IBM Study: C-Suite Executives Declare One-Vendor Approach to Cloud is Dead

Industry-related regulatory compliance is a significant obstacle for 64 percent of respondents, resulting in an uptick of specialized cloud adoption
Despite escalating cyber-attacks, a third of respondents do not have security as their top priority

ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 28, 2021 — According to the results of IBM’s new global study on cloud transformation there has been a drastic shift in business needs as only three percent of respondents reported using a single private or public cloud in 2021, down from 29 percent in 2019 – establishing hybrid cloud as the dominant IT architecture.

The global study, conducted by IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) in cooperation with Oxford Economics, surveyed almost 7,200 C-suite executives across 28 industries and 47 countries. The findings indicate that the cloud market has entered the hybrid, multicloud era and concerns around vendor lock-in, security, compliance and interoperability remain paramount. The study found:

Cyber threats are at an all-time high

  • Infrastructure complexity is creating cracked doors that cybercriminals are exploiting.
  • Yet, surprisingly more than a third of respondents did not indicate improving cybersecurity and reducing security risks are among their largest business and IT investments.
  • At the same time, 80 percent said data security being embedded throughout the cloud architecture is important or extremely important, in most cases, to successful digital initiatives.

Companies are denouncing vendor lock-in

  • Nearly 79 percent of respondents said workloads being completely portable with no vendor lock-in is important or extremely important to the success of their digital initiatives.
  • Nearly 69 percent of respondents said vendor lock-in is a significant obstacle to improving business performance in most or all parts of their cloud estate.

Public cloud adoption is evolving towards industry clouds

  • Nearly 70 percent of respondents in the government and financial services sectors cited industry-related regulatory compliance as an obstacle to the business performance of their cloud estate.

“In the beginning of their cloud journey, many companies dabbled with several different clouds that created complexity and disconnected piece parts, potentially opening them up to major security threats,” said Howard Boville, Head of IBM Cloud Platform. “Today’s finding reiterate that security, governance and compliance tools must run across multiple clouds and be embedded throughout hybrid cloud architectures from the onset for digital transformations to be successful.”

The study revealed that enterprises need to assess how they use the cloud in terms of adoption, velocity, migration, speed, and cost savings opportunity. Other recommendations include:

  • Focus on security and privacy – determine where your critical workloads reside and scrutinize who and what has access to them. Regularly test that security controls and privacy policies are being adhered to, but also that improperly configured assets and software vulnerabilities are being promptly addressed.
  • Ask which workloads should move to the cloud – take inventory of the IT environment to successfully determine which workloads and applications will yield the most value in the cloud and which are better suited to stay on-premises.
  • Make data work for you – analyze workloads using AI driven tools and best practices to determine where and how to put them in the right place for the right reason.
  • Set a tactical approach – address the technology trade-offs, such as selecting the best approach to modernize specific applications and manage important issues like security, governance, and disaster recovery.
  • Determine the right team – put a cross-disciplinary team of people to work rethinking how your enterprise creates value for its customers.

Additional findings from the 2021 report

  • By industry: Respondents in regulated industries, government (85 percent) and financial services (80 percent), cited governance and compliance tools being able to run across multiple clouds as important to success of digital initiative.
  • By industry: Only 1 percent of respondents in the electronics, insurance, manufacturing, telco, transportation and travel industries, reported using a single private or public cloud in 2021.

IBM Announces Advances and New Collaborations in AI-Powered Automation, 5G Connectivity and Security at Mobile World Congress Los Angeles

IBM collaborates with Boston Dynamics, Cisco, Palo Alto Networks and Turnium Technology Group to help equip businesses in next phase of digital transformation
IBM AI-powered automation software, including IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation, and services from IBM Consulting, to help drive industry innovation and 5G adoption

ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 26, 2021 — Today IBM announced new collaborations and expanded partner relationships to further the company’s capabilities in hybrid cloud, AI, network automation and security at Mobile World Congress Los Angeles (MWC LA). These innovations highlight IBM’s role in helping the telecommunications industry evolve as 5G and Edge Computing redefine how business and consumers connect.

IBM continues to make major strides in helping CSPs adopt AI and automation on open hybrid cloud platforms, as well as standards to remain in control of where and how they deploy their network services, edge computing, and enterprise offerings. By leveraging IBM’s AI-powered automation software, such as IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation, and services through IBM Consulting, IBM will help drive innovation for CSPs through its systems integration capabilities; the application of technology to create ever more intelligent workflows; and support modernizing applications so enterprises can deliver at scale in a world of hybrid cloud environments.

At MWC LA, IBM is announcing the following innovations, which are designed to equip businesses for the next stage of their digital journeys:

  • A new collaboration between Boston Dynamics and IBM is focused on delivering data analysis at the edge to help companies address worker safety, optimize field operations, and boost maintenance productivity in industrial environments such as manufacturing facilities, power plants and warehouses. Enabled by AI and hybrid cloud innovations from IBM Research, IBM Consulting will develop edge payloads that integrate with Spot, the agile, mobile robot from Boston Dynamics. Boston Dynamics and IBM will announce these new innovations during the joint keynote at Mobile World Congress LA. For more information, read the blog: https://newsroom.ibm.com/Boston-Dynamics-and-IBM-Join-Forces-to-Bring-Mobile-Edge-Analytics-to-Industrial-Operations
  • Cisco and IBM are expanding their relationship, and will integrate key offerings, including IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation and Cisco Crosswork Network Automation software, to enable orchestration and management of virtual 5G networks. For more information, read the blog: https://newsroom.ibm.com/IBM-and-Cisco-Collaborate-to-Help-Enable-Orchestration-and-Management-of-5G-Networks
  • Palo Alto Networks and IBM are extending their relationship to help address the unique security requirements for telecom operators deploying 5G Networks and Edge services. The companies are working to deliver joint security solutions and services designed for 5G networks and ecosystems. The collaboration provides automation and orchestration to help create secure 5G network slices that are designed to enable new revenue streams for Network Operators. Leveraging Palo Alto Networks containerized NGFW (CN-Series), container security solution Prisma Cloud Compute Edition, IBM Cloud Pak for Network Automation and IBM Security Services, the joint solution is being designed to enable agility and optimal threat detection based on deep visibility of 5G traffic. IBM and Palo Alto Networks will demonstrate a 5G Network Slice with Validation, Security Orchestration & Response at Mobile World Congress LA.
  • Turnium Technology Group is announcing a commitment to bring Technology Assurance Group’s (TAG) network of managed technology service providers to IBM Cloud for Telecommunications. The collaboration between Turnium and IBM helps Technology Assurance Group (TAG) extend the reach of their managed technology solutions and partner network to new customers across the United States. For more information, read the press release: https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/554547851/turnium-announces-commitment-to-bring-technology-assurance-group-s-tag-network-to-ibm-cloud-for-telecommunications

“A recent study from the IBM Institute for Business Value on “The end of communications services as we know them” revealed that 59% of high performing CSPs surveyed agree they must become secure clouds infused with AI and automation. The study also says, that  Communications Service Providers (CSPs) are thinking more strategically about 5G-enabled edge computing more for its ability to building more revenues as 5G and edge computing usher in a new reality for businesses,” said Andrew Coward, General Manager, Software Defined Networking, IBM. “We are continuing to help CSPs embrace secured technologies like automation, AI and hybrid cloud, and we believe IBM is uniquely positioned to provide the software and consulting needed to evolve their digital architecture.”

IBM will have a strong presence as the show’s Network Automation Partner, co-leading a keynote session with Boston Dynamics, speaking in breakout sessions on the New Age of Automation and IoT in Healthcare, and hosting live in-booth solution demonstrations.

Statements regarding IBM’s future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.

IBM and Crédit Mutuel Accelerate Partnership with AmbitionS, a New Center of Technological Excellence in Strasbourg

STRASBOURG, France, Oct. 21, 2021 — IBM and Crédit Mutuel are announcing a new step in their strategic partnership initiated more than 50 years ago, with the signing of the AmbitionS contract between Euro-Information, the technological subsidiary of Crédit Mutuel, and IBM.

The objective is to pursue and strengthen their close collaboration over the next four years to continue to anticipate developments in the financial services sector by:

  • Accelerating and industrializing the use of data, artificial intelligence (AI) and automated document analysis to develop new services, improve business processes and protect customers and the bank (combat fraud, ensure compliance, etc.)
  • Transforming the information system into a unified private cloud platform leveraging Red Hat OpenShift, working in synergy with IBM Z®. This private cloud, hosted in Crédit Mutuel datacenters located in France and fully operated by Euro-Information teams, will be based on an architecture meeting availability, performance and security requirements in accordance with the commitment of digital privacy and contributing to the improvement of time-to-market and operational efficiency. This comprehensive approach aims to give Crédit Mutuel sustainable autonomy and contributes to the commitments made in terms of reducing its environmental footprint and an IT resolutely focused on the new digital uses of client-members.
  • Creating an IBM technology and skills center in Strasbourg, dedicated to Crédit Mutuel, around artificial intelligence, data, cloud and infrastructure modernization.

“In face of the explosion in digital use cases, the AmbitionS plan will help accelerate the deployment of new offers and services for the 27 million customers of Crédit Mutuel and its subsidiaries,” said Frantz Rublé, President of Euro-Information.

Accelerate the bank and insurance’s transformation with the creation of a center of excellence dedicated to technological innovation, based in Strasbourg

The strengthening of this strategic partnership with IBM is reflected in the creation of a skills and technology center in Strasbourg, hosted in a structure dedicated to Crédit Mutuel. This hub will make it possible to accelerate the supply of services and technologies such as AI or the private cloud, in synergy with the IBM Z platform, for customers and members, partners and employees of all Crédit Mutuel federations, and their subsidiaries, as well as members of the Euro-Information IT System.

A co-creation approach is planned to accelerate exchanges and knowledge sharing between Euro-Information and IBM Research (including Paris-Saclay). This is expected to strengthen the IBM teams in Strasbourg as well as access to IBM Research, consulting, support and technology centers worldwide. Finally, an “Academy” approach to develop and perpetuate skills on IBM Z technologies, and to attract young talent, especially in Strasbourg, by relying on higher education institutions.

“The creation of the AmbitionS technology and skills center will strengthen our strategic partnership with Crédit Mutuel and its technological subsidiary Euro-Information, combining geographic proximity, skills excellence and the use of technology as accelerators of transformation,” said Jean-Philippe Desbiolles, IBM Managing Director. “After AI, Crédit Mutuel is once again paving the way for a new vision of the bank.”

About Euro-Information, a Crédit Mutuel group company
Euro-Information is the technology company of the Crédit Mutuel group. Euro-Information manages the information system of 16 Crédit Mutuel federations1 as well as CIC and all the subsidiaries carrying out financial, insurance, real estate, consumer loans, private banking, financing, telephony and technology.

With nearly 3,700 employees, Euro-Information offers the best of technology to employees, members and customers associated with a high level of security and protection of personal data. Euro-Information masters all the technologies internally and carries out the necessary developments to serve the entities of the Crédit Mutuel group.

More information on e-i.com and creditmutuel.fr

1 Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale (Center Est Europe (Strasbourg), South-East (Lyon), Ile-de-France (Paris), Savoie-Mont Blanc (Annecy), Midi-Atlantique (Toulouse), Loire-Atlantique and Center federations -West (Nantes), Center (Orléans), Normandy (Caen), Dauphiné-Vivarais (Valence), Mediterranean (Marseille), Anjou (Angers), Massif Central (Clermont-Ferrand) and Antilles-Guyane (Fort-de-France ), Crédit Mutuel Nord Europe (Lille), Crédit Mutuel Maine-Anjou, Basse Normandie (Laval) and Crédit Mutuel Océan (La Roche-sur-Yon).

Apptio and IBM Announce Collaboration to Help Accelerate Enterprise Transformation with IBM’s Open Hybrid Cloud Approach

Apptio’s SaaS solutions will be a decision engine to help clients migrate workloads and applications with Red Hat OpenShift

BELLEVUE, Wash., and ARMONK, N.Y., October 12, 2021 – Apptio, Inc., a leading provider of technology business management (TBM) SaaS applications, and IBM, today announced a collaboration to help clients improve hybrid cloud technology decision-making and drive adoption of Red Hat OpenShift and IBM’s open hybrid cloud approach.

According to analyst firm IDC, “there is a need to support the client journey to the cloud that can help map aligning the optimal portfolio of cloud capabilities (e.g., private, public, hybrid) needed to achieve business and IT objectives, offering different pathways to the cloud for migration and modernization of applications.”1 To help inject flexibility and agility into their operations, enterprises must determine which applications and workloads should be migrated and how that may impact the business. The collaboration will combine data-driven insights from Apptio to help clients make informed migration decisions and capitalize on the capabilities of Red Hat OpenShift to run and manage applications in the computing environment that best suits their business goals, including on-premises infrastructure and across cloud destinations including IBM, AWS, Azure and others.

“Many enterprises are going hybrid by leveraging both on-premises and cloud services to satisfy their technology and business needs,” said Sunny Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Apptio. “IBM offers the only multi-cloud hybrid approach to its customers resulting in a comprehensive and compelling platform for managing their workloads in this hybrid world.”

As part of the relationship, Apptio, an IBM Business Partner (“partner”), and IBM will offer clients visibility, optimization and migration capabilities for IBM Cloud with Red Hat OpenShift through Apptio’s financial decision engine, which cuts across enterprise technology— from on-premises infrastructure and cloud services to digital products such as ApptioOne and Cloudability. Additionally, Apptio will use Red Hat OpenShift in its portfolio of products, starting with Targetprocess, which runs on IBM Cloud and is built to help enterprises accelerate business agility. The combination of Apptio products with IBM AI Ops and IBM Turbonomics Application Resource Management can also help to provide clients with financial and utilization analysis of workload placement.

“Apptio and IBM are united in our desire to help clients make data-driven decisions about running their workloads in the optimal hybrid cloud environment, whether in the cloud or on-premises,” said Bob Lord, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Ecosystems, IBM. “With the addition of Apptio to our growing ecosystem of partners, we’re able to combine Apptio’s financial analytics and decision support and IBM’s open hybrid cloud leadership to design an offering to deliver unprecedented value to clients at all stages of their cloud journeys.”

IBM Global Business Services (GBS) will advise clients on their hybrid cloud journey by providing end-to-end strategy, design, road mapping and architectural services for clients using Apptio’s products. IBM will use Apptio’s cloud financial management and optimization products such as ApptioOne to manage technology spend and consumption of internal IBM Cloud resources across its enterprise.

Apptio is part of IBM’s partner ecosystem, an initiative to support partners of all types –  whether they build on, service or resell IBM technologies and platforms –  to help clients manage and modernize workloads with Red Hat OpenShift for any cloud environment, including IBM Cloud.

IBM Signs Five-Year Agreement with Honda Motor Europe Ltd to Integrate and Manage Its Finance and Procurement Operations

IBM to lay the foundations for Honda’s end-to-end “Zero Touch” ambitions

LONDON, Oct. 6, 2021 — IBM and Honda Motor Europe today announced a five-year agreement under which IBM plans to manage and run Honda’s finance and procurement operations across Europe. The contract is designed to deliver integrated end-to-end service which can help Honda improve efficiency, reduce costs, standardise processes across its European operations and ultimately set it on course to a “Zero Touch” vision.

The contract extends an existing ten-year relationship by giving IBM Global Business Services additional responsibility for procurement operations. The fully integrated finance and procurement intelligent workflow is designed to help enable cost savings, productivity improvements and improved service levels to Honda’s suppliers and customers, on a resilient platform.

This agreement comes at a time when the automotive industry is embarking on a radical transformation to a connected, autonomous, shared, and electrified world. The transformation investments required put even greater demands on back-office functions to improve efficiencies and be flexible to support the changing business demands.

“We have a strategic need to transform our finance and procurement operations into the very best in the world and in so doing make Honda’s European operations a business that every dealer and supplier want to work with,” said Joe Crump, General Manager, Business Administration, Honda Motor Europe. “We have a proven excellent working relationship with IBM, which has become a trusted partner and I’m confident will bring enormous expertise to help us make the changes needed to respond to the industry’s challenges and emerging opportunities.”

Under the agreement IBM plans to manage the Source-to-Pay, Record-to-Report and Order-to-Cash processes. The standardisation and simplification of the processes is designed to enable the application of the latest advances in automation which can provide further cost and quality benefits. A new single helpdesk with an integrated view of the entire finance and procurement function can not only be more efficient but can also improve customer service.

“We look forward to bringing our business process experience, technology and transformation methodologies to help Honda Motor Europe bring its Zero Touch ambitions one step closer,” said Dave Miller, IBM Managing Director for Honda Global Account. “We plan to bring together people, processes and solutions into intelligent workflows through an optimised managed services approach that can enable Honda Motor Europe to enhance its finance and purchasing operations and become the partner of choice to its network of dealers and suppliers.”

IBM and Honda Motor Europe signed their Finance & Procurement Service agreement in 1Q 2021.

Statements regarding IBM’s future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice and represent goals and objectives only.