This article is part one of a four-part series by Mayer Brown on the latest trends in digital transformation. Read part two here.

We are increasingly seeing a deal model that we call a “Cloud+ Strategic Partnership.” In that model, a cloud provider agrees to provide discounts to and collaborate with a company in the development of new software that will run on the provider’s cloud infrastructure or cloud platform. The company gains cost savings for a cloud migration or building a new business on the cloud and, in some cases, a commitment from the cloud provider to bring cloud migration, development and engineering resources. In return, the cloud provider secures a long-term commitment for revenue for its cloud infrastructure or platform and, in the collaboration, may have access to industry knowledge and other know-how from the company.

Key Risks