IBM Research  and communications systems maker Polycom  are teaming up to develop next generation video conferencing solutions. This is the latest collaboration between Big Blue and its long term partner, and it might prove to be a most significant one.

What’s on the agenda? The two firms say they are responding to an increase in demand for cloud-based video services, and the plan is to create the technology that will allow them to stand out in the market.

The project revolves around Polycom’s RealPresence software, which will be offered to customers as a video-as-a-service solution. The goal is to optimize the platform for private, public and hybrid clouds, and making sure its compatible with the security and performance standards required in these types of environments. Once this is done, IBM and the firm will work on making RealPresence compatible with hardware from other vendors, and mobile support is also going to be thrown into the mix further down the road.

“At its heart, this collaboration with IBM is about laying the foundation for more RealPresence innovation in the cloud. Working with IBM, we’re taking a world-class solution and co-developing technologies to help customers –- who are increasingly looking to the cloud for video collaboration applications -– better communicate, collaborate, and be more productive,” said Sudhakar Ramakrishna, president of products and services at Polycom.

IBM is doing its best to stay ahead of the curve across multiple verticals. The newest addition to the company’s mainframe line-up touts built in analytical capabilities, and as-a-service is also among of the firm’s top priorities.

Back at IBM Edge, way before the latest extension to IBM’s alliance with Polycom, the Big Blue debuted a new cloud services portfolio for developers that spanns IaaS, PaaS and SaaS.