmsecuritystats

To learn more about IBM Dynamic Cloud Security, visit the IBM Cloud Security web site. There you will find more information about the product, services and resource, such as a training video and registration to a forum discussion.

Helpful link:
IBM Dynamic Cloud Security -> http://www.ibm.com/security/cloud/


Awards season for IBM Business Partners - Apply now!!!

It's awards season!!! No, I'm not talking about the Oscars or the Golden Globes - I'm talking about the IBM Beacon Awards!! Business Partners, it's up to you to nominate yourselves for these prestigious annual awards!

I hope to see all of our IBMPartnerWorld members and Business Partners nominate themselves for the fantastic solutions they've created using IBM products and services! It's so easy to nominate yourself and the outcome is well worth the time it takes to fill out the nomination form.

Finalists and winners of the 2015 IBM Beacon Awards will gain great exposure to IBM clients and the industry, it's a great way to differentiate yourself from your competitors, and ultimately it will help you sell, sell, sell! Awards will be presented at the PartnerWorld Leadership Conference.

Finalists and winners will receive one complimentary registration to the conference as well as promotion at the conference and on our PartnerWorld website.

Nominations close November 21, 2014 at 11:59 PM EST so get started on the application ASAP!

I think this is better than a Golden Globe, don't you?

Get started here!   http://ibm.biz/EcoDBeacon


Here's one way to win a SmartCamp event: create a pattern for IBM PureApplication System!

That's how Jelastic differentiated themselves from the competition at SmartCamp Moscow! A true MSP in the making, Jelastic has already committed itself to taking full advantage of their IBM partnership!

russia jelastic_logo

So what is it that their software solution does? Their Platform-as-Infrastructure solution combines the flexibility of IaaS and the ease of use of PaaS within a single platform for a fraction of the cost of existing virtualized environments.

But here's the really cool part. The pattern for PureApplication System they created turns a PureApplication System into a cloud-ready PaaS solution! Just like that! With the Jelastic pattern, IBM can offer a turn-key PaaS platform for PureApplication System on premises or in the Cloud!

russia jelastic

That's a great way to make a big impact at SmartCamp! Congratulations, Jelastic! Follow them on Twitter @Jelastic.


Big Data and Analytics doesn't have to be Scary!!! Learn more!

Here's a non frightening way to learn about Big Data and Analytics!   Hear from IDC analysts in a webcast as they share insight from the whitepaper they authored, "The Big Opportunity for IBM Business Partners in Big Data and Analytics."

https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=registration.jsp&eventid=811716&sessionid=1&key=F6900898D2A03342B852882FA8B0BF81&sourcepage=register

And, just as a teaser, here's a sneak preview about the IDC findings:

  • Projected revenue of over $32 billion by 2017
  • Focus on Line of Business Decision Makers for sales
  • Big Data and Analytics as a profitable "fast turn" business - potential of sales cycles lasting fewer than 90 days

The IDC whitepaper (requires IBM ID and password) includes the story of three IBM Business Partners (YaData, Aginity, and eCapital Advisors) as they approach the Big Data and Analytics market with their solutions.

This is such an important opportunity, that we've dedicated a webcast for this whitepaper. I can't stress enough how important it is that you attend the webcast to learn more about the market opportunities with Big Data and Analytics.

 


Big Data helps to Alleviate Diabetes with companies like Diabetizer

My brother has Diabetes.   He has had it since he was young so I grew up with this disease in my family.

But a  cure for diabetes could be imminent after scientists discovered how to make huge quantities of insulin-producing cells, in a breakthrough hailed as significant as antibiotics.

Harvard University has, for the first time, managed to manufacture the millions of beta cells required for transplantation.

It could eventually mean the end of daily insulin injections for the 347 million people globally living with Type 1 diabetes and it will provide new forms of treatment for those suffering with Type 2 diabetes.

In the meantime, take a listen to this set of BlueMix apps -- one of which is Diabetizer using "data" to help people with this disease.  ( http://www.diabetizer.com/?lang=en )


Digital tip of the week – How to Import your email contacts as connections in LinkedIn

Digital tip of the week  – How to Import your email contacts as connections in LinkedIn

You can connect with most people you’ve done business through your email. LinkedIn allows you to search through your email contacts to find anyone who might have slipped your mind or works in a different industry now.

To import your address book:

  • Click the Add Connections icon in the top right of your LinkedIn homepage.
  • Click the button for the email provider you use. If you don't see your provider, click the Any Email button.
  • Enter your information.

Two Danish startups could disrupt the financial trading and telecomm industries!

Venner, jeg har store nyheder fra Danmark! (That's Danish for "Friends, I have great news from Denmark!")

Recently, SmartCamp Nordic was held in Copenhagen in connection with the IBM BusinessConnect Denmark event, ensuring some top-level SmartCamp finalists! Magick was announced as the winner, beating out 5 other finalists!

magick_winner

Magick is a software development company specializing in cloud-based financial trading technology. Their solution specializes in foreign exchange trade automation and is easily configured by the user with an intuitive client interface that runs on any Web browser. Their solution has the added security of the cloud making it easier for traders to access their data from any computer, tablet or mobile device!

No longer are clients of foreign exchange trading required to do programming to automate their trading. With Magick, it is fast and easy to start trading! Follow them on Twitter @MAGICKnu.

Did you know that in Europe, 94% of mobile phone subscribers limit their usage when traveling and that 28% turn off their mobile phone entirely? Hello World Mobile, winner of the People's Choice Award, is aware of this problem, and they have a solution!

Hello World Mobile, winner of 4 previous competitions, has a scalable technology platform solution capable of recognizing a single local identity across different mobile networks with a seamless user experience. Their solution enables telecom providers to offer roaming free international subscriptions.

This means no more roaming fees when you are out of your telecom's network! No wonder they were the crowd favorite! Follow them on Twitter @HeWoMo.

Tillykke til vinderne! Congratulations to the winners!

Helpful links:
Magick -> http://www.magick.nu/
Hello World Mobile -> http://helloworldmobile.com/

 


Join me on October 22nd for a "Bluemix Girls Night Out"!!!

Gang!   I would love to see you in NYC for a "Bluemix Girls Night Out!"   On October 22, 2014, IBM will be hosting a Bluemix Girls' Night Out event for Digital.NYC at our offices at 590 Madison Avenue!

The event will be a fun filled night to build skills especially on our IBM BluemixTM cloud-based developer platform. We will also be offering hands-on labs for attendees to help them better understand the benefits of cloud-based development.  And of course, there will be fun and food!

If you are interested in attending this event visit www.ibm.biz/bluemixgnonyc where you can register now. If you are interested partnering with IBM to host a Bluemix Girls' Night Out event with your group, please contact my colleague Steve Johnston via email at johnstst@us.ibm.com.


Bluemix Girls' Night Out! Encourage and Empower Us Geeks!

Women in the workforce today face a number of challenges and pressures that make their experience unique. For women working in IT, that includes being outnumbered almost 3 to 1. And yet, the IT industry and computer related roles offer many of the benefits and flexibility that women seek.

GNO_DNYC

According to recent statistics, women hold 51% of positions in the workforce today, but only about 26% of positions in IT. Since 1985 the number of women receiving degrees in computer science has fallen from 37% to 18%.

As a woman, this is particularly frustrating, as the IT industry and IBM have provided me with a number of opportunities for success and development that are not available elsewhere. And there are so many other women who have been able to achieve success as well.

And with the advances in cloud, mobile and social, many of the barriers to create our own opportunities are being removed. Women are playing pivotal roles in startups as leaders, developers and decision makers.

With this in mind, IBM has developed our Bluemix Girls' Night Out events. These events offer women opportunities for career mentoring and include a focus on enabling them on best practices for cloud-based development using PaaS such as IBM's Bluemix platform.

Girls' Night Out is meant to give women of all levels of experience and knowledge a place to come together to support each other, and help spur creativity and community. We are looking to partner with other local organizations to help host and execute them.

And in NYC, we are hosting a Bluemix Girls' Night Out partnering with Digital.NYC to bring this program to their members on October 22, at our facilities at 590 Madison Avenue.

Our goal is to help foster the next generation of women developers, leaders and entrepreneurs, Because our industry needs the talent and ideas to spur the next generation of technology to advance and change our business and lives.

And we have already seen the impact that these types of events can have. When you bring a group of talented women together, and empower them with support and knowledge the impact is almost immediate. And it only strengthens the communities, businesses and teams which they are a part of.

If you are interested in hosting, partnering or participating in one of these events, please let us know. We look forward to meeting the next generation of leaders, innovators and developers.