IBM debuts cloud portfolio aimed at C-Suite

Perhaps as further evidence that IT doesn't concern just the CTO or CIO anymore, IBM is rolling out a new portfolio of cloud services aimed at the entire C-level executive deck.

Arguably the easiest (and maybe best) way to get the attention of everyone from chief supply chain officers to the CEO is proving the dollar value the cloud can offer.

Thus, much of IBM's new suite of products focus on social media, big data, and how the two work together to improve business results.

To get this done, IBM is already tapping into the resources that came with its recent acquisition of on-demand cloud hosting firm SoftLayer.

With a deal that was said to be worth roughly $2 billion, SoftLayer will be operating both as a standalone unit but also closely in conjunction with IBM's SmartCloud unit.

The cloud suites for the C-level executives fall under the SmartCloud umbrella.

A full list of the new services is available from IBM. Products range from internal housekeeping measures around human resources recruitment (in line with IBM's Smarter Workforce initiative) to CRM tools tapping into IBM's Watson supercomputer.

IBM is especially reaching out to chief marketing officers, many of whom are working far more closely with chief information and chief technology officers as social platforms from the likes of IBM, Adobe, Salesforce and others continue to build platforms that bridge the two departments.

Thus, Big Blue is targeting CMOs with its new Social Media Analytics platform that taps into Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other social media forums to gain visibility of consumer perception. CMOs can then turn around and refine products for better targeting.