New tech, same enterprise playbook: OpenAI launches Frontier Alliances partner program

OpenAI announced Frontier Alliances, which is a set of system integrators and consultants aimed at deploying "AI coworkers" across enterprises. The ironic--somewhat comical--reality is that large language model (LLM) giants like OpenAI and Anthropic are expected to upend SaaS incumbents yet the playbook being used isn't original in any way. 

Yes folks, you have new enterprise software overlords, but it's the same model. Nothing gets done without consultants. LLM giants are cribbing the enterprise software playbook of partners and vertical focus not much different than what cloud providers did.

But I digress. 

The reality is all of these frontier models, AI agents and AI coworkers need process knowhow and connective tissue. You may be pitched an easy button, but there isn't one. Vendors need the partner ground game.

• OpenAI’s 2026 focus on practical AI points to enterprise
• OpenAI doubles down on health, targets providers and patients
• OpenAI launches OpenAI Frontier, aims to be AI agent orchestrator
• Anthropic, OpenAI look to Accenture for partner scale

With that backdrop, OpenAI's alliances with Boston Consulting Group (BCG)⁠, McKinsey & Company⁠, Accenture⁠ and Capgemini⁠ is designed to give the company's Frontier platform, which manages AI agents, throughput. After all, Anthropic has the same partners for Claude as do all of the existing enterprise giants such as Google Cloud, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Salesforce, ServiceNow and a host of others. 

In a blog post, OpenAI noted that its partner network will work with its forward deployed engineers (FDEs). "Each partner is investing in dedicated practice groups and building teams that will be certified on OpenAI technology. OpenAI will support them with technical resources, roadmap insight, and access to our product and research teams," said OpenAI. 

See: Forward deployed engineers: The promise, peril in AI deployments

OpenAI noted the following:

• BCG and McKinsey will offer strategy and consulting vision services. 
• Accenture and Capgemini advise on strategy and then integrate OpenAI Frontier. 
• The Frontier platform is available to a limited set of customers with more availability in the months ahead. This partner effort is plowing the road to a more scaled enterprise software sales effort.

In the end, OpenAI and Anthropic may totally blow up SaaS, but the model is going to resemble the same one that’s gobbled up your budget for years. 

• SaaS under the microscope: How to evaluate your vendor
• Why enterprise AI leaders need to bank on open-source LLMs
• LLM giants need to build apps, ecosystems to go with the models