Customers and Vendors come together

Hi Folks...I am trying to do a short post on the scenarios where customers and vendors (this may be in any field of business, not just IT) come together and form a partnership or joint venture and service other companies.

I would like to tell you where I am coming from:
In the IT industry, for instance, vendors/consultants create IT systems for customers doing business under various industry sections such as bankinng, manufacturing, life sciences. In this scenario, the vendors have the computer knowhow to build stable and robust computer solutions to everyday business problems. The customers, on the other hand, have the subject matter experts who understand what these systems should look like.

This coming together of two fields of businesses produces a huge knowledge base for both the companies. I wonder if the two companies can package and sell this knowledge base to other companies in similar business areas.

Your comments will be appreciated !