By: Basel Khaled

IBM today announced that the availability of its software portfolio is expanding globally to 92 countries in AWS Marketplace, a digital catalog with thousands of software listings from independent software vendors (ISVs) that make it easy to find, test, buy, and deploy software that runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The expansion beyond Denmark, France, Germany, United Kingdom and United States, where the software is currently available, will help make procurement easier for clients, streamline purchasing and create new efficiencies, while allowing them to use their AWS committed spend for IBM software purchases.

According to a Canalys study, cloud marketplaces continue to emerge as the fastest-growing route to market for Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) software, expected to increase to US $45 billion by 2025, up 84% CAGR over five years.* Marketplaces also help shorten the buying cycle, consolidate billing, and make it easier to scale software deployments quickly.

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. Watsonx.governance is expected to be available soon.

“IBM’s global expansion with AWS Marketplace opens up innovation opportunities for our joint customers across the world,” said 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."

Other software includes IBM’s flagship database Db2 Cloud Pak for Data as well as a portfolio of automation software including Apptio, Turbonomic and Instana, and the IBM Security and Sustainability software portfolios - all built on Red Hat OpenShift Service on AWS. The cloud-native software enables clients to deploy on AWS while flexible licensing, including SaaS and subscription, makes it easier for clients to purchase exactly how they want.

IBM is also launching 15 new IBM Consulting professional services and assets on AWS Marketplace, exclusively designed for AWS. These new service offerings are aligned to client needs and demand, focused on data and application modernization, security services, and tailored industry-specific solutions – with generative AI capabilities included in select services. IBM Consulting also brings 24,000 AWS certifications and a dedicated team of experts trained in the latest AWS technologies to help clients with tailored recommendations grounded in industry best practices.

“By expanding the availability of our software portfolio in AWS Marketplace, organizations around the world will have greater access to a streamlined way to procure many IBM AI and hybrid cloud offerings to help propel their business forward,” said 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 the needs of clients, making it as easy as possible for them to do business with IBM and accelerate their transformation journeys.”

Tamer Abul Azm, Managing Partner at IBM Consulting Egypt said: "This expansion of IBM software availability in AWS Marketplace marks a pivotal step forward in our clients’ digital transformation journeys in Egypt. It unlocks new avenues for innovation, streamlines procurement processes, and amplifies our ability to leverage cutting-edge AI and data technologies. We're excited to see the impact this collaboration will have on driving growth and efficiency for enterprises across industries in Egypt."

To learn more about how purchasing IBM Software and solutions in AWS Marketplace is helping clients worldwide scale quicker and leverage new cost and efficiency benefits, please visit ibm.com/aws.