Canalys is part of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC’s registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Now and next for Hyperscaler Marketplaces

The transformation of global software channels by cloud marketplaces

Hyperscaler cloud marketplaces are accelerating as a critical route to market for software and SaaS

Enterprise software sales through hyperscaler cloud marketplaces are projected to reach $85 billion by 2028. Led by hyperscaler platforms AWS Marketplace, Microsoft Azure Marketplace, and Google Cloud Marketplace this surge is disrupting traditional sales channels for enterprise technology software and cybersecurity. Yet Canalys anticipates that more than 50% of sales are expected to flow through the channel by 2027. Early leaders like Crowdstrike, Palo Alto, Splunk, and Snowflake have already achieved significant milestones, with billion-dollar sales through AWS Marketplace. In the rapidly evolving landscape of cloud marketplaces, enterprise customers have committed over $360 billion to hyperscaler platforms.

This substantial investment is drastically reshaping enterprise procurement, vendor go-to-market strategies, and channel models as enterprises strategically 'burn down' their pre-committed cloud credits. As the marketplace model matures, the role of channel partners is becoming increasingly critical, highlighted by the introduction of tailored partnership models such as AWS Channel Partner Private Offers, Microsoft Multiparty Private Offers, and Google Cloud Channel Private Offers. These developments underscore a shift towards more complex transactions being managed through indirect channels, promising to accelerate as more vendors adopt partner-first approaches. This latest report from Canalys delves into the transformative role of hyperscaler marketplaces in the global software distribution channel.

AI Cabability

This report is crucial for software vendors, channel partners, enterprise IT decision-makers and the financial community. Understand how hyperscaler marketplaces are shaping the future of software sales, driving partner strategies, and influencing enterprise procurement. Gain insights into navigating this evolving landscape to maximize market opportunities and partner engagements.

Key findings

  • Hyperscaler marketplaces are rapidly becoming a critical route to market for software and SaaS vendors across numerous technology categories.
  • This is changing enterprise procurement behavior, as customers start to build marketplace purchasing strategically into their cloud spending commitments with the hyperscalers.
  • Channel partners will become increasingly important to hyperscaler marketplace momentum, as vendors prioritize partner-led strategies, and customers turn to partners to help them manage marketplace procurement.
  • More than 50% of hyperscaler marketplace sales will be via channel partners by 2027, as AWS, Microsoft and Google Cloud expand their respective channel partner private offer models.
  • Distribution faces a threat from hyperscaler marketplaces, but distributors will define new roles by integrating their own digital platforms with those of the hyperscalers.
AI Smartphone

Companies mentioned: ALSO, Amazon Web Services (AWS), AppDirect, AppXite (Atea), Arrow, Bechtle, Carahsoft, CDW, Cisco, Citrix, CloudBlue (Ingram Micro subsidiary), Cloudmore, Cloud Software Group, Coca Cola, Computacenter, Crayon, CrowdStrike, Exclusive Networks, Google Cloud, IBM, Ingram Micro, Insight, Interworks, Microsoft, Mirakl, Nerdio, Nutanix, Palo Alto, Pax8, Presidio, Red Hat, SADA (part of Insight), Salesforce, ServiceNow, SHI, Snowflake, Softcat, Solgari, SoftwareONE, Splunk, Tackle, TD Synnex, Westcon, Wiz, Workday, WWT (World Wide Technology), Zoom

Your next steps

Access the report

Gain comprehensive insights into the future of global software channels by accessing the full "Now and Next: Hyperscaler Marketplaces are Redefining Global Software Channels" report. This detailed analysis will provide you with in-depth examinations, market projections, strategic recommendations, and much more.

Connect with Canalys analysts

Reach out to Canalys for personalized insights and to discuss the implications of the report findings for your business. Our experts are available to provide clients with tailored advice, answer your questions, and help you navigate the opportunities and challenges.

Stay updated

Ensure you stay informed about the latest trends and developments in cloud marketplaces and enterprise software by subscribing to Canalys updates. Receive notifications about new reports, industry insights, and exclusive events directly to your inbox

By following these steps, you can leverage the insights from the report to make informed decisions, drive innovation, and maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly changing landscape of software distribution.

Recent realated Canalys research

Press release
Global cloud spending leaps 19% in Q2 2024  
Press release
Mainland China’s cloud service spend grew by 20% in Q1 2024 
Press release
Mainland China’s cloud service spending to grow by 18% in 2024 
Press release
Worldwide cloud service spending to grow by 20% in 2024 
Press release
Global cloud services spending up 16% in Q3 2023 as growth rate stabilizes 
Report
Global systems integrators look to react to changing cloud landscape
An analysis of the system integrators who have been instrumental in growing the cloud infrastructure during the pandemic and how they should react to 2023.
Report
Kaseya acquires Datto in US$6.2bn deal, but MSPs voice concern
MSP specialist vendor Kaseya has made an offer of US$6.2bn to acquire competitor Datto. The move is backed by Kaseya investors and venture capital firms Insight Partners, TPG, Temasek and Sixth Street. The deal is still subject to regulatory approval, but is expected to close in the second half of 2022.
Report
The impact of COVID-19 on the automotive industry
The global sales of passenger cars has declined for the last two years and the outlook for 2020 was for another low single-digit percentage decline. Then COVID-19 struck, and the impact is already dramatic.
Report
The APAC channel fights back against COVID-19
COVID-19 has affected hundreds of thousands of people and is having a growing impact on the global economy. The S&P ratings remain optimistic, forecasting economic growth in APAC of 4.0% this year, against the 4.8% estimate given in December. Some markets are either managing the crisis well, or have passed the worst of it, while others are still in a cautious phase.
Report
The US economy catches COVID-19
The US could see COVID-19 coming but its true impact is yet to be revealed. As of this report’s publication, the full effects on society are unknown, as are the economic ramifications. Governments, private industry and consumers will all have to work together to mitigate this global crisis and help the economy and society get back on track, but it may be a long road.
Report
Global PC market to fall by 3.4% in 2020 in best-case scenario
Canalys updates its client PC shipment forecast estimates in the seventh week of every quarter. While the data is designed to help its clients by providing appropriate metrics that can serve as a feed to their internal planning processes, Canalys also supplements this data with key assumptions that can affect, both positively and negatively, demand for and supply of PC shipments worldwide.

More about Canalys Cloud Analysis research