Introduction

In a significant move to bolster enterprise cloud capabilities, Kyndryl, the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, has announced an expansion of its Distributed Cloud capabilities through a collaboration with Microsoft. This partnership aims to accelerate customers' cloud modernization journeys by integrating Kyndryl's extensive services with Microsoft's robust cloud technologies.

Background

Kyndryl, established in 2021 following its spin-off from IBM, has rapidly positioned itself as a leader in IT infrastructure services. The company specializes in designing, building, managing, and modernizing complex, mission-critical information systems. Microsoft, a global technology giant, offers a comprehensive suite of cloud services through its Azure platform, enabling businesses to innovate and scale efficiently.

Details of the Collaboration

The collaboration between Kyndryl and Microsoft focuses on several key areas:

  • RISE with SAP Migration Program: Microsoft has selected Kyndryl to participate in its RISE with SAP migration program. This initiative supports customers in transitioning to SAP S/4HANA® Cloud, aiming to minimize business disruption, reduce costs, and maximize the business impact of SAP solutions. Kyndryl's deep expertise in SAP and Microsoft technologies positions it as a valuable partner in this endeavor. (kyndryl.com)
  • Mainframe Modernization Services: The partnership introduces new services that offer enterprises a comprehensive path to modernizing their mainframe applications with the Microsoft Cloud. These services aim to accelerate mainframe application migration while unlocking AI insights and generative AI capabilities through Microsoft technologies like Azure OpenAI, Microsoft Copilot, and Azure DevOps. (kyndryl.com)
  • Enhanced Cyber Resilience: Kyndryl and Microsoft have co-developed a suite of services to enhance cyber resilience for businesses globally. These services integrate Kyndryl's deep services expertise with Microsoft's security technologies, providing a comprehensive approach to defending operations from cyber threats. (investors.kyndryl.com)

Implications and Impact

This expanded collaboration has several significant implications for enterprises:

  • Accelerated Digital Transformation: By leveraging Kyndryl's services and Microsoft's cloud technologies, businesses can expedite their digital transformation initiatives, ensuring they remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
  • Enhanced Security Posture: The integration of advanced security services addresses the growing concern of cyber threats, providing businesses with robust solutions to protect their critical assets.
  • Operational Efficiency: The modernization of mainframe applications and the migration to cloud platforms can lead to improved operational efficiency, scalability, and cost savings.

Technical Details

The collaboration encompasses several technical components:

  • Systems Integration: Kyndryl provides integration services that enable customers to create new cloud-native applications using the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure and to re-platform other applications in parallel. (kyndryl.com)
  • Data Governance: By synchronizing mainframe data using Azure SQL Managed Instance and mainframe-based replication software, customers can implement and enforce data governance practices with Azure Purview across cloud and mainframe estates. (kyndryl.com)
  • AI Deployment: Kyndryl's AI expertise helps customers unlock value from mainframe data and drive innovation with Microsoft Fabric. By incorporating cloud-based contextualized data with a real-time copy of mainframe data, customers can take advantage of cloud-based analytics, Microsoft Copilot, and Power BI to provide insights, visualizations, and graphical dashboards without impacting mainframe utilization. (kyndryl.com)
  • Security Integration: Kyndryl's security capabilities integrate Microsoft Sentinel and authentication and policy frameworks with the mainframe, enabling a single auditable control plane across the hybrid estate. Establishing a day-one zero-trust security posture helps customers comply with their regulatory compliance requirements. (kyndryl.com)

Conclusion

The expanded collaboration between Kyndryl and Microsoft represents a strategic effort to provide enterprises with comprehensive, secure, and efficient cloud solutions. By combining Kyndryl's infrastructure services expertise with Microsoft's cloud technologies, the partnership aims to accelerate digital transformation, enhance security, and improve operational efficiency for businesses worldwide.