IBM unveils Bluemix Local 'accelerated' hybrid cloud platform

Updated service 'allows enterprises to quickly build apps in a secure manner and deploy them across public, private and on-premises environments'

IBM has expanded its Bluemix hybrid cloud platform to enable enterprises to "accelerate" cloud capabilities and allow them to more quickly build and deploy applications.

The announcement comes shortly after IBM revealed plans to extend its Watson platform to offer developers a new set of cognitive APIs, technologies and artificial intelligence tools through the Watson Developer Cloud.

According to IBM, the new Bluemix Local platform allows enterprise customers to use the "power of the cloud all while keeping your data secure". The Bluemix Local hybrid cloud programme enables enterprise users to develop apps behind their own firewall.

"With its write once, run anywhere feature, enterprises can now swiftly build and run apps in the cloud that stitch together existing systems and connect data and API's into a single environment, while keeping apps current across all platforms," IBM said in a statement.

The update is designed to be useful to regulated industries such as banking, healthcare and financial services, who must follow strict legal rules and internal policies for how security, compliance and sensitive customer data is handled outside of their corporate network.

New capabilities of Bluemix Local include relay technology, created by IBM's cloud development teams, which ensures all cloud data remains current by syncing updates across different environments, enabling users to access the same data, no matter where they are.

The cloud update also includes a new admin console designed to "put enterprises in control of their entire cloud platform" with visibility through a single dashboard encompassing public, private and on-premises Bluemix environments, including real-time releases, updates and patches.

Bluemix Local can also be synced with Watson Personality Insights API, allowing users to better understand their customer data.

"With the delivery of Bluemix Local, IBM now has the broadest spectrum of hybrid cloud capability in the industry," said Steve Robinson, general manager of cloud platform services at IBM.

"Developers are using APIs and building data-intensive apps at an explosive rate, but many, particularly those in heavily regulated industries, want the choice to keep sensitive workloads within their own data centre," he continued.

"Clients want options. Now, we are empowering developers to build, deploy and run next-generation apps in the environment they need, with the flexibility to shift across hybrid clouds in a simple click," Robinson concluded.

IBM launched Bluemix with a $1bn investment in 2014 and claims it now represents the largest Cloud Foundry deployment in the world.

A University of Michigan team recently revealed that it's using cognitive computing developed by IBM in its bid to win the Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a 1,800-mile race across the Australian Outback involving solar-powered cars.