Twitter and IBM announced a new partnership to give enterprises Twitter data through IBM tools and services. Essentially, it’s a combination of Twitter’s “public pulse” of real-time data and IBM’s cloud-based analytics, customer engagement platforms, and consulting services.

IBM will offer Twitter data as part of IBM Watson Analytics, Watson Developer Cloud and IBM Bluemix. There will also be joint solutions from the companies including one that will integrate Twitter data with IBM ExperienceOne customer engagement solutions for sales, marketing, and customer service purposes.

IBM Global Business Services users will be abel to access Twitter data , and the two companies will collaborate on solutions for specific industries like banking, consumer products, retail, travel, and transportation.

IBM President and CEO Ginni Rometty said, “Twitter provides a powerful new lens through which to look at the world – as both a platform for hundreds of millions of consumers and business professionals, and as a synthesizer of trends. This partnership, drawing on IBM’s leading cloud-based analytics platform, will help clients enrich business decisions with an entirely new class of data. This is the latest example of how IBM is reimagining work.”

“When it comes to enterprise transformation, IBM is an undisputed global leader in enabling companies to take advantage of emerging technologies and platforms,” added Twitter CEO Dick Costolo. “This important partnership with IBM will change the way business decisions are made – from identifying emerging market opportunities to better engaging clients, partners and employees.”

In a blog post, Twitter says the announcement has been “years in the making,” as its data efforts started when it first made its public data available for analysis. It cites its recent acquisition of Gnip as a significant milestone in its enterprise efforts.

Image via Twitter