How IBM & AWS are Making Procurement Better Across the World

IBM, a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI and consulting expertise, is extending its software portfolio to 92 countries in the AWS Marketplace, making it easier for people to procure and deploy IBM software on Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The expansion aims to streamline purchasing, create efficiencies, and enable clients to utilise their AWS committed spend for IBM software purchases.

What the world can expect to see

The AWS Marketplace, a digital catalogue featuring thousands of software listings from independent vendors, facilitates easy discovery, testing, purchasing, and deploying software compatible with Amazon Web Services (AWS). Extending beyond current availability in Denmark, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, this expansion simplifies procurement, streamlines purchasing. It fosters new efficiencies while leveraging clients' AWS committed spending for IBM software purchases.

Cloud marketplaces, like AWS Marketplace, are becoming the fastest-growing route to market for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) software, offering benefits such as shorter buying cycles and consolidated billing. A study by Canalys shows that the global cloud marketplace is expected to reach US$45bn billion by 2025, marking an 84% CAGR over five years. These marketplaces also expedite the buying cycle, streamline billing processes, and facilitate rapid scaling of software deployments.

"By expanding the availability of our software portfolio in AWS Marketplace, organisations  worldwide will have greater access to a streamlined way to procure many IBM AI and hybrid cloud offerings to help propel their business forward," says Nick Otto, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships, IBM.

"Our collaboration with AWS is a prime example of how we're working with other companies to meet clients' needs, make it as easy as possible for them to do business with IBM, and accelerate their transformation journeys."

What the partnership will mean for customers

The collaboration between IBM and AWS aims to empower customers to accelerate digital transformation and drive innovation at scale. IBM's portfolio includes AI and data technologies, such as Watsonx AI and Data platform components, as well as automation software, security solutions, and professional services.

The flexible licensing options and tailored industry-specific solutions offered on AWS Marketplace aim to meet the clients’ diverse needs worldwide, helping them scale quicker and leverage new cost and efficiency benefits.

"Both IBM and AWS play a huge role in our success," says Uri Bechar, vice president of software engineering at Redis.

"Part of my job is to ensure our organisation fulfils our committed spend with AWS and that the purchasing process is streamlined.

“Buying IBM software in AWS Marketplace gives us more flexibility, enables us to use our committed spend, and ultimately makes the entire process easier so we can deploy faster and start seeing value from our investments. I just go in, click accept, then I'm done."

What is on the AWS marketplace?

Today's news provides clients more access to IBM's artificial intelligence (AI) and data technologies within a portfolio of 44 listings and 29 SaaS offerings available for purchase. Included among those technologies are components of the Watsonx AI and Data platform, which allow enterprises to build, scale and govern AI workloads.

Watsonx.data, a fit-for-purpose data store built on an open data lakehouse architecture, and Watsonx.ai, a next-generation enterprise studio for AI builders are available in AWS Marketplace as well as two of IBM's AI Assistants — Watsonx Assistant and Watsonx Orchestrate. With Watsonx.governance expected to be available soon.

"IBM's global expansion with AWS Marketplace opens up innovation opportunities for our joint customers across the world," says Matt Yanchyshyn, General Manager AWS Marketplace and Partner Services at AWS.​​​​​​​

"By leveraging the speed and simplified procurement capabilities of AWS Marketplace, customers can now more easily access IBM's cutting-edge solutions, enabling them to accelerate their digital transformation and drive innovation at scale.

"This expanded collaboration between AWS and IBM reflects our shared commitment to empowering customers with the tools and resources they need to succeed in today's fast-paced environment."

IBM offers a range of software solutions, including Db2 Cloud Pak for Data, automation software like Apptio, Turbonomic, and Instana, and security and sustainability portfolios—all designed for AWS on Red Hat OpenShift Service. Flexible licensing options, such as SaaS and subscription models, cater to diverse client preferences.

Additionally, IBM is introducing 15 new IBM Consulting services and assets on AWS Marketplace, y crafted specifically  for AWS. These services address client needs in data and application modernization, security, and industry-specific solutions, integrating generative AI capabilities in select offerings. Backed by 24,000 AWS certifications, IBM Consulting delivers expert guidance aligned with industry best practices.

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