News in the Channel - issue #15

LENOVO

CONTINUED AI influence

A part of that transformational journey is the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI). Ralf cites an article by Gartner, which predicts that by 2025, 80% of end users will implement some form of AI and machine learning. “That's coming from a very low base at the beginning of 2023,” he says. “It shows that AI is everywhere. The important part is that the possibilities around AI are massive potentially for Lenovo as a vendor. On the one hand, we have a portfolio that has more than 70 AI infrastructure platforms. But even more importantly, it's about helping customers, and that's the role that I see for the channel to show customers how they can leverage and drive business impact with AI. We need to make it practical and real and to drive benefits.” Ralf adds that Lenovo has been investing in AI for some years – there are four Lenovo AI centres of excellence situated around the world – and the company has the Lenovo AI Innovator programme. “This has more than 150 solutions that are industry-based; healthcare, manufacturing, retail to name just some of the key industries where already today those solutions are tested and can be implemented, running on Lenovo hardware,” Ralf says. “It also gives the channel an opportunity to lead the discussion of AI. It is going to be important to do this and help businesses understand how it can be used to drive and optimise website traffic, for example. It's about ongoing learning and helping to visualise the benefits that the technology can bring to different businesses.”

Transforming cities with Edge AI

Positive outlook The rapidly accelerating potential for AI is helping to fuel Ralf’s positivity for Lenovo and the wider channel in 2024. “We are in an environment where skilled resources are critical; we don't have enough skills in many technologies to really satisfy everybody. But the good thing if you are a channel partner is you can really play within that environment, create your value proposition, be focused, be adaptable, be flexible, and then make a lot of money,” he says. “When it comes to Lenovo as a vendor partner, I believe we have a portfolio and there are not so many players left in the industry that is really spending. Lenovo is also a challenger in the infrastructure market too. “I mentioned about the new sandbox on edge. That enables partners to have fresh discussions and really position themselves differently to many others in the market. I believe Lenovo has a very strong portfolio that enables channel partners to win. I'm very positive about the prospects for 2024.”

There are four Lenovo AI centres of excellence situated around the world – and the company has the Lenovo “

AI Innovator programme.

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