IBM acquires Pliant to boost network automation capabilities

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES — Tech company IBM has acquired network and information technology automation provider Pliant.

The acquisition will boost IBM’s network automation capabilities. Specifically, IBM can now provide clients the ability to simplify the automation of their digital infrastructure. 

Through Pliant, IBM clients have a tool that securely automates, integrates, and connects the platforms, services, and applications within their environments.

“Pliant adds essential capabilities to automate network and IT infrastructure tasks and abstract these functions to the application layer, enabling applications (and developers) maximum control for simplified provisioning and management of infrastructure directly within applications themselves,” wrote Andrew Coward, IBM General Manager, Software Defined Networking.

IBM worked with Pliant in 2022 to integrate its workflow engine and other technologies into its Cloud Pak for Automation package. 

Founded in 2017, Pliant is known for its IT automation and orchestration software, which streamlines communications among platforms, services, and applications and simplifies network and IT operations. 

In 2019, the firm secured over $2.5 million in funding, led by former SevOne tech startup exec Vess Bakalov. 

Known as a client-managed software and SaaS, Pliant’s low-code, no-code approach aligns with IBM’s vision to build an accessible product portfolio harnessing these capabilities.

This acquisition marks IBM’s second in 2024, following the announcement to acquire application modernization firm Advanced in January.