This week, IBM and Salesforce announced that they have entered a global strategic partnership as they plan to deliver joint solutions designed to help companies leverage artificial intelligence in their respective operations and decisions.
With the partnership, the companies say that the AI platform providers, IBM Watson and Salesforce Einstein, will connect to enable a new level of intelligent customer engagement across sales, service, marketing, commerce and more.
Marc Benioff, CEO, Salesforce said:
The combination of Einstein and Watson will make businesses smarter and our customers more successful.
I’m thrilled to form an alliance with IBM—no company’s core values are as close to Salesforce’s as IBM’s. It’s the best of both worlds.
IBM also announced that it is investing in its Global Business Services capabilities for Salesforce with a new practice to help clients deploy the combined IBM Watson and Salesforce Einstein capabilities.
Ginni Rometty, CEO, IBM said:
Within a few years, every major decision—personal or business—will be made with the help of AI and cognitive technologies.
This year we expect Watson will touch one billion people—through everything from oncology and retail to tax preparation and cars.
Now, with today’s announcement, the power of Watson will serve the millions of Salesforce and Einstein customers and developers to provide an unprecedented understanding of customers.