As IT procurement becomes vital to enabling agile, cost-effective digital transformation, enterprises are re-evaluating how they source technology. Traditional procurement processes struggle with extended cycles, poor provider governance, and limited alignment to cloud-native spend models. Cloud marketplaces are emerging as a strategic procurement channel, offering faster vendor onboarding, dynamic pricing, streamlined license management, and increased spending visibility. In this report, we examine how enterprises can leverage hyperscaler cloud marketplaces, such as AWS Marketplace, Azure Marketplace, and Google Cloud Marketplace, to unlock financial and operational value across procurement, governance, and partner management. It outlines the marketplace features that enable faster deployment, better control, and enhanced committed cloud spend use. The report also offers strategic recommendations for aligning procurement strategies with marketplace capabilities and maximizing value through private offers, curated partner solutions, and co-sell models involving Independent Software Vendor(ISVs) and providers.

Generative AI has moved from an experimental tool to a core enterprise engine, unlocking business value across the entire IT stack. Yet every new parameter-rich model brings a heavy sustainability price tag: soaring electricity draw, intensified cooling loads, and water usage that stretches local resources. The very clouds that promise digital transformation risk casting a shadow over global net-zero goals. In this Viewpoint, Everest Group unpacks the contradiction. We trace how exponential AI workloads are stress-testing hyperscalers’ original green growth pledges, such as 100 percent renewable energy, water-positive campuses, circular hardware, placing these commitments at a pivotal phase of execution and accountability. Beyond this, this Viewpoint focuses on future opportunities. Hyperscalers, based on their scale and influence, hold immense power to reset ambitions and raise the bar for sustainable growth. We examine how hyperscalers are already investing in next-generation technologies that can improve energy and resource efficiency, as well as how they can do more in the future. Ultimately, this Viewpoint offers a forward-thinking playbook for technology providers and enterprises navigating the intersection of AI and sustainability. By turning intent into impact, hyperscalers, their ecosystems, and enterprises can work together to drive responsible innovation that not only meets the moment but defines the next era of cloud leadership.

The public cloud market is significantly growing due to enterprises’ pursuit of digital transformation, innovation, and operational resilience. Microsoft Azure has effectively addressed this demand through strategic investments in generative AI (in collaboration with OpenAI), industry-tailored cloud offerings, Microsoft Fabric for data, and robust security capabilities. As Azure’s portfolio expands, enterprises are turning to specialized Azure service providers to lead cloud migration efforts and drive ongoing optimization. These partners bring key expertise in cost efficiency, resource management, and cloud-native development, enabling organizations to maximize their Azure investments’ value. In response to evolving enterprise needs, Azure service providers are enhancing their go-to-market approaches, earning certifications and specializations, and building proprietary Azure-aligned IP. Their close collaboration with Microsoft allows them to deliver industry-specific, high-impact solutions that strengthen operations and unlock new growth opportunities. In this report, we assess 29 cloud service providers featured in the Microsoft Azure Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024 and categorize them as Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants based on their capabilities and offerings. Each profile offers a comprehensive picture of the provider’s operational overview, delivery presence, solutions on offer, investments, and market success.

Hyperscalers, such as Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, accelerated partnerships with nuclear energy providers for energy procurement in H2 2024. This shift raises a key question: Why are hyperscalers turning to nuclear energy? Rising energy demands, limitations of renewable energy sources, and net-zero commitments are driving nuclear energy adoption. Data center capacity expansion and AI and gen AI adoption growth lead to high power demand and electricity consumption. Renewable energy depends on local weather conditions and requires massive land use for power generation compared to nuclear plants. Net-zero commitments and regulatory pressures compel hyperscalers to seek low-carbon energy alternatives. Historical mishaps, untested nuclear technologies, environmental considerations, and health and safety concerns contribute to the public’s perception of nuclear power. Simultaneously, nuclear projects face complex regulatory frameworks requiring multiple permits, licenses, and approvals. Despite these challenges, the industry outlook remains positive, with nuclear capacity expected to hit a record high in 2025 due to small modular reactors’ safety and scalability. Policy and regulation changes, technology advances in the energy transition sector, and waste management considerations could be potential challenges. In this Viewpoint, we suggest strategic options for energy procurement, innovation capacity, and regulatory compliance.

The Data and Analytics (D&A) and AI market continues to grow rapidly, fueled by expanding enterprise data and AI-ML advances. Organizations are turning toward D&A and AI solutions to drive digital transformation, enhance decision-making, and scale operational efficiency. At re:Invent 2024, AWS showcased its commitment to advancing the D&A and AI ecosystem with impactful updates to its platforms and tools and introducing new generative AI foundational models. These enhancements emphasize scalability, multi-model flexibility, and enterprise readiness, addressing the complete AI life cycle, from data processing to model deployment, while maintaining a strong focus on security and governance. In this report, we analyze AWS’ latest announcements from re:Invent 2024, identifying growth opportunities, enterprise challenges, and the company’s competitive positioning. The report further delves into AWS’ key offerings, major differentiators, and areas where additional refinements could enhance its value proposition. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s participation in and monitoring of announcements made at the AWS re:Invent 2024 event Contents In this report, we: Key themes driving and inhibiting enterprise demand for D&A and AI AWS’ current positioning in the D&A and AI market Announcements from AWS re:Invent 2024 Membership(s) Data & Analytics Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sourcing and Vendor Management

As AWS evolves, there is a growing demand for AWS providers that can ensure smooth cloud migrations. These providers are essential to transform and manage AWS environments, focusing on managing costs, providing skilled resources, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create business value. Their strong partnerships with AWS also allow for customized solutions that cater to specific industry requirements, improve operational efficiency, and foster innovation. AWS providers are intensifying their joint go-to-market strategies, enhancing their accreditations and competencies, and developing proprietary AWS-focused innovations and solutions. This strategic advance continues to solidify their strong position in the market. In this report, we assess 31 AWS providers featured in the AWS Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024 and categorize them as Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants based on their capabilities and offerings. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for the calendar year 2024, interactions with leading AWS providers, client reference checks, and ongoing analysis of the cloud services market Contents In this report, we examine: The market impact and vision and capabilities of 31 providers with AWS expertise Providers’ key strengths and limitations Enterprise sourcing considerations Membership(s) Cloud and Infrastructure Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

The public cloud market is growing substantially, fueled by enterprises' increasing demands for digital transformation, innovation, and operational resilience. Microsoft Azure has leveraged this trend, boosting its uptake through investments in advanced technologies such as generative AI in collaboration with OpenAI, tailored industry cloud solutions, data management (including Microsoft Fabric), and enhanced security measures. Enterprises are turning to Azure service providers to assist with smooth cloud migrations and enhance their cloud setups. These providers deliver essential services in managing costs, optimizing resources, and fostering cloud-native development, enabling businesses to fully utilize Azure's capabilities to spur growth and innovation. To adapt to these growing demands, Azure service providers are intensifying their market approach, broadening their certifications and specializations, and crafting Azure-centered IP. Their close partnerships with Microsoft allow them to offer customized, sector-specific solutions that boost operational efficiency and open new paths to create business value. In this report, we assess 29 Microsoft Azure service providers featured in the Microsoft Azure Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024 and categorize them as Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants based on their capabilities and offerings. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for the calendar year 2024, interactions with leading Microsoft Azure service providers, client reference checks, and ongoing analysis of the cloud services market Contents In this report, we examine: The market impact and vision and capabilities of 29 providers with expertise in Microsoft Azure services Providers’ key strengths and limitations Enterprise sourcing considerations Membership(s) Cloud and Infrastructure Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

With enterprises maturing in their cloud journeys, the public cloud market has evolved as well, with steady demand for hyperscaler services and increasing innovations in AI, advanced data analytics, and integrated security. Many enterprises across industries are leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS), especially where data can drive differentiation. This preference has created the demand for AWS specialists, who can help enterprises navigate AWS offerings, integrating them into tailored solutions that unlock business value. There is a growing need for specialists who can optimize compute costs, bring technical depth, and harness AWS’ extensive product portfolio. These specialists are becoming integral to large cloud engagements with other technology providers and major global system integrators due to their unique value propositions and focused expertise. In this report, we assess 14 AWS providers featured in the AWS Services Specialists PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024 and categorize them as Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants based on their capabilities and offerings. Each profile offers a comprehensive picture of the provider’s operational overview, delivery presence, solutions on offer, investments, and market success. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for the calendar year 2024, interactions with leading specialist AWS service providers, client reference checks, and an ongoing analysis of the cloud services market Contents In this report, we feature 14 providers’ profiles specializing in AWS services and include: A summary dashboard highlighting their market impact and vision and capability assessment Their key strengths and limitations A general overview of their cloud services business – vision, scope of services offered, and adoption across enterprise segments and geographies Key AWS services’ case studies An overview of their cloud services investments, key solutions, and partnerships Membership(s) Cloud and Infrastructure Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

With enterprises maturing in their cloud journeys, the public cloud market has evolved as well, with steady demand for hyperscaler services and increasing innovations in AI, advanced data analytics, and integrated security. Notably, many enterprises across industries are leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS), especially where data can drive differentiation. This preference has created the demand for AWS specialists, which can help enterprises navigate the landscape of AWS offerings, seamlessly weaving them into tailored solutions that unlock business value. These specialists are gradually becoming a key part of large cloud engagements with other technology vendors and major global system integrators due to their unique value propositions and focused expertise. In this report, we assess 14 AWS service providers featured in the AWS Services Specialists PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2024 and categorize them as Leaders, Major Contenders, and Aspirants based on their capabilities and offerings. Scope All industries and geographies The assessment is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process for calendar year 2024, interactions with leading specialist cloud service providers, client reference checks, and ongoing analysis of the cloud services market Contents In this report, we: Examine the market impact and vision and capabilities of 14 service providers specializing in AWS services Assess the providers’ key strengths and limitations Evaluate enterprise sourcing considerations Membership(s) Cloud and Infrastructure Services Sourcing and Vendor Management

Enterprises are increasingly adopting cloud services to achieve growth, enhance customer experience, and improve efficiency. The shift in cloud investments has transitioned from digital enablement to a sharper focus on driving business growth and generating value. Enterprises are adopting multicloud and hybrid cloud strategies to maximize revenue-generating opportunities, opting for hyperscalers’ best-of-breed offerings to serve their business objectives. Microsoft Azure’s expertise and tailored services play a vital role in helping enterprises extract maximum value from cloud-based applications, driving differentiation and growth. Azure competes strongly with AWS, attracting enterprises of all sectors and sizes. Its focus on innovation, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge technologies, such as data engineering and generative AI, enhances its reputation as a reliable and forward-thinking cloud solution. In this report, we examine the Microsoft Azure Cloud services market, including trends, demand drivers, and key enterprise concerns. Additionally, the report outlines the characteristics of engagements with Microsoft Azure Cloud services and explores enterprises’ primary demands and the key factors that enable them to fully leverage Microsoft Azure Cloud adoption. Scope All industries and geographies The analysis is based on Everest Group’s annual RFI process, interactions with leading cloud service providers, client reference checks, enterprise interactions, and an ongoing analysis of the Microsoft Azure Cloud services market Contents In this report, we examine: The trends, demand drivers, and key enterprise concerns in the global Microsoft Azure Cloud services market Enterprises’ top demands on Microsoft Azure Cloud and success enablers Enterprise strategies to gain the most out of their Microsoft Azure Cloud adoption Membership(s) Cloud and Infrastructure Services Sourcing and Vendor Management