IBM Expands Its Software Portfolio Globally on the Azure Marketplace
IBM has announced a significant expansion of its software offerings on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, broadening its reach to customers worldwide. This move is part of IBM’s strategic initiative to make its enterprise agile planning (EAP), IT financial management, and cloud FinOps solutions, specifically through the Apptio portfolio, more accessible to a global audience. By leveraging Microsoft’s Azure platform, IBM aims to streamline the purchasing process for customers, allowing them to utilize their existing Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitments.
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, IT leaders are under immense pressure to justify their spending and demonstrate the value of their investments, particularly with the advent of AI-driven computing needs. IBM Targetprocess, now available on the Azure Marketplace, is designed to help portfolio managers and finance teams navigate these challenges. This software enables them to plan and manage budgets effectively, aligning workforce efforts with various technological priorities. It incorporates industry best practices from technology business management (TBM) to optimize outcomes.
IBM Targetprocess is a native software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution that emerged from IBM’s acquisition of Apptio. It seamlessly integrates with Azure DevOps, offering simplified management, improved efficiencies, and potential cost savings. This integration is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to maximize their Microsoft Azure Consumption Commitments.
Enhancing Agile Project Management and Visibility
IBM Targetprocess has been recognized as a leader in both IDC’s MarketScape for Worldwide Value Stream Management and Agile Project and Portfolio Management and Gartner’s Enterprise Agile Planning Magic Quadrant. This recognition underscores its robust capabilities in enhancing Azure DevOps. The software provides end-to-end visibility, ensuring that all levels of an organization can align with their business practices. It supports various Agile frameworks, including the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), ensuring flexibility and adaptability to unique organizational needs.
Global Expansion of IBM Software on Azure
IBM’s expansion of its software portfolio on the Azure Marketplace now includes availability in 14 additional countries. This includes countries such as Australia, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, the Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. This global reach allows clients in these regions to purchase IBM software directly through the Azure Marketplace, leveraging their existing Azure investments.
The Azure Marketplace is a preferred platform for enterprise IT purchases, and IBM’s presence on it enables customers to acquire software in a manner that aligns with their operational preferences. This includes access to IBM technologies such as Aspera on Cloud SaaS, Netezza SaaS, SingleStoreDB SaaS, Streamsets, and webMethods Integration Suite. Additionally, IBM’s watsonx.ai, watsonx.data, and watsonx.governance are available as customer-managed services on the marketplace.
Collaboration Between IBM and Microsoft
Nick Otto, Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at IBM, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Thousands of clients are already using the Apptio portfolio to optimize their IT investments, but many of our joint customers need the flexibility to use it on the Microsoft DevOps platform. Bringing IBM Targetprocess to the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, along with expanded availability of other IBM Software around the world, enables us to support clients on their digital transformation journey with the ease and simplicity of purchasing on the marketplace.”
Dinis Couto, GM of GSI Commercial Partners at Microsoft, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the empowerment this collaboration offers to customers. He stated, “Today’s announcement illustrates how IBM and Microsoft are empowering customers to efficiently use IT resources and adapt to evolving tech needs, especially with the rise of cloud-based AI innovation. Our collaboration will enhance decision-making, increase productivity, and enhance IT management for organizations of all sizes.”
Furthermore, Microsoft has agreed to incorporate Apptio’s capabilities into parts of its own organization, showcasing the strategic alignment and mutual benefits of this partnership.
IBM’s Vision for Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Transformation
This collaboration with Microsoft is rooted in a shared vision for hybrid and multi-cloud business transformation. Both companies are committed to meeting customer needs by running workloads in the most suitable environments. IBM’s proven track record of delivering industry-first innovations and its status as one of Microsoft’s technology and consulting partners reinforce the strength of this collaboration.
IBM brings nearly 50 consulting offerings to the Azure Marketplace, focused on driving business transformation through hybrid cloud, generative AI, data and application modernization, security services, and industry-specific solutions. These offerings include IBM Consulting Azure OpenAI, IBM Consulting Connect 360, IBM Consulting Banking Operations GenAI Co-Pilot, and IBM Security Strategy Services for Microsoft Azure. IBM Consulting also boasts over 50,000 Microsoft certifications and a dedicated team of experts trained in the latest Microsoft technologies.
Future Developments and Offerings
IBM Targetprocess is the first Apptio product available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. IBM also plans to introduce IBM Apptio Costing and Planning to the marketplace by the end of 2024, with IBM Cloudability slated for availability to Microsoft customers in the coming year.
This expansion marks a significant step in IBM’s commitment to providing flexible and accessible solutions to its global customer base, empowering organizations to navigate the complexities of modern technology landscapes effectively.
About IBM
IBM is a leading global provider of hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting expertise. With operations in more than 175 countries, IBM helps clients leverage data insights, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge. Many government and corporate entities in essential infrastructure sectors rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift for their digital transformations. IBM’s innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting deliver open and flexible options to clients, underpinned by a commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.
For more information, visit IBM’s official website at www.ibm.com.
For further details on IBM Targetprocess for Azure DevOps, visit the Azure Marketplace [here](https://azuremarketplace.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/apps/ibm-usa-ny-armonk-hq-6275750-ibmcloud-asperia.ibm-targetprocess?tab=Overview).
To explore more about IBM Software on the Azure Marketplace, click [here](https://azuremarketplace.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/apps?search=IBM%20software&page=1).
For more Information, Refer to this article.
