Arrow Electronics unveils AI assistant for cloud business

Arrow Electronics, a global technology solutions provider, has unveiled the first release of the industry's maiden AI companion, designed to optimise cloud business administration. Named ArrowSphere Assistant, this AI-led cloud business assistant is anticipated to uncover new business prospects, amplify efficiencies, and reveal new revenue options for channel partners steering their cloud business via ArrowSphere Cloud.

Built with the boon of Microsoft Azure AI, the ArrowSphere Assistant makes workflows sleek and guides channel partners towards informed and timely decisions, ultimately enhancing their service delivery to customers. The Assistant assists in generating detailed reports, providing recommendations, formulating communications rooted in findings, and converting untapped business insights into new business potential and productive time at work.

Eric Gourmelen, vice president and CTO of ArrowSphere at Arrow, stated, "We're providing a tool that can reshape how our channel partners comprehend and manage their cloud business and those of their customers." He further added that the ArrowSphere Assistant makes the most of "generative AI technology combined with the robust business data in ArrowSphere Cloud, to provide unprecedented quality of answers to channel partner inquiries."

ArrowSphere Assistant provides channel partners with in-depth data and visual aids across many areas, thereby making cloud management faster, better-informed, and more efficient. The areas span business operations, security operations, and financial operations. In business operations, it uncovers new business opportunities through guided hot spots for additional focus. In security operations, when coupled with the ArrowSphere Cloud security dashboard, the Assistant provides practical security intelligence. Moreover, it offers remediation recommendations in minutes. Finally, in financial operations, the AI-powered assistant assists with consolidating consumption figures, breaking down billing statements, and predicting clear revenue forecasts based on current subscription conditions.

Arrow closely collaborated with Microsoft to adapt the underlying technology of this tool at scale. The early feedback from channel partners is optimistic and expects ArrowSphere Assistant to significantly affect partner performance and profitability. Microsoft Chief Partner Officer and CVP Nicole Dezen echoes this sentiment, "The AI-powered assistant in ArrowSphere Cloud is a game-changer for those managing cloud services. It drives great efficiencies and profitability in minutes instead of weeks or months."

The announcement has been well received by industry insiders. Paul Edwards, director of software channels and ecosystems at global market intelligence firm IDC, applauds the innovation: "It's great to see a tool like this offered on a distribution platform. The functionality is impressive. With ArrowSphere Assistant, channel partners should be able to recognise operational performance gains, and potentially drive more business opportunities."

ArrowSphere Assistant is now available to ArrowSphere Cloud users via request as part of its early access stage.