MOST POPULAR CLOUD PLATFORMS
Cloud computing has become a basic model for computing. Whether it’s infrastructure, software, applications, services, products, even an operating system, or even documents, everything is making its way to the cloud. This has resulted in billions of dollars being invested by almost every technology company to switch to cloud storage. I’ll review the most popular cloud providers, their cloud offerings, and which cloud provider you should choose for your cloud services, from a developer perspective.
But before I go any further, these are the advantages of Cloud computing;
1. Cloud computing allows a business to cut their operational and fixed monthly costs of hardware, databases, servers, software licenses. Eventually, it will reduce the need for IT resources, including people. All hardware, database servers, web servers, software, products, and services are hosted in the cloud and added to an account as needed.
2. Cloud computing offers 24/7 uptime (99.99% uptime). Cloud servers and data centers are managed by the cloud service provided. Therefore, there is no need for employee management.
3. Cloud computing is scalable and reliable. There is no limit to the number of users or resources. Furthermore, the cloud increases processing and resources as needed. If you do not need resources, you can always scale down.
4. Cloud computing provides maintainability and automatic updates of new software, OS, databases, and third-party software. It also reduces IT labor costs for a business.
5. Cloud service providers have data centers in various locations, which makes them faster and more reliable. Larger companies such as Microsoft and AWS even have data centers around the world.
Look out for my next blog about the advantages of cloud computing in detail
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
This was the first company to offer cloud computing way back in 2008. AWS was the first to offer cloud computing infrastructure as a service in 2008 and has never looked back ever since it was founded in 2002. It’s launching new services at a breakneck pace and is creating its own compute stack that aims to be more efficient and pass those savings along. That plan isn’t likely to change as Adam Selipsky returns to become CEO of AWS as Andy Jassy takes over Amazon for Jeff Bezos.
Microsoft Azure
The popular Operating Systems developer Microsoft is not sleeping either. Microsoft Azure offers hundreds of services within various categories including AI + Machine Learning, Analytics, Blockchain, Compute, Containers, Databases, Developer Tools, DevOps, Identity, Integration, Internet of Things, Management, Media, Microsoft Azure Stack, Migration, Mixed Reality, Mobile, Networking, Security, Storage, Web, and Windows Virtual Desktop.
Microsoft rose so quickly behind AWS by moving their software (Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, etc) to the cloud.
Its popularity gave it no barrier for many organizations to adapt to its cloud platforms.
Google Cloud Platform
There should not be much explanation here because I believe almost 90% of internet users have google accounts that come with free 15GB Cloud storage.
Google Cloud Platform and its Anthos platform are working to break into digital transformation budgets. Meanwhile, the cloud provider is looking at expanding in its key verticals such as retail and financial services.
Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Singapore. It was initially built to serve Alibaba’s own e-commerce ecosystem and is now offered to the public. Alibaba Cloud is the largest cloud provider in China.
Alibaba offers various products and services in various categories, including Elastic Computing, Storage and CDN, Networking, Database Services, Security, Monitoring and Management, Domains and Websites, Analytics and Data Technology, Application Services, Media Services, Middleware, Cloud Communication, Apsara Stack, and Internet of Things.
IBM
IBM Cloud is a set of cloud computing services offered by the eponymous tech giant IBM. The solution offers a platform as a service, software as a service, and infrastructure as a service.
IBM Cloud developed by IBM is a set of cloud computing services for businesses. Similar to other cloud service providers, the IBM cloud includes IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS services via public, private, and hybrid cloud models.
Compute, Network, Storage, Cloud Packs, Management, Security, Database, Analytics, AI, IoT, Mobile, Dev Tools, Blockchain, Integration, Migration, Private Cloud, and VMware.
These are just free companies that have worked and invested so much in cloud computing and reaping big from it. However, nowadays there are many other companies that provide the service for example; Oracle cloud, the well-known computer manufacturer Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Cisco, etc.
The choice of a provider shall depend on the consumer but all these providers really give a good cloud platform.
