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Facebook Is Planning To Move WhatsApp Off IBM's Public Cloud (cnbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the assuming-control dept.

Jordan Novet, reporting for CNBC: Facebook's WhatsApp messaging service, which is used by 1.2 billion people across the globe, is planning to move off of IBM's cloud and into Facebook's own data centers, according to a person familiar with the matter. The WhatsApp move, which could begin later this year, would result in IBM losing one of its top five public cloud customers, the source said. IBM's public cloud business lags behind Amazon Web Services (AWS), which is on top with 33 percent of the market in April, as well as Microsoft's Azure cloud, according to Synergy Research.

9 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. Man, IBM doesn't seem able to catch a break. by Lisandro · · Score: 2

    IBM's stock price has been in freefall since Jan 2017 and looks like it will reach 2015-2016 lows.

    1. Re:Man, IBM doesn't seem able to catch a break. by bhcompy · · Score: 2

      That's only the latest round. About 10 years ago they offered a bunch of remote services people the option of moving to various Eastern European locales to be closer to some customers, along with a pay cut, or be laid off. Apparently, supporting English speaking people on a different continent remotely means you can't do it in the US.

    2. Re:Man, IBM doesn't seem able to catch a break. by TWX · · Score: 2

      Frankly, as one that does not work for IBM, I am not in a position to know why they felt the need to recall their staff, but I would be very surprised if it's attributable to any single reason. Also, IBM historically has been one of the most conservative and least ageist technology services companies. Admittedly they might have changed since I last paid close attention, but I would be surprised if they'd changed solely as a means to shed older workers.

      I guess I look at it this way; if IBM performs poorly with the policy of work-from-home or otherwise telecommute, they're criticized for the policy. If they recall their staff in an attempt to determine why they're performing poorly, they're criticized for forcing their employees to change.

      Perhaps IBM should face a little bit of criticism for having a policy that essentially allowed the employee to live anywhere irrespective of an IBM facility, but perhaps it would have also been in employees' interest to be mindful of how far from the employer they live. It seems risky to live too far from one's employer simply because of the possibility of the job duties causing a change in workflow depending on circumstances and forcing a need to come in.

      --
      Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
  2. good riddance by nimbius · · Score: 2

    Softlayer, IBM's public cloud offering was acquired in 2013. in the 4 years its been headed up by Big Blue the service has gone from decent hosting provider to dumpster fire of penny stock spam and DDoS botnet herders.
    https://www.spamhaus.org/sbl/l...
    https://www.mailcleaner.net/bl...

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    Good people go to bed earlier.
    1. Re:good riddance by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2

      Ditto. I might know another "IBM shop" or two migrating from IBM cloud offering (the cool kids seem to be skipping right over Amazon and going to GCP these days). Not sure who's going to be left up there.

  3. Re:Context? by Lisandro · · Score: 2

    Only the most popular IM application in history, with over 1 billion users.

  4. Re:Context? by future+assassin · · Score: 2

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

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    by TheSpoom (715771) Uncaring Linux user here. I have nothing to add to this but please continue. *munches popcorn*
  5. Re:Context? by cheesybagel · · Score: 2

    I've had it with whatever is the latest IM fad. I've switched IM clients more often that I would care to remember.

  6. Re:Context? by Lisandro · · Score: 2

    FWIW, WA is insanely popular outside the US. I've lived both in South American and Western Europe and it seemed like everyone with a phone was using it.