IBM Named Top-Tier Software Vendor by APPS RUN THE WORLD in the APPS and CLOUD TOP 500 Market Report

IBM Strengths, Domain Expertise, and Key Differentiators

IBM sees the hybrid cloud and AI as its clear path to growth. Companies have an urgent need to move mission-critical work to the cloud due to the pandemic and the shift to work from home. IBM aims to deliver for clients through the Red Hat OpenShift cloud platform and add-on Cloud Paks. IBM’s industry-leading security makes its cloud safe and compliant for regulated industries. IBM’s services team has the expertise to help clients migrate to the cloud and leverage apps to maximize their success.

IBM's research and development (R&D) operations differentiate the company from its competitors. IBM annually invests 7 to 8 percent of total revenue for R&D, focusing on high-growth, high-value opportunities. IBM Research works with clients and the company's business units through global labs on near-term and mid-term innovations. It delivers many new technologies to IBM's portfolio every year and helps clients address their most difficult challenges. IBM Research scientists are conducting pioneering work in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, blockchain, security, cloud, nanotechnology, silicon and post-silicon computing architectures and more—applying these technologies across industries including healthcare, IoT, education and financial services.

IBM Recent Developments

In May 2023 IBM unveiled its latest innovation, IBM Watsonx, an AI and data platform poised to revolutionize the way enterprises harness the power of artificial intelligence. In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, enterprises are increasingly turning to AI to gain a competitive edge.

The adoption of AI has been hindered by challenges related to scalability, data trustworthiness, and governance. With IBM watsonx, IBM aims to address these challenges by providing a full technology stack that encompasses AI development, training, tuning, deployment, and governance – all within a unified platform that can seamlessly operate across any cloud environment. At the core of IBM watsonx is an AI development studio, offering businesses access to a vast repository of IBM-curated and trained foundation models, as well as open-source models.

This access empowers enterprises to leverage cutting-edge AI capabilities without the need for extensive expertise in AI model development. Additionally, IBM watsonx provides a robust data store, facilitating the gathering and cleansing of training and tuning data. This ensures that enterprises can access high-quality, trustworthy data to fuel their AI initiatives, further enhancing the accuracy and reliability of AI models.

IBM's recent introduction of IBM Business Analytics Enterprise reflects its commitment to empowering enterprises with comprehensive data-driven decision-making capabilities amidst evolving disruptions. This suite of business intelligence tools encompasses planning, budgeting, reporting, forecasting, and dashboard functionalities, providing users with a holistic perspective of data sources across their organizations.

A notable addition to this suite is the IBM Analytics Content Hub, which enables users to access planning and analytics dashboards from various vendors within a unified interface tailored to their unique requirements. IBM Cognos Analytics with Watson and IBM Planning Analytics with Watson, both AI-powered solutions, have also received enhancements such as improved integration capabilities and advanced forecasting functionalities, allowing users to make more informed decisions by considering multiple factors and seasons in trend predictions.

The upcoming availability of IBM Planning Analytics with Watson as a service on AWS underscores IBM's commitment to providing flexible and scalable solutions to its customers. This product enhancement aligns with IBM's broader strategy of enabling businesses to leverage data effectively through seamless integration and analytics across different environments, thus empowering them to navigate uncertainties and drive success in today's dynamic business landscape.

In June 2021, Schlumberger and IBM announced the industry’s first commercial hybrid cloud Enterprise Data Management Solution for the OSDU Data Platform. The hybrid cloud offering is designed to expand access to customers globally—including those in locations where data residency requirements and local regulations may affect the use of the global public cloud—and is engineered to reduce time for analysis and accelerate decision-making, with all workflow data available in one place. In October, IBM launched the IBM Environmental Intelligence Suite, which leverages AI to help organizations prepare for and respond to weather and climate risks, assess their own impact on the planet, and reduce the complexity of regulatory compliance.

IBM Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Activities

IBM's recent acquisition of Databand.ai marks a significant milestone in its strategic expansion of hybrid cloud and AI capabilities. With a focus on enhancing data observability, Databand.ai's innovative software empowers organizations to proactively identify and resolve issues within their data pipelines, safeguarding against errors, failures, and quality issues before they impact business outcomes.

This acquisition aligns with IBM's broader strategy of investing in AI and automation technologies to drive operational efficiency and innovation. As IBM's fifth acquisition in 2022 and part of a larger trend of over 25 acquisitions since Arvind Krishna assumed the role of CEO in April 2020, the integration of Databand.ai's solutions with IBM Observability by Instana APM and IBM Watson Studio strengthens IBM's position in providing end-to-end observability solutions across IT operations, ensuring greater reliability and performance for clients in today's data-driven landscape.

In January 2022 IBM acquired Envizi, a prominent data and analytics software provider specializing in environmental performance management. This strategic acquisition, which closed on January 11, 2022, marks a significant milestone for IBM as it continues to expand its portfolio of AI-powered solutions. IBM's decision to acquire Envizi is a testament to the growing importance of sustainability in today's business landscape.

Envizi's cutting-edge software offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to automate the collection, consolidation, and analysis of environmental data. With support for over 500 data types and compatibility with major sustainability reporting frameworks, Envizi's platform empowers organizations to effectively manage their environmental goals, identify efficiency opportunities, and assess sustainability risks. Envizi's software, which is already trusted by leading brands such as Microsoft, Qantas, CBRE, and Uber, fills a critical need in the market for robust environmental management solutions.

In June 2021, IBM closed its acquisition of Turbonomic, Inc., an Application Resource Management (ARM) and Network Performance Management (NPM) software provider. In July, IBM announced an agreement to acquire Bluetab Solutions Group, S.L. to extend its portfolio of data and hybrid cloud consulting services. IBM announced plans to acquire BoxBoat Technologies, a premier DevOps consultancy and enterprise Kubernetes-certified service provider. In October, IBM announced plans to acquire the Adobe Workfront consulting unit, which specializes in work management consulting for enterprise clients. In November, IBM announced plans to acquire cybersecurity solutions company ReaQta.

IBM Customers in ARTW Customer Database

Leveraging a rigorous data-centric research methodology, APPS RUN THE WORLD asks the simple question: Who’s buying IBM applications and why? And we provide the answers – supported by decades of research – to our clients around the world. Our Customer database has over 100 data fields that detail company usage of IBM and other enterprise apps by function, customer size, industry, location, implementation status, partner involvement, Line of Business Key Stakeholders and IT decision makers contact details. List of Verified IBM SPSS, IBM Maximo Asset Performance Management, IBM Procurement, Kenexa, Cognos, IBM Watson, IBM Planning Analytics, IBM Clinical Development, IBM TRIRIGA Building Insights customers.

IBM Key Enterprise and Cloud Applications

IBM SPSS, IBM Maximo Asset Performance Management, IBM Procurement, Kenexa, Cognos, IBM Watson, IBM Planning Analytics, IBM Clinical Development, IBM TRIRIGA Building Insights

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IBM Direct vs Indirect sales

IBM Customers - Breakdown by Geo, Size, Vertical and Product

List of Verified IBM Customers

No. of IBM Customers: 50000

No. of IBM Enterprise Applications Customers: 50000

No. of IBM Cloud Customers: x

No. of IBM Cloud Subscribers: x

IBM has more than 50,000 customers around the world.

IBM Watson is helping produce better decision-making and business outcomes through more than 20,000 client engagements, across 20 industries to date.

IBM Blockchain now powers more than 500 client projects, with more than 85 active networks transforming supply chains, global shipping and cross-border finance.

IBM Security, the world’s largest cybersecurity enterprise, has 8,000 subject matter experts serving more than 17,000 clients in more than 130 countries.

Among IBM biggest customers are, Microsoft, HP, Cisco, Dell, Oracle, Intel, Google, VMWare, Toshiba and Nortel.

IBM Market Opportunities, M&A and Geo Expansions

In October 2023 IBM's latest strategic move involved the acquisition of Manta Software Inc., a renowned data lineage platform, signaling a significant step forward in bolstering its capabilities within the realm of AI, data, and governance. In a world where data complexity is on the rise, understanding the lineage and provenance of data has emerged as a critical concern for enterprises.

Through this acquisition, IBM aims to integrate Manta's data lineage capabilities into its watsonx suite of offerings, enhancing transparency and trust within AI and data governance processes. With Manta's solutions, businesses leveraging IBM's platform can ascertain the origin and evolution of their data, identify potential discrepancies in data flows, and mitigate risks associated with sensitive data exposure and regulatory compliance.

This acquisition marks IBM's eighth acquisition of 2023, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to bolstering its hybrid cloud and AI capabilities under the leadership of CEO Arvind Krishna. As IBM continues to expand its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, the integration of Manta's data lineage platform underscores the company's dedication to helping businesses navigate the complexities of the modern data landscape while driving innovation and trust in AI-powered solutions.

In January 2023, IBM unveiled the IBM Partner Plus program marking a strategic shift in the company's approach to collaborating with its business partners, ushering in a new era of accessibility and support.

This initiative signifies IBM's commitment to empowering its partners with the tools and resources necessary to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape. By offering enhanced access to IBM's wealth of resources, incentives, and tailored assistance, Partner Plus aims to not only deepen technical proficiency but also accelerate time to market for innovative solutions.

The program's tiered structure, comprising Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels, reflects a nuanced recognition of partners' evolving capabilities and contributions, providing tailored support and rewards accordingly. The consolidation of various partner types and programs within a unified ecosystem streamlines collaboration and fosters synergistic relationships.

Overall, IBM Partner Plus represents a forward-looking strategy poised to bolster both the success of IBM's partners and the company's position in the competitive marketplace.

In April 2021, IBM acquired myInvenio, a process mining software company based in Reggio Emilia, Italy. The acquisition will provide organizations with data-driven software that should help them identify the most impactful business processes to automate using AI – including sales, procurement, production, and accounting.

It also further advances IBM's hybrid cloud and AI strategy, providing customers with a comprehensive suite of AI-powered automation capabilities for business automation. With the acquisition of myInvenio, IBM will help companies overcome the challenge of streamlining business processes that are cumbersome or create bottlenecks, slowing down innovation and increasing costs.

IBM Risks and Challenges

As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, businesses must remain agile and adaptive to meet changing customer needs and market dynamics. One significant risk for IBM lies in its ability to anticipate and respond to shifts in customer preferences, competitive actions, disruptive technologies, and emerging business models and ecosystems.

Failure to do so could result in declining demand for IBM's products and services or increased costs associated with adapting to these changes. IBM's success hinges on its ability to innovate and deliver value-added solutions that address evolving customer requirements and market trends.

IBM possesses a wealth of expertise and resources, but it faces inherent risks associated with market volatility, technological disruption, and changing customer preferences. To mitigate these risks, IBM must remain proactive in identifying emerging trends, investing in innovation, and delivering value-added solutions that resonate with customers in an ever-changing digital landscape.

IBM responded to recent years’ major disruptions in global business by focusing on workforce resiliency. In January 2020, they mobilized IBM’s Corporate Crisis Management Team (CCMT) at the earliest signs of a potential pandemic, relying on IBM’s established response plans for Ebola and SARS. In early March, they transitioned 95 percent of IBM’s global workforce to remote work in a matter of days, leveraging the IBM hybrid cloud. Throughout 2020, they provided key tools, wellness and mental health guidance, and management support to help employees stay safe and sane. As they prepare for a safe post-COVID workplace, they are committed to adjusting their people management approach to the new normal. IBM will apply design thinking to how employees use hybrid office space in purpose-driven ways. They must keep current with skills retraining and recruiting as accelerated digital transformation drives a tighter tech skills job market.

IBM Ecosystem, Partners, Resellers and SI

IBM's recent partnership with SAP signifies a strategic collaboration aimed at empowering clients to embrace a hybrid cloud approach seamlessly.

By combining IBM's advanced technology and consulting expertise with SAP's industry-leading solutions, the partnership aims to facilitate the migration of mission-critical workloads from SAP environments to the cloud, catering to both regulated and non-regulated industries.

Through initiatives like BREAKTHROUGH with IBM for RISE with SAP, IBM is introducing a comprehensive portfolio of solutions and consulting services tailored to accelerate the transition to SAP S/4HANA Cloud. This partnership not only underscores IBM's commitment to driving innovation but also positions it as the first cloud provider to offer infrastructure, business transformation, and application management services as part of RISE with SAP, further enhancing the value proposition for clients seeking to leverage SAP solutions on the IBM Cloud platform.

To accelerate the consumption of its hybrid cloud platform, IBM has elevated the role of partners and also rapidly expanded its ecosystem by adding hundreds of new partnerships. In August 2021, IBM and Black & Veatch collaborated to jointly market Asset Performance Management (APM) solutions, including remote monitoring technologies that combine near real-time data analytics with AI to help customers keep equipment and assets running at peak performance.

IBM has a global presence, operating in more than 175 countries with a broad-based geographic distribution of revenue. The company's Global Markets organization manages IBM's global footprint, working closely with dedicated country-based operating units to serve clients locally. These country teams have client relationship managers who lead integrated teams of consultants, solution specialists, and delivery professionals to enable clients' growth and innovation. IBM is expected to expand its global SaaS business partner community now that it’s scaling out its data center operations through the recent acquisition of SoftLayer, which already serves 21,000 customers with an infrastructure made up of 100,000 servers that support 22 million domains.

IBM Cloud Infrastructure Insights

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Research Methodology

Data used in research reports are derived from publicly available documents, continuous surveys of applications vendors, customers, resellers, Independent Software Vendors, systems integrators and other verifiable sources.

Vendor shares and market forecast results are based on a combination of existing databases as well as demand side and supply side research conducted throughout the year with validation from vendors, customers, channel partners and documentations such as earnings releases and 10Q and 10K filings, vertical industry studies, regional and country-level statistics from public and private institutions(i.e. colleges, universities, government agencies and trade associations).

For additional information on our methodologies, here's the link: