Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Reevaluate your cloud computing pandemic strategy

  If you jumped to the cloud at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, without much long-term planning, take some time now to evaluate your current cloud strategy. Continue Reading

• Edge computing strategies will determine the next cloud frontier

  The public cloud providers closed the 2010s as one of the dominant forces in IT, but they'll face competition in the 2020s from networking and telco vendors at the edge. Continue Reading

• Why is high availability important in cloud computing?

  How many "nines" does your own cloud app really need? High availability is still an important factor in a cloud SLA, but uptime needs vary for each service and company. Continue Reading

• Compare Google Cloud Deployment Manager vs. Terraform on GCP

  Determine whether to opt for cloud native Deployment Manager or third-party Terraform for infrastructure as code on Google Cloud. Continue Reading

• Explore the tools for disaster recovery on AWS, Azure and GCP

  Utilize cloud infrastructure for your disaster recovery plan. Learn about the tools and services from AWS, Google and Microsoft to see if they fit in your DR plan. Continue Reading

• How 5G could change cloud computing

  The major cloud providers have embraced the push for 5G in the cloud with partnerships and offerings. Learn about the benefits and early limitations of 5G in the cloud.Continue Reading

• Evaluate SaaS integration tools for IaaS-hosted apps

  SaaS tools can enhance applications hosted on AWS, Microsoft Azure and other public clouds, but they also present integration challenges. See which tools can ease those burdens.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge with this Microsoft Azure cloud quiz

  Fancy yourself a Microsoft Azure cloud expert? Put your knowledge to the test with this quiz on Azure services, tools and recent market news.Continue Reading

• When -- and when not -- to use cloud native security tools

  Security tools from cloud vendors are convenient, but that doesn't mean they are always the right choice. Learn how to decide when you should opt to use third-party security tools.Continue Reading

• Explore cloud computing's effect on application development

  AWS and cloud computing changed the way organizations build and run applications. Explore why that happened and see what to expect in the future as more businesses jump on board.Continue Reading

• DynamoDB on-demand vs. provisioned capacity: Which is better?

  There are two primary ways to handle capacity in DynamoDB: on-demand or provisioned. Learn the advantages, concerns and use cases for each option.Continue Reading

• How can AWS, Azure and GCP increase cloud market share?

  The Big Three dominate the cloud market, but they all have room for improvement. See what each vendor needs to do to increase its market share and attract more enterprises.Continue Reading

• Examine the cloud industry's response to GDPR and CCPA compliance

  Explore the cloud industry's response to the GDPR and CCPA requirements and learn what types of organizations these governance policies have affected so far.Continue Reading

• See if Azure Arc fits in your hybrid and multi-cloud strategy

  Azure Arc is central to Microsoft's hybrid cloud strategy. Discover how it compares to competing services from AWS and Google and see where it might be headed next.Continue Reading

• Get a quick rundown of 12 cloud developer tools from AWS

  With so many available options, it can be difficult to keep track of all the developer tools AWS has to offer. Check out 12 tools that are a part of AWS' toolkit.Continue Reading

• Third-party cloud services for ETL and application testing

  Don't default to your cloud provider's ETL and app testing services. Get to know third-party offerings and explore the advantages of using these tools in your cloud environments.Continue Reading

• Use this Amazon Cognito review to assess authentication tools

  Amazon Cognito isn't as user-friendly as some competitors, but it does offer some unique advantages. Explore the pros, cons and alternatives for Cognito.Continue Reading

• 10 cloud computing myths debunked

  A range of public cloud misconceptions -- including those related to security and cost -- give enterprise adopters the wrong idea. Read on to dispel the myths and get the truth.Continue Reading

• How certifications, remote work affect cloud computing salaries

  How many certifications you have and where you live will likely drive what you make as a cloud engineer. Catch the latest cloud salary and hiring trends.Continue Reading

• Compare on-premises migration to cloud server migration

  A cloud migration is not too different from an on-premises server-to-server migration. Compare the two processes before you organize and implement your plan.Continue Reading

• When should my company use cloud arbitrage?

  Organizations can escape vendor lock-in with a cloud arbitrage model. However, it requires an upfront investment and a solid understanding of the limitations of this approach.Continue Reading

• Explore the benefits of multi-cloud -- and the drawbacks

  The use of multi-cloud is trending up, but is it right for your workloads and business? Review the advantages and disadvantages with Gartner expert Daryl Plummer.Continue Reading

• Compare hybrid clouds: AWS Outposts vs. Azure Stack vs. Google Anthos

  Azure Stack, AWS Outposts and Google Anthos all have similar objectives but operate in different ways. Find out which hybrid cloud platform offers the right model for your company.Continue Reading

• Evaluate the top hybrid cloud providers

  There are a few different ways you can go with hybrid cloud platforms. Take a look at the top offerings and overall strategy from IaaS vendors and other large infrastructure providers.Continue Reading

• Why enterprises choose multi-cloud environments

  Multi-cloud environments have become more popular with enterprises, but this isn't a vendor lock-in issue. Find out how and why enterprises adopt multi-cloud computing.Continue Reading

• When should you use cloud vs. on-premises storage?

  Choose the right data storage approach with this breakdown on the differences between cloud and on-premises storage. Consider cost, compliance, performance and other factors.Continue Reading

• Test your cloud knowledge: VMs vs. containers vs. serverless

  Take this quiz to help guide your choice between virtual machines, containers and serverless functions. Identify the uses, features and services associated with each computing approach.Continue Reading

• AWS Savings Plans vs. Reserved Instances, explained

  AWS Savings Plans offer discounted EC2 rates to help reduce your AWS bill and compute costs. Learn why Savings Plans are a good alternative to Reserved Instances.Continue Reading

• Third-party cloud services for images, search and authentication

  Don't limit your cloud services to just what your provider offers. Consider these third-party alternatives to handle images, search and authentication.Continue Reading

• AWS, Microsoft and Google should retire these cloud services

  Nothing lasts forever. Whether they've been supplanted by newer offerings or simply outlived their usefulness, these cloud services on AWS, Azure and GCP are ready to be retired.Continue Reading

• Identify the Google Cloud developer tools you need

  Developers want more from their cloud than APIs and services; they want tools to accelerate and improve the app dev lifecycle. Use this rundown to assess Google Cloud's developer tool set.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between AKS and Azure Service Fabric?

  Azure users have a few ways to manage containers on Microsoft's cloud. Learn when and why to pick between two of them -- AKS and Service Fabric.Continue Reading

• Review hybrid cloud offerings that bring the cloud on premises

  Check out this roundup of hybrid cloud tools and services from AWS, Microsoft and Google that extend public cloud platforms into on-premises environments.Continue Reading

• The future of quantum computing in the cloud

  Quantum computing is the latest technology to catch the eyes of developers and cloud providers like AWS and Microsoft, but analysts predict it could still be years away from practical use.Continue Reading

• An overview of how AWS changed Lambda for the enterprise market

  Learn how AWS Lambda has been updated over the years to address shortcomings in its serverless computing platform, and how enterprises have become savvier about when to use it.Continue Reading

• Follow the evolution of AWS Lambda

  AWS Lambda sparked the rise of serverless computing in the cloud. Explore how the function-as-a-service platform developed over time with this infographic.Continue Reading

• 7 Google Cloud database options to free up your IT team

  Moving data to a cloud database is an effective way to optimize cost and performance for applications. Review seven of Google's database services and decide if one is right for you.Continue Reading

• The trouble with cloud evaluations amid too many choices

  Enterprises are inundated by choices in the cloud, but don't let the deluge stop your IT team from analyzing what's available. Make experimentation a regular part of your plans.Continue Reading

• 6 Amazon SageMaker capabilities developers should know about

  Developers and data scientists should familiarize themselves with these six SageMaker tools meant to simplify the machine learning process. Discover what they offer to your models.Continue Reading

• What to make of AWS' multi-cloud strategy, or lack thereof

  AWS eventually caved when it came to hybrid cloud. Some experts and partners say the same will happen with its multi-cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• How to pick the right third-party CI/CD tool for the cloud

  Learn the pros and cons of the main types of third-party CI/CD pipeline tools -- managed, self-hosted and code repositories -- and see why they're superior to cloud-native options.Continue Reading

• Know these edge computing challenges before you invest

  Public clouds are hubs for edge and IoT workloads, but they're still limited in terms of cost, connectivity and security. See what you need to know before you start an IoT project.Continue Reading

• The 2020 cloud acquisitions AWS, Microsoft and Google should make

  The major cloud providers offer a wide range of services, but they're far from perfect. Here are the 2020 acquisitions AWS, Microsoft and Google should make to shore up their platforms.Continue Reading

• Assess managed Kubernetes services for your workloads

  Managed services from cloud providers can simplify Kubernetes deployment but create some snags in a multi-cloud model. Follow three steps to see if these services can benefit you.Continue Reading

• Compare serverless tools and services in the public cloud

  Don't let your IT teams get consumed by infrastructure management tasks. Review these serverless compute offerings for more efficient application development.Continue Reading

• Compare web and mobile testing tools from AWS, Microsoft and Google

  Compare and contrast the mobile testing tools from the big three cloud vendors -- AWS Device Farm, Google Firebase Test Lab and Microsoft Visual Studio App Center Test.Continue Reading

• Lessons corporate users can learn from FedRAMP

  FedRAMP provides a standardized approach to cloud security across the U.S. federal government, but it can also serve as a guidepost for corporations in search of better practices.Continue Reading

• Is it time to consider a cloud exit strategy?

  Cloud repatriation -- or a cloud exit, as it is sometimes called -- is probably not a good choice in most situations. Sometimes, however, it's exactly the right thing to do.Continue Reading

• How to build a successful cloud migration plan in 3 steps

  Migrating to the cloud is not a simple task. Not all workloads benefit from the move, so hammer out a solid cloud migration strategy first.Continue Reading

• 5 cloud database comparison tips to guide your data strategy

  Catch up on these tips that compare the strengths, weakness and available integrations of popular public cloud database and analytics services from AWS, Microsoft and Google.Continue Reading

• Niche cloud providers take on market giants

  Choose the cloud that best fits your enterprise's needs. While one of the Big Three may seem like the most logical choice, a niche vendor might actually serve your needs better.Continue Reading

• Review these 3 key cloud computing trends from 2019

  What cloud trends played a large role in the IT industry in 2019? They might not be the first ones that come to mind.Continue Reading

• Get the lowdown on these 4 Google Cloud management services

  Google Cloud Platform offers numerous tools to manage and deploy resources -- each with its own specific focus. Learn about these four services before you get started on Google Cloud.Continue Reading

• Experts' cloud predictions for 2020

  This was a big year for cloud computing progress, so what's in store for 2020? See what contributors predict for security updates, container tech and more in the new year.Continue Reading

• Evaluate general and niche cloud service use cases

  Can't decide between a niche cloud provider or a hyperscaler? Review some real-world examples to help weigh the options and find the best fit for your workloads.Continue Reading

• Compare niche cloud services to the hyperscale offerings

  Consider your enterprise's specific needs when choosing between niche clouds and hyperscale clouds. Here's an overview of what you should know about both options.Continue Reading

• How to evaluate CASB tools for multi-cloud deployments

  When it comes to evaluating CASB tools, it's essential to be an informed customer. Identify your organization's usage and security goals to get the context you need before you buy.Continue Reading

• How much cloud does an IT disaster recovery plan need?

  It's not easy to get the right mix of traditional and cloud-based DR resources. Here's how to strike a balance between what's effective and what's affordable.Continue Reading

• The pros and cons of cloud disaster recovery

  Cloud DR is a great option, but it's not as easy as it might look. For starters, you'll need to carefully prepare data and have servers prebuilt as VMs in the cloud.Continue Reading

• How to start your cloud career

  As the IT field evolves, more professionals are pursuing cloud careers. To stand out in the crowd, you need proper training, skills and certifications.Continue Reading

• AI-driven development trends shake up the cloud market

  Enterprises are increasingly interested in AI, and cloud vendors are in a race to adapt their platforms to meet those needs. See what initiatives are underway to meet the next wave of app development.Continue Reading

• Get to know popular cloud monitoring tools

  With so many cloud monitoring services on the market, it can be difficult to choose. Review some of the popular tools available from AWS, Google and Azure -- as well as non-native options.Continue Reading

• How the Microsoft and Oracle partnership affects IT workloads

  Oracle and Microsoft's move to unite sometimes-competitive applications and cloud environments means that businesses can focus less on architecture rewrites and more on capabilities.Continue Reading

• Prepare your IT staff for a transition to the cloud

  The cloud requires different types of skills compared to on premises. While there's a learning curve to cloud roles, training current staff is a better bet than competing for talent.Continue Reading

• Cloud-first agenda reveals disadvantages of cloud services

  As hypervisor vendors push cloud services over software, organizations are faced with vendor lock-in, licensing changes and, in some cases, added technology and consulting costs.Continue Reading

• Decide between cloud-native apps and app modernization

  Whether you want to update current workloads as part of a migration or you're leaning toward a cloud-native model, review the benefits and drawbacks of each approach first.Continue Reading

• Bring cloud on prem with VMware Cloud on Dell EMC, AWS Outposts

  VMware Cloud on Dell EMC and the forthcoming AWS Outposts offer organizations rack-based hybrid cloud products that can extend their public cloud platforms to the data center.Continue Reading

• AWS vs. Azure: Compare VMware-based hybrid clouds

  Enterprises can extend their on-premises VMware environments to AWS or Azure, but they'll need to decide which one best meets their needs. See how the two managed services stack up.Continue Reading

• VMware Cloud on AWS adoption is on the rise in SMBs

  VMware's cloud platform isn't exclusive to enterprise-level industries; smaller organizations that adopt the platform can realize cloud advantages, such as high availability and flexibility.Continue Reading

• Weigh the challenges of multi-cloud disaster recovery

  An enterprise could craft a multi-cloud backup strategy, but that doesn't mean it should. Weigh the potential benefits against the myriad challenges presented by this approach.Continue Reading

• Zenoss automates transition to cloud-based IT monitoring

  In an effort to improve the user experience while transitioning from on-premises to cloud-based monitoring, Zenoss has added new capabilities to its platform.Continue Reading

• Take a closer look at the AWS Hero and Microsoft MVP programs

  Certifications are a popular option for candidates to gain credibility in a certain technology. Learn how AWS Heroes and Microsoft MVP programs help IT pros stand out from the crowd.Continue Reading

• Top 6 Google cloud certification programs

  The cloud job market continues to grow, but it can be hard to get your resume to the top of the pile. Consider these Google cloud certifications to stand out from the crowd.Continue Reading

• What are the best criteria to use to evaluate cloud service providers?

  Many cloud providers are tight-lipped about internal security control details. Learn how to evaluate cloud security providers with certifications and third-party assessments.Continue Reading

• A comparison of 6 speech-to-text services

  AWS, Microsoft and Google can add speech-to-text capabilities to apps, but they're not your only option. Compare those cloud-based tools to other AI-infused transcription services.Continue Reading

• Assess the pros and cons of citizen developers in the enterprise

  When it comes to citizen developers and no-code/low-code, there really is no one-size-fits-all approach. Determine their value, as well as their limitations, for your specific app development needs.Continue Reading

• Public cloud services grow HPC market, but work remains

  HPC applications need a lot of resources, but not all enterprises can meet those requirements. However, new cloud services are emerging to address that gap in the market.Continue Reading

• Do multi-tenant environments still create noisy neighbors?

  A noisy neighbor isn't just a real-world problem. Learn how a noisy neighbor can affect workload performance and how the public cloud has changed to address this issue.Continue Reading

• Compare Google Cloud Firestore and Firebase Realtime Database

  Managed NoSQL databases are increasingly popular for app development. Compare two such options from Google -- Realtime Database and Cloud Firestore -- to see if they meet your needs.Continue Reading

• Move data with these Google cloud migration tools

  From physical appliances to professional services, here's a quick rundown of the tools your team might want to consider for a migration to Google Cloud Platform.Continue Reading

• Explore Azure interface options for cloud developers

  All cloud providers, including Microsoft, offer a range of resources to aid cloud development, deployment and management. Explore the various interfaces Azure developers can use to accomplish these tasks.Continue Reading

• CASB tools evolve to meet broader set of cloud security needs

  When choosing a CASB, enterprises face two primary options: a stand-alone service from a third party or a bundled tool set from some of the large cloud providers. It's important to pick your flavor wisely.Continue Reading

• Is a Cloud Foundry deployment right for you?

  Enterprise PaaS needs have grown from streamlining app deployment to the ability to use the hosting infrastructure of their choice -- which has put Cloud Foundry in the spotlight.Continue Reading

• IT teams face an uphill battle with serverless migrations

  Moving serverless functions between cloud platforms is met with various obstacles. Make sure to look out for the following key features before starting the process.Continue Reading

• How should app developers choose a cloud provider?

  Not every service in the cloud matters to developers. Look for these core features, and see which providers stand out when it comes to microservices, containers, AI services and IDEs.Continue Reading

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure seeks a spot in the IaaS market

  Don't count out Oracle IaaS before knowing what it has to offer. Learn where Oracle Cloud Infrastructure excels and what to expect from this public cloud offering.Continue Reading

• Microsoft Azure AD complements Active Directory

  Azure users have a cloud-based version of Active Directory at their fingertips, but it's not a carbon copy of the on-premises version. Learn how to use the services in tandem.Continue Reading

• What do the top cloud security providers offer in 2019?

  Cloud security providers need to play catch-up with the evolving advancements in cloud technology. Find out what the top CSPs offer today and which one is right for you.Continue Reading

• Evaluate the Azure serverless tools to ease deployment anxiety

  So you want to build a serverless application on Microsoft Azure? Explore the tools and features that support those apps and determine how you want to manage your eventflow.Continue Reading

• Deploy Azure low-priority VMs -- strategically

  Microsoft's low-priority VMs come with big savings -- and a catch. Learn how to incorporate them into your cost optimization efforts and see how they stack up to the competition.Continue Reading

• TOSCA and other cloud standardization efforts stall

  As enterprises continue to work with multiple cloud models, they are sure to face integration, interoperability and portability issues. Cloud standards may still be the answer.Continue Reading

• Break down 11 Google big data services

  Navigating the range of big data services on Google Cloud Platform can be a challenge. Here is a list that breaks down what Google offers in the realm of big data analytics.Continue Reading

• Azure API Management consumption tier targets serverless

  Azure's API Management consumption tier is built to manage serverless APIs, but it lacks many features users take for granted. Find out if its benefits outweigh the drawbacks.Continue Reading

• Cloud cost calculators come with some limitations

  Enterprises that plan to move to the cloud should get a good idea of the costs upfront. While calculator tools can give you an estimate, they don't factor in external costs.Continue Reading

• Put your serverless computing knowledge to the test

  The word 'serverless' is on everyone in IT's lips, but do you know the basics? Take this quiz and find out.Continue Reading

• What are common uses for cloud AI APIs?

  Curious about AI? See top use cases of how cloud-based AI APIs and services can boost application functionality.Continue Reading

• Updated Microsoft Azure certifications emphasize IT roles

  Microsoft revamped its public cloud certifications in a move away from holistic skill sets. Review the newly tailored exams you'll need to take to get the Azure seal of approval.Continue Reading

• Understand AI and machine learning security impacts on cloud apps

  Cloud-based machine learning can alleviate and aggravate security concerns. Review analysis and advice from our experts to stay on top of this emerging aspect of IT.Continue Reading

• Google tool signals move to greater cloud transparency

  Access Transparency users can review the work Google admins did on their cloud accounts. It's a step toward greater accountability, but large organizations will want even more.Continue Reading

• Examine the top low-code development platform options

  Nontechnical users can now build applications with little or no coding experience. However, there are many factors to consider before you jump in.Continue Reading