International Business Machines Corp Stock Price, News & Analysis

On March 4, 2021, Moderna and IBM announced plans to collaborate on technologies to enhance COVID-19 vaccine management. Their pilot program aims to improve supply chain visibility and real-time tracking of vaccine distribution, utilizing artificial intelligence, blockchain, and hybrid cloud technologies.

The initiative includes vaccine management solutions for secure data sharing between governments and healthcare providers, as well as a Digital Health Pass that allows individuals control over their health information, facilitating verification of vaccination status.

IBM (NYSE:IBM) has announced key executive appointments for the new company, NewCo, which will emerge from the separation of its Managed Infrastructure Services business. Elly Keinan has been appointed as Group President, and Maria Bartolome Winans will serve as Chief Marketing Officer. The separation is expected to finalize by the end of 2021, with NewCo positioned to take a leading role in the $500 billion managed infrastructure market. NewCo will have a substantial customer base of over 4,600 clients and a backlog exceeding $60 billion.

IBM has launched GRAMMY Debates with Watson, an innovative fan experience utilizing IBM Watson's natural language processing and cloud technologies. This new feature will allow fans to engage in debates surrounding significant music industry topics leading up to the 63rd GRAMMY Awards on March 14. Additionally, the Recording Academy is transitioning its GRAMMY Backstage platform to the IBM Cloud for enhanced viewer interaction and scalability. This partnership marks the fourth year of collaboration between IBM and the Recording Academy.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced the general availability of its hybrid cloud services, IBM Cloud Satellite, across any environment including on any cloud or at the edge. This integration with Lumen Technologies enhances real-time hybrid cloud capabilities, addressing critical data privacy needs. Industries such as telecommunications and healthcare can now reduce latency significantly, with workloads like telehealth benefiting greatly. Clients like EquBot have already reported latency reductions in decision-making processes, showcasing the potential impact on financial market investments.

Siemens, IBM, and Red Hat announced a partnership to enhance hybrid cloud solutions for manufacturers, aiming to maximize real-time value from operational data. This collaboration allows customers to run Siemens' MindSphere on-premise or in the cloud, improving operational flexibility and efficiency. Manufacturers will benefit from the ability to manage large data volumes generated on-site, while preserving control over their data. The partnership expands on IBM and Siemens' longstanding relationship, with a focus on driving innovation and addressing market demands.

IBM Security released the 2021 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index, analyzing cyberattack trends during 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Key findings include a 100% increase in attacks on healthcare, manufacturing, and energy sectors, due to their critical roles and increased vulnerabilities in industrial control systems. Ransomware attacks surged, particularly by the group Sodinokibi, which generated $123 million in ransom payments. Additionally, Linux-based malware grew by 40%, highlighting a shift in attack strategies, particularly against cloud environments.

IBM has announced the availability of Red Hat software on IBM Power Systems, enhancing its commitment to cloud-native applications and hybrid cloud environments. Key updates include expanded Red Hat capabilities, a new Power Private Cloud Rack solution with a 49% lower cost per request compared to x86 platforms, and improved dynamic capacity for scaling. This strategic move aims to modernize IT infrastructures, as exemplified by Shree Cement's adoption of IBM POWER9 for agility and operational efficiency. The company continues to innovate with upcoming releases targeting hybrid cloud optimization.

Majid Al Futtaim has partnered with IBM to join the IBM Food Trust, enhancing food traceability in Carrefour stores using blockchain technology. This initiative aims to provide customers with insights into food provenance, starting with fresh chicken and microgreens. Customers can access data via QR codes, ensuring transparency in the supply chain. Research indicates that 73% of consumers value product traceability, with 71% willing to pay more for brands that offer it. This collaboration marks a significant step in Carrefour's digital transformation in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.