Cloudflare & Kyndryl enhance tech partnership in global alliance

Connectivity cloud enterprise firm Cloudflare and IT infrastructure services provider Kyndryl have taken their partnership to the next level by introducing a Global Strategic Alliance.

The announcement comes on the back of the pair's successful collaboration, which began in May 2023, on driving considerable changes in enterprise networking.

The magnified cooperation will see the companies produce a holistic solution to enable corporations to shift their existing network infrastructure onto the cloud. This will encompass the entire corporate network, employing Kyndryl's comprehensive services expertise across enterprise networking, and Cloudflare's substantial connectivity cloud, known for its security, performance, and multi-cloud adaptability.

Businesses across multiple global sectors, from supply chain distribution in the US and a premier financial institution in Spain to Ashok Leyland, a prominent commercial vehicle manufacturer in India, have utilised this impactful duo. The primary objective of this new alliance is to modernise enterprise infrastructures throughout the entire IT stack, streamlining connectivity to a myriad of clouds and data centres whilst also providing robust network security.

Some highlights of the extended partnership include accelerating digital maturity and network evolution, reducing spend on private network links, and diminishing IT teams' manual workload. There will also be a focus on extending network security to offices and data centres by replacing traditional WAN, and not least, prioritising sustainability. Cloudflare's connectivity cloud removes the need for hardware and conventional networking equipment. As a result, clients integrating Cloudflare's cloud-based services into their business model can expect to see a reduction in related carbon emissions of between 78% and 96%.

According to Vinod Gopinathan, CIO at Ashok Leyland, the services offered by the partnership are imperative for keeping the global IT infrastructure running smoothly. As one of the leading automotive manufacturers worldwide, they depend on having strong and secure networks, from managing their dealers to tracking vehicles. The managed services provided by Kyndryl, in tandem with Cloudflare's DDoS protection and mitigation solution, enable Ashok Leyland to focus on their technological innovation, advanced engineering and enhanced connectivity.

A shift to Cloudflare's global connectivity cloud and security services also has led to cost-effectiveness and improved operational efficiency for Kyndryl as Cloudflare currently safeguards the company's Internet properties. This transformation includes accelerated web traffic and increased data load balancing performance.

Paul Savill, Global Practice Leader of Networking and Edge Compute at Kyndryl, expressed excitement about the expanded partnership with Cloudflare, seeing it as an opportunity for enterprises to capitalise on advanced cloud features for heightened agility and innovation. He further emphasises the partnership's dedication to assisting clients in securing, streamlining and simplifying their IT infrastructure, while also reducing costs and enhancing operational competencies.

In a similar vein, Matt Harrell, Global Head of Channels and Alliances at Cloudflare, says that the duo of Kyndryl and Cloudflare provides a reliable, collaborative partnership that can support any enterprise in their entire network stack, regardless of their current positioning in their cloud journey.