IBM and NEC debuted a new offering that integrated technology from both companies to create what GigaOm has referred to as a controller-and-switch combo. The solution is based on Open Flow, the Stanford-developed open-source protocol that can be used to power software-defined networks.

NEC’s controller and IBM’s switch have been integrated to enable enterprises to deploy technology using pre-defined configurations and other means to simplify roll-out and operations. The two companies are trying to tap a potentially very big market opportunity, driven by the new open technology.

Cisco can get into servers, but IBM isn’t going to let the networking giant step into IBM’s territory without a fight, and Big Blue knows how to fight. It has teamed up with NEC to deliver an Open Flow-based controller-and-switch combo that tries to find the sweet spot in software-defined networking between expensive, proprietary gear from Cisco or Juniper and the brand-new, open sourced stuff that startups and webscale companies are peddling.

IBM is jumping on new trends as a part of the adaptation that has kept the tech veteran around for over a century. In addition to Open Flow, Big Blue is also looking towards cloud services, and recently launched one that will be directly competing with Google Apps. IBM Docs is the latest addition to the company’s SmartCloud portfolio – a web-based collaboration platform that’s integrated with Lotus, an already a well-known name and even more so, a widely used product.

Earlier we also learned that IBM is venturing into the social enterprise. Along with DachisGroup, it will be offering social business training and certification, as a part of a program that includes online courses designed to educate employees on how to use related software