The platform uses IBM Consulting’s existing AI tools and Microsoft’s cloud, data and security systems. Engineers from both companies will work directly with qualifying customers to integrate agents into existing software and move them from testing into production.
IBM’s contribution comes from Consulting Advantage, its existing platform for developing and deploying AI applications. The 6,000 figure includes agents and other assets, rather than exclusively deployable agents.
Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio and GitHub Copilot provide agent development and coordination tools. Microsoft Fabric connects enterprise data, Entra manages identities and access permissions, Purview supports data governance, and Defender provides security capabilities.
IBM’s Process Studio, Context Studio and Advantage Core support agent configuration, deployment and oversight.
The partnership extends Microsoft’s efforts to expand AI adoption across its existing enterprise software customer base.
Microsoft has 450 million commercial Microsoft 365 seats, but fewer than 7% carry paid Copilot licenses, PYMNTS reported in September. Microsoft 365 Copilot costs $30 per user monthly, while newer agent capabilities are billed according to usage.
Microsoft has also introduced agents that operate within corporate Microsoft 365 environments, with their own identities, memory and email addresses.
The latest offering comes as businesses increase AI investments but remain cautious about granting software independent authority.
Agentic AI is in use at 89% of large U.S. enterprises, but 78% would restrict agents to read-only access to company directories, according to PYMNTS Intelligence’s November report, “The Agentic Edge Index: How Leading Companies Put AI to Work.”
Another 18% would allow agents to perform tasks with human approval, while 2% would permit independent execution. The report also found that 51% of executives consider organizational barriers, including staffing, business processes and corporate culture, greater obstacles to AI adoption than technology.
