Amazon discussed forming ‘Rebel Alliance’ against Microsoft

Amazon is reportedly trying to form a “Rebel Alliance” with other tech companies in an effort to take on Microsoft’s suite of work-productivity apps.

Amazon has held discussions with Dropbox, Slack, Smartsheet and others about creating a bundle of business apps that corporate customers could purchase at a single price, Insider reported, citing sources with knowledge of the talks.

The bundle would also offer other features such as single sign-on and unified billing through the Amazon Web Services cloud platform, the outlet said.

The initiative is reportedly called “Rebel Alliance” inside AWS — the same name used by resistance groups in the “Star Wars” movies when they align to fight the evil Galactic Empire.

Discussions have been going on for over a year, but efforts are still at the idea stage, according to Insider.

Andy Jassy, the current AWS CEO who’s set to become Amazon CEO next week after Jeff Bezos steps down, has not yet signed off on the alliance and has sent the team back to strengthen the pitch several times, Insider reported.

It’s not clear if there’s interest from incoming AWS CEO Adam Selipsky, the report said, or if any meaningful discussions are still ongoing.

Satya Nadella and Jeff Bezos.
Amazon has held discussions with Dropbox, Slack, Smartsheet and others about creating a bundle of business apps.
Getty Images

An Amazon representative didn’t immediately return The Post’s request for comment.

The plan would help Amazon and other software companies compete with Microsoft’s prolific 365 suite of products, which includes word processing, spreadsheets, team messaging and more.

It would also cater to companies that prefer to buy various business apps as needed — as a “best of breed” approach, rather than a package from a single vendor.

With the initiative, Amazon sees an opportunity to move beyond AWS’ core operations of cloud infrastructure and into software-as-a-service offerings — an area the company has been struggling in, Insider reported.

Microsoft sign.
Amazon’s plan would help the company compete with Microsoft’s prolific 365 suite of products.
REUTERS

The alliance would also help AWS fend off Microsoft, which has been growing quickly in the cloud space, the outlet said, citing one person familiar with the project.

Revenue from Microsoft Azure, its cloud business, has grown rapidly, and Microsoft could decide to bundle it with the Microsoft Office suite of products, which AWS insiders often discussed, according to the report

“Amazon says it’s not competitor-focused — but every meeting was about Microsoft, Microsoft, Microsoft,” one person told Insider.

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