Omdia unveils Champions in the 2026 Cloud & Data Center Ecosystem Leadership Matrix

Six vendors have achieved coveted Champion status within the 2026 Omdia Cloud and Data Center Ecosystem Leadership Matrix: AWS, Dell Technologies, Google Cloud, HPE, IBM and Lenovo.

Omdia's Global Cloud & Data Center Ecosystem Leadership Matrix 2026 assesses 26 leading IT vendors – with global sales exceeding $2 billion and at least 25% channel revenue – across a range of metrics including channel ecosystem strategy, execution effectiveness and future potential.

AI demand and enterprise modernization are fuelling explosive growth in cloud and data center technologies. But shifting industry dynamics around sovereignty, cybersecurity, data management, regulation and governance, energy, pricing and supply are reshaping how vendors engage with partner and distributor ecosystems.

Many vendors are rethinking their partner strategies for an AI-led future, with a greater emphasis on fewer, more capable partners, while recruiting a new breed of consulting, design and engineering-led partners. The rising complexity of technical architectures to support customer demands for hybrid cloud and sovereign AI requires new, deeper skillsets. With multiple partners involved in every customer deal, the ability to drive collaboration across the partner ecosystem becomes even more critical to success. 

What defines a Champion?

The six Champions demonstrate the highest levels of partner commitment compared to their peers, backed by effective investments across the globe. They pioneer innovative engagement models beyond traditional programs, prioritize partner profitability through economic alignment, excel at orchestrating complex ecosystems, and continuously evolve based on partner feedback. They balance scale with partner intimacy, innovation with execution, and short-term initiatives with long-term ecosystem health and value creation. For partners, alignment with Champions provides clearer paths to profitability and access to compelling opportunities.

Assessing the wider vendor landscape

Beyond the six Champions, the other 20 vendors assessed are classified as either Contenders, Scalers or Foundations, reflecting different stages of vendor maturity and execution:

Contenders have established channel strategies but haven't fully capitalized on their potential, or have seen year- on- year declines in execution or partner sentiment. 

Scalers are developing their commitment to partner-led models and showing performance improvements, positioning them to accelerate in 2026.

Foundation vendors are the laggards in ecosystem management, lacking maturity in their partner strategies or having experienced a significant deterioration in partner sentiment or ecosystem success.

Key trends reshaping ecosystems

AI as catalyst: Champions are at the forefront of innovation around AI-led partner enablement, creating specialized programs and innovative engagement models. Partners are critical for AI solution delivery, implementation and adoption.

Partner profitability focus: Champions prioritize partner economics through enhanced incentives, simplified processes, and co-sell models – shifting from rewarding pure transaction volume to value creation.

Supply chain advantage: Current constraints elevate supply chain strength as a critical differentiator, enabling vendors to support partner growth amid component shortages.

Program simplification: Champions consolidate multiple programs into unified frameworks, automate administrative functions, and streamline engagement—driving higher adoption and satisfaction.

Looking ahead

As AI adoption, enterprise modernization, and hybrid cloud expansion continue driving demand, partner ecosystems remain critical. The 2026 Champions demonstrate that excellence requires genuine commitment, continuous innovation, and a consistent focus on partner success.

But this is a highly dynamic environment, and as vendors rapidly evolve their strategies, positions in the Leadership Matrix can quickly change. The toughest challenge for Champions will be to retain their status in 2027, while other vendors aspire to reach the highest levels in the Matrix. For all vendors the imperative is clear: those who can master the orchestration of these sophisticated partner networks will define the next era of cloud and data center leadership.