Forbidden Technologies (LON:FBT), the company behind the development of a Cloud-based video editing system, has signed an agreement with global systems integrator Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) which will allow the technology giant to build Cloud services running Forbidden’s FORscene platform. This is a significant development for Forbidden, which has deliberately targeted partnerships with systems integrators as a means of expanding its market presence. The Forbidden Technologies share price jumped by 18% to 35.5p during the morning.

FORscene is a powerful internet video platform that is used by broadcasters but is also targeted at the professional web video, education and consumers markets. Today’s news came as Forbidden updated the market on its systems integrator strategy, which was launched last year. To date, three such agreements have been signed, including the latest Ericsson deal. These agreements allow systems integrators to build and sell their own Cloud servers, running Forbidden's software, and to provide FORscene to their customers around the world.

Forbidden said it expected that revenues from deals being discussed between the systems integrators and each of their clients would be larger than a typical individual direct sale to broadcast post-production clients. In recent months, the company has signed deals with two regional and one global systems integrator. Whilst these deals have yet to result in an order for a complete Cloud system, the systems integrators are actively promoting FORscene to potential clients. The company noted that money from preliminary work was “already starting to trickle in”.

Although the major step change in revenue resulting from customers of the systems integrators did not come through in the last quarter of 2010, Forbidden said it was pleased with the organic growth in both customer numbers and size of orders for its own Cloud servers, and the ability of its Cloud infrastructure to support this growth. Click here to read a recent Stockopedia interview with Forbidden’s chief executive, Stephen Streater.

Commenting today, Mr Streater said: “The willingness of systems integrators to adopt FORscene validates Forbidden's strategy of approaching them during last year. Their access to world markets will make a significant impact on Forbidden's chances of being a major player in the market for professional Cloud-based video tools.”

Greg Hirst, business development director of Forbidden, added: “All the systems integrators mention the need for patience in our dealings with…

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