"Training to learn market-leading skills, and benefits will cultivate partner success in an increasingly competitive market." Big Blue says that these changes will go along side an investment of $1bn into its channel. "IBM's ecosystem is central to our growth strategy," the company said. "We want partners and their customers capture the estimated $1tn hybrid cloud market opportunity. "We're simplifying engagements, streamlining go-to-market strategies, and have designed specialized Build, Service, and Sell tracks with tailored offers to help speed time to value." AI and Hybrid Cloud The vendor giant also re-emphasised that the company's focus moving forwards will be on AI and hybrid cloud, amid its ongoing divestment of its $19bn managed services business - now renamed Kyndryl.