IBM's approach with cloudMatrix is to enable enterprises to buy public cloud services, manage virtual infrastructure and plan. IBM will wind up selling rival infrastructure as a service from the likes of AWS, Google and Microsoft.
Here's a look at the cloudMatrix procurement page and services available. You can sort by provider as well as requirements.
When a service is selected you can configure and get real-time cost estimates.
Here's a Hadoop instance being acquired with monthly cost estimates based on configuration.
Once a service is procured it is routed for approval. Here's an instance that needs to be approved. The goal is to add more governance to cloud procurement.
With everyone signed off, the AWS instance is all set.
Once an instance is procured, there are architecture tools to see how it fits in your landscape as well as dependencies.
Cloud services can be mixed with other disaster recovery functions and infrastructure options.
Once a cluster of cloud services is built cost estimates are available for any application.
IBM's cloudMatrix excels at financial details such as chargebacks to departments based on app usage.
Enterprises can use cloudMatrix modeling tools to determine cloud readiness and best infrastructure options.
Here's another look at cloud readiness scores.
Cloud benefits scores are based on items such as availability, reliability and ability to scale.
Deployments have estimated bill of materials. These estimates are handy when pitching a cloud project and determining returns on investment.
As IBM expands into IT as a service it is aiming to be a broker to other cloud services. Here's a cost analysis.
Requirement comparisons are just as important as raw costs.
IBM models the costs associated with changing a cloud deployment or architecture.
Once cloud applications and infrastructure are set up they can be optimized based on governance, costs and other factors.