IBM Cloud to Boost eBay Enterprise Commerce Ecosystem

SoftLayer Infrastructure by IBM Cloud Now a Magento Platinum Hosting Partner

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Jan 30, 2015, 09:00 ET

ARMONK, N.Y. and KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Jan. 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- eBayEnterprise, an eBay Inc. company, and IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced that eBay Enterprise has selected IBM as a leading enterprise hybrid cloud platform to enhance its Magento Hosting Partner ecosystem to further expand its global scope and reach. This agreement is designed to introduce Magento's ecommerce clients in every industry to IBM's enterprise-proven cloud platform while also expanding global infrastructure options for Magento's retailers and brands.

Magento, which serves more than 240,000 retailers worldwide, was recognized as the leading ecommerce platform for fast growing retailers of all sizes in the Internet Retailer Top 500 and Hot 100 lists for 2014. Brands already leveraging the power and flexibility of Magento's software include BOXPARK, Munchkin, Rebecca Minkoff, Harvey Nichols and 3M to name a few.

As retailers and brands look to create innovative, scalable customer experiences as part of their commerce strategies, cloud solutions are a natural choice as they offer faster time to market for new deployments, greater flexibility to scale capacity during peak periods, a global footprint to facilitate international expansion, and lower capital expenses. Through its partnership with IBM, Magento will have additional means to support clients in every major global market.

"Magento's unique worldwide developer network enables retailers and brands to create customized, innovative, omnichannel commerce experiences to accelerate their growth. Our partnership with IBM, a proven leader in cloud, will provide Magento clients of all sizes another cost-effective, scalable and secure hosting infrastructure on a global scale," noted Craig Hayman, president, eBay Enterprise.

Delivering Premier Cloud-Hosting Solutions for Retailers and Brands
This partnership offers Magento Enterprise Edition clients another powerful, flexible and reliable cloud-hosting solution that can be tailored to support their needs in ways cookie-cutter platforms cannot. The addition of IBM's SoftLayer to the Magento Hosting Partner program signifies Magento's leadership and continued focus on enabling virtually unlimited flexibility in both software and infrastructure options.

IBM, a new Magento Platinum Hosting Partner, operates a global cloud infrastructure platform designed to guarantee security, resiliency and efficiency. IBM's cloud centers are connected by the industry's most advanced network that integrates distinct public, private, hybrid and internal management networks to deliver lower total networking costs, better access and higher speed. Magento merchants using the SoftLayer infrastructure will be able to capitalize on IBM's global network of more than 40 cloud centers to get closer to their customers and end users while providing the option to keep sensitive data in local facilities.

"Ecommerce is a key vertical business for IBM Cloud," said Jim Comfort, general manager, IBM Cloud Services. "Partnering with eBay Enterprise will better position our joint customers to realize their growth goals by leveraging their Magento platform running on IBM's cloud infrastructure, which together will deliver unparalleled performance, automation and global reach."

More about Magento in the Cloud
Magento is also facilitating cloud deployments by supporting flexible, custom cloud pricing and by developing cloud hosting educational resources for merchants. Pricing information can be obtained directly from the Magento sales team.

Details on cloud hosting trends, as well as recommendations for using Magento in the cloud, are available in a new whitepaper, "Understanding Magento Cloud Hosting," posted at our Magento Cloud Information Site.

Magento merchants also benefit from a broad set of Technology Partners offering commerce tools and features optimized for use with Magento, as well as an experienced network of Solution Partners who are well-versed in quickly deploying and scaling Magento in the cloud to support rapid growth.

IBM Cloud Computing
IBM is the global leader in open enterprise cloud enabling secure data and infrastructure integration in the cloud. For more information about cloud offerings from IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com/cloud. Follow us on Twitter at @IBMcloud and on our blog at www.thoughtsoncloud.com. Join the conversation #ibmcloud.

About eBay Enterprise
eBay Enterprise is a leading global provider of retail-optimized commerce solutions, including the Magento platform, order management, fulfillment, customer care, and marketing solutions. We enable brands and retailers of all sizes to deliver consistent omnichannel experiences across all retail touch points to attract and engage new customers, convert browsers into loyal buyers, and deliver products with speed and quality. With unrivaled flexibility and control, our clients are armed to accelerate sales growth and win with today's digitally connected consumer. eBay Enterprise is headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa. and has offices in Austin, Barcelona, London, Los Angeles, New York, and Shanghai. eBay Enterprise is an eBay Inc. (Nasdaq: EBAY) company. More information can be found at www.ebayenterprise.com and www.magento.com.