Tech

CockroachDB Brings Distributed SQL to IBM Power and IBM Cloud

IBM's hybrid infrastructure gets a critical boost as CockroachDB expands support to IBM Power and IBM Cloud, enabling distributed SQL workloads to scale across the entire platform, including high-performance Power9 servers and cloud-based services, with implications for large-scale, mission-critical applications and real-time analytics. This move positions CockroachDB as a key component for enterprises seeking to unify their data management across on-premises and cloud environments. The integration leverages PostgreSQL's ACID compliance and CockroachDB's built-in conflict-free replication.

Chris L (AI-assisted) May 13, 2026 1 min read EN

Based on reporting from Source.

CockroachDB is now available in the IBM Cloud catalog and supported on IBM Power processor-based server systems. The move gives enterprises a direct path to deploy a distributed SQL database within IBM's ecosystem, allowing them to modernize mission-critical workloads while preserving existing investments in IBM Power infrastructure and IBM Cloud.

Overview

Cockroach Labs, the company behind the cloud-agnostic, PostgreSQL-compatible CockroachDB, announced the expansion on May 13, 2026. The database is designed as a system of record for modern applications, combining ACID compliance with built-in conflict-free replication. The integration targets enterprises running workloads on IBM Power Systems and IBM Cloud that need a data platform capable of evolving with their business.

What it does

The inclusion of CockroachDB in the IBM Cloud catalog builds on the existing collaboration between Cockroach Labs and IBM. Customers can now procure and deploy CockroachDB directly within IBM VPC and IBM Power Virtual Server while maintaining consistency with workloads running on-premises on IBM Power and other IBM platforms. The offering includes IBM-backed support, service-level agreements, and consistent operations across hybrid environments.

Customers can procure and consume CockroachDB within existing IBM Cloud agreements, including committed spend—streamlining procurement and simplifying vendor management. This aligns with established enterprise buying models.

Why it matters

AI is reshaping the role of the database. As applications evolve to incorporate autonomous systems and continuous decision-making, the data layer must support agentic-scale concurrency, global distribution, and strict consistency simultaneously. This marks a shift from traditional architectures optimized for stability within monolithic environments rather than coordination across distributed cloud regions and data centers.

For industries where reliability is critical, this raises the bar for how data infrastructure must perform at scale. By combining IBM Power Systems and IBM Cloud with CockroachDB's distributed architecture, organizations can modernize incrementally, extending existing systems while establishing a flexible, distributed data foundation aligned to hybrid and multicloud strategies.

Tradeoffs

CockroachDB's distributed SQL model introduces complexity compared to single-node PostgreSQL deployments. Organizations need to account for network latency between regions and the operational overhead of managing a distributed cluster. The database's conflict-free replication and strict serializability come with performance tradeoffs in write-heavy workloads compared to eventually consistent NoSQL alternatives.

When to use it

This integration is relevant for enterprises that:

Run mission-critical workloads on IBM Power Systems and want to adopt distributed SQL without migrating off IBM hardware
Need a consistent data layer across on-premises IBM Power, IBM Power Virtual Server, and IBM VPC
Require global distribution with ACID compliance for transactional workloads
Are building AI-driven applications that need agentic-scale concurrency and strict consistency

Pricing

Pricing details were not disclosed in the announcement. Customers can procure CockroachDB through existing IBM Cloud agreements, including committed spend arrangements.

Bottom line

CockroachDB's availability on IBM Power and IBM Cloud gives enterprises a distributed SQL option within IBM's hybrid infrastructure. For organizations already invested in IBM Power Systems, this provides a path to modernize data infrastructure without forklift migrations. The database is trusted by major global banks and companies including Booking.com, Squarespace, FanDuel, OpenAI, and DoorDash for demanding workloads.

More articles like this

Tech 1 min

Arelion adds 400G EVPL to bridge the AI connectivity gap

Arelion's 400G Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) expansion bridges the connectivity gap for AI infrastructure, offering enterprises and hyperscalers a high-bandwidth, low-latency solution for interconnecting AI workloads and data centers. The upgraded service enables rapid, scalable connectivity between AI clusters, data lakes, and edge computing environments. With 400G EVPL, Arelion's AI Direct suite now supports the high-speed data transfer required for large-scale AI applications.

Tech 1 min

RedCloud And ACA Capital Signal Intent to Activate Foundation Model AI Agents on Anthropic Claude Through JV Across $221Bn South African FMCG Market

A $221 billion South African FMCG sector is poised to become the first large-scale proving ground for Anthropic’s Claude-powered AI agents, as RedCloud and ACA Capital launch a joint venture to embed its RAID inference engine and RedAI specialist models across ACA’s distribution network. The capital-light deal sidesteps traditional SaaS rollouts, instead deploying vertically optimized agents—fine-tuned on Claude’s 200K-token context window—to automate inventory, pricing, and logistics in real time.

Tech 1 min

Zifo Transforms GxP Compliance with AI-Enabled Audit Trail Review Solution

Regulated industries get a boost in data integrity and compliance with Zifo's AI-powered audit trail review solution, which leverages machine learning to automate checklist generation and log parsing, ensuring seamless traceability and minimizing human error in GxP environments. This innovation promises to streamline audit processes, reducing the risk of non-compliance and associated fines. By integrating AI-driven insights, Zifo's solution optimizes regulatory compliance for life sciences and pharmaceutical companies.

Tech 1 min

Global Mofy Strategically Participates in New Financing Round of Kimi AI’s Developer Moonshot AI, Advancing Its Global Generative AI Strategy

Global Mofy's strategic investment in Moonshot AI's latest funding round signals a significant escalation of its global generative AI ambitions, as the company seeks to expand its virtual content production capabilities and leverage Kimi's large language model platform to drive innovation in 3D digital asset development. The partnership will likely accelerate Moonshot AI's efforts to integrate its Kimi model with Global Mofy's existing virtual content production tools. This move underscores the growing importance of large language models in driving the next wave of digital content creation.

Tech 1 min

SEALSQ Positioned for Leadership in Orbital Quantum Security and Space-Based Data Centers with Post-Quantum Semiconductor Technology

As quantum computing's threat to public-key cryptography looms, SEALSQ Corp is poised to dominate the emerging market for orbital quantum security and space-based data centers with its post-quantum semiconductor technology, leveraging homomorphic encryption and lattice-based cryptography to safeguard sensitive spaceborne data. The company's strategic positioning hinges on its ability to integrate quantum-resistant hardware with trusted execution environments and secure key management systems. This move could secure SEALSQ's status as a foundational provider for the next generation of space-based infrastructure.

Tech 1 min

SOFTBANK ROBOTICS AMERICA AND DIRECT SUPPLY EXPAND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES

SoftBank Robotics America and Direct Supply deepen their alliance to optimize senior living operations through AI-driven physical systems, integrating robotic solutions with Direct Supply's logistics expertise to streamline workflows and enhance resident care in over 1,000 facilities nationwide. The partnership leverages SoftBank's Pepper and NAO robots, equipped with computer vision and machine learning capabilities, to automate tasks and improve operational efficiency. This expanded collaboration aims to set a new standard for senior living facilities.