IBM, Blackboard to develop educational solutions using Watson

Global technology and consulting corporation, IBM, has collaborated with education technology company, Blackboard to manage its datacenters and cloud infrastructure. Both the companies will also be working to develop innovative educational solutions using IBM Watson’s cognitive computing technology and Blackboard’s broad capabilities suite. The agreement states that Blackboard’s technology infrastructure, including 28 global data centers and its existing public cloud footprint will be managed by IBM. It will also support Blackboard’s use of the public cloud and will provide flexible, reliable, security-rich and resilient environments. Philip Guido, General Manager, Global Technology Services, North America, IBM, says:

Working with Blackboard builds on our ongoing commitment to education, to learning, and to creating an environment where our clients can continue to focus on developing innovative solutions to the challenges faced by educators. By working with us in this transformative journey, Blackboard is accelerating its ability to deliver agile solutions via the cloud that enhance the educational experience.

IBM claims that it will also work with Blackboard to migrate its applications from its datacenters to the public cloud, which will lead to continuously improving service for Blackboard customers and enable Blackboard to more rapidly develop and deliver comprehensive learning, collaboration and communication capabilities improving the educational experience for teachers, administrators, learners and their families. Bill Ballhaus, Chairman, CEO and President, Blackboard, says:

I’m excited by the new opportunities working with IBM will bring to Blackboard customers. We will continue to focus on what we do best –delivering the best educational technologies and solutions that benefit learners –while we work with IBM to help ensure our customers’ systems are protected and secure. At the same time, this broad agreement enables us to expand our service into new markets, and develop cutting-edge technologies together with IBM Watson.

Both the companies have also agreed to partner for developing cognitive educational solutions to advance learner success. According to IBM, Blackboard’s expertise in developing innovative education products will be combined with IBM Watson’s cognitive computing technology. The new solutions aims to offer greater support for teachers and students to address their collaborative needs in the classroom and help students complete and achieve their educational goals. IBM also claims that it has assisted education institutions in transforming their student experience and outcomes using cloud, analytics and social products and services and will be adding Blackboard’s solutions to its portfolio. Blackboard offerings will hence, become a part of IBM’s capabilities to support client’s transformation agendas.