The new IBM + Microsoft Experience Zone (MEZ) in Montreal, marks a significant milestone for the IBM-Microsoft strategic partnership globally. As the first MEZ in Canada, this innovative space embodies a unique co-creation environment where the latest hybrid cloud and AI technologies converge, setting a new standard for businesses navigating their digital transformation.

The Montreal MEZ showcases a range of leading industry solutions, leveraging premier platforms, Agentic workflows and Copilot, as well as cutting-edge IBM Technology like Maximo. It's not just about presenting technology; it's about demonstrating tangible business outcomes to our joint clients. Visitors can interact with Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and Proofs of Concept (PoCs) providing real-world insights into potential applications, which can accelerate decision-making across the enterprise.

Industry-leading productivity solutions

IBM and Microsoft are already partnering on many initiatives across Canada driving tangible productivity for Canadian Enterprises. Here are some examples.

At one of Canada’s leading banks, IBM and Microsoft are delivering a cloud-native solution to reduce new client on-boarding for cash management from 45 days to 4 hours. We are helping a mining company embed a generative-AI knowledge base for mining and exploration deeply into their process to reduce research and investigation cycles from months to minutes.

Together, we’re working with a major Canadian insurance company to drive straight-through processing for claims management. For this, we’re using a Document Intelligence Platform to provide real-time unstructured document capture and interpretation.  This is better for customers as they get their claims adjudicated quicker. It’s better for the client because cycle time is reduced significantly and therefore better for Canadian citizens and the economy at large.

Tailored solutions to improve customer experiences

The zone also boasts tailored solutions like Microsoft Copilot for Maximo, empowering field engineers with real-time, hands-free interactions with Maximo using natural language conversations. This provides massive productivity for asset-intensive industries where engineers are out in the field. It also improves data quality, significantly allowing engineers to capture data at the site, not having to wait until they return to an office and remove their safety equipment.

IBM’s consulting expertise combined with Microsoft’s advanced technologies

The Montreal Client Innovation Centre, home to the MEZ, offers a broad spectrum of technical consulting capabilities, from cloud computing and application development to cognitive analysis, artificial intelligence, and on-demand resources. This rich ecosystem ensures clients have access to the best professionals across disciplines and industries.

Montreal's MEZ becomes the fifth location globally, joining counterparts in Bangalore, India, Bucharest, Romania, Leicester, UK, and Buffalo, NY. Each MEZ facility covers critical areas like customer engagement, Power Platform, Azure Migration and Modernization, and Azure Data & AI, enabling clients to co-ideate and co-create agentic AI-powered solutions with IBM Consulting, harnessing the power of Azure OpenAI Service, Copilot, and other Microsoft technologies.

This strategic collaboration signifies our commitment to driving innovation and digital transformation in Canada. We're excited to open the doors of this consulting services hub and invite Canadian organizations to explore, learn, and collaborate, shaping their journey towards a more digitally advanced future.

We also welcome the rest of the world to come and co-create with us in Montreal, the melting pot of innovation for the world. Our doors are always open.