Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Acquisition talk mounts as Kurian plots Google's cloud plans

  It may not be a question of if, but when Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian makes acquisitions to round out the company's cloud platform portfolio. Continue Reading

• Get started with natural language processing APIs in cloud

  As the cloud makes AI technology increasingly accessible to enterprises, more developers look to incorporate natural language processing into their apps. Continue Reading

• Private cloud platforms step out of the shadows

  Enterprises often confront a choice: public or private cloud. Public cloud may be the easy option, but it isn't the right one for everyone. Continue Reading

• Cloud disaster recovery services evolve, but gaps remain

  A severe outage can cripple a business, which is why a disaster recovery plan is critical. While today's DRaaS offerings make it easier to recover, there's still room for growth. Continue Reading

• Implement cloud failover, replication for workload protection

  Businesses increasingly use public cloud services as workload protection targets. But cloud failover and replication are hardly hands-off processes for IT teams. Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud trends offer lessons for potential adopters

  Hybrid cloud use cases are growing more compelling as the need for workload flexibility increases. Potential adopters should plan ahead with these deployment and migration lessons.Continue Reading

• How AWS, Azure and Google approach service mesh technology

  While AWS, Azure and Google all offer service mesh technologies to streamline microservices management, they also have distinct differences users should understand.Continue Reading

• 5 open source cloud monitoring tools to evaluate in 2019

  Open source monitoring tools can offer a number of advantages over cloud providers' native options. Review these five to find out which tool is best for your cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• It's time to rethink app migration strategies for cloud

  As applications increasingly become a collection of services rather than monolithic pieces of software, enterprises will start to question and rethink traditional migration practices.Continue Reading

• Cloud predictions for 2019 hone in on containers, IT skills

  Our expert contributors share the trends and technologies they expect to make waves in the cloud market in 2019.Continue Reading

• Prepare for these 3 cloud computing challenges in 2019

  As enterprise cloud strategies continue to mature, IT teams will face a new set of challenges in 2019, ranging from cost governance to the management of complex, heterogeneous architectures.Continue Reading

• Experienced cloud architects, engineers in high demand for 2019

  Despite all the buzz around emerging technologies such as serverless, many enterprises in 2019 will first look to round out their core cloud management and development skill sets.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud technologies become table stakes in IaaS market

  In 2018, IaaS providers upped their commitment to hybrid cloud. Expect that trend to continue in full force next year -- with some key distinctions between vendors' strategies.Continue Reading

• Secure data in the cloud with encryption and access controls

  Enterprises can't rely on their IaaS provider to protect sensitive information in the cloud. Implement these data security techniques to mitigate potential risks.Continue Reading

• Test your knowledge of 2018 cloud acquisitions

  To extend their offerings, top cloud providers made numerous acquisitions in 2018. Take this quiz to see if you remember some of the biggest deals that went down.Continue Reading

• When to manage APIs with cloud-native vs. third-party tools

  As enterprises break out applications into smaller components, both in the development cycle and for operational scalability, APIs become more important -- as does proper management.Continue Reading

• Integration tactics to ease hybrid, multi-cloud environments

  Hybrid and multi-cloud are increasingly common deployment models, which makes integration a priority. Review three specific approaches to connect on-premises and cloud-based systems.Continue Reading

• Compare Docker containers vs. VMs for app dev environments

  While there are important technical distinctions between VMs and containers, the reasons developers opt for the latter are often more philosophical, or cultural, in nature.Continue Reading

• Cloudlets extend cloud power to edge with virtualized delivery

  Cloud computing power for IoT and mobile devices is within reach due to the capabilities of cloudlets, which use virtualization and small data centers to extend computing power.Continue Reading

• Compare cloud container registries from AWS, Azure and Google

  Many developers use the Docker Hub container registry, but there are other options from AWS, Azure and Google. Explore these provider-native registries, and their key differences.Continue Reading

• Evaluate 3 cloud-native CI/CD pipeline tools

  When it comes to continuous integration and delivery tools, there is no shortage of comparable options -- including those from public cloud providers, such as AWS, Azure and Google.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based quantum computing inches slowly toward enterprise

  A lot of questions -- and complexity -- still surround quantum computing. But as enterprises eventually ramp up with the technology, most will do so through cloud-based services.Continue Reading

• A quick quiz on machine learning services in public cloud

  From customized hardware to APIs, public cloud providers now tout a wide range of machine learning and AI technologies. How well have you kept up with this rapidly evolving market?Continue Reading

• Properly configure resources to reduce cloud security threats

  Misconfigured cloud resources can quickly open the door to IT risks. Be mindful of access controls, and don't brush off your cloud provider's recommended security practices.Continue Reading

• Understand the ins and outs of private cloud architecture

  Private clouds are based on server virtualization, but they aren't the same. Organizations must consider private cloud's specific use cases in comparison to server virtualization.Continue Reading

• AWS, Microsoft and Google push on with hybrid cloud strategies

  As enterprises' appetite for hybrid cloud grows, the rivalry between AWS, Microsoft and Google will increasingly revolve around on-premises environments.Continue Reading

• AI and machine learning take on cloud security woes

  AI-infused technologies continue to target almost all aspects of cloud monitoring and management, including security. But don't assume they're a silver bullet.Continue Reading

• Don't dwell on the nuances of low-code vs. no-code

  As more and more business users acquire basic programming skills, enterprises shouldn't get too caught up in the nuances between low-code and no-code platforms.Continue Reading

• Estimate cloud computing costs prior to app migration

  Enterprises should enlist a number of resources, including cost calculators and third-party tools, to assess what they'll pay for cloud computing -- before they start migration.Continue Reading

• Containers, cloud orchestration tools rattle DevOps foundation

  Any form of virtualization that disconnects infrastructure from apps threatens the foundation of DevOps and could push IT toward more cloud-native and container orchestration tools.Continue Reading

• Machine learning tools ease cloud security, log management

  Machine learning has increasingly found a home in enterprise cloud management teams, but the technology is still far from being a magic fix for complex tasks, such as multi-cloud cost optimization.Continue Reading

• Manage microservices in cloud with these native tools

  AWS, Microsoft and Google all offer native resources and tools to support microservices-based architectures, most of which rely heavily on containers and service mesh technology.Continue Reading

• Google Stackdriver enhances alerts, adds Kubernetes support

  A recent round of updates to Google's monitoring tool gives IT and development teams more options to set up alerts, track usage and support Kubernetes, both in the cloud and on premises.Continue Reading

• Automation poses risk and reward for cloud operations teams

  While there's some concern among IT staff that automation will displace jobs, don't panic yet. There are several ways to stay relevant, and even thrive, in the age of automation.Continue Reading

• Navigate your options for Oracle cloud certifications

  Oracle certifications, including those for cloud, can build foundational knowledge or expand existing IT skills. The first challenge, though, is to find the right training path.Continue Reading

• Quiz yourself on cloud-native app development tools

  There are many app development tools in the cloud market, including those from top IaaS providers. Take this quiz to gauge your knowledge of some popular native options.Continue Reading

• Multi-cloud adds worries to the cost of cloud services

  The use of more than one cloud provider opens plenty of opportunities for a savvy IT organization, but the multi-cloud approach also makes cost management a troublesome chore.Continue Reading

• Cost management the next big issue in multi-cloud computing

  Multi-cloud computing continues to make its way into the enterprises and, as it does, introduces some significant cost management challenges.Continue Reading

• Single-tenant cloud services help alleviate security concerns

  What happens when an enterprise wants the benefits of cloud but without the multi-tenancy? Isolated services are available for those willing to pay.Continue Reading

• Serverless platforms limit programming language options

  Serverless computing can reduce infrastructure costs and streamline development processes, but don't assume that your programming language of choice will be available.Continue Reading

• Compare IaC tools for hybrid, multi-cloud environments

  Infrastructure-as-code tools come in two flavors: third-party and those native to a certain cloud provider. Keep these factors in mind to choose the right one.Continue Reading

• How Azure Cloud Shell can streamline resource management

  Azure Cloud Shell's browser-based model frees IT teams from installation headaches but presents some formatting and timeout issues that admins need to watch for.Continue Reading

• Overcome 9 microservices challenges for platform flexibility

  It's all well and good to tear apart your monolith, but a careless microservices approach can result in the same old problems. Watch out for these nine hurdles.Continue Reading

• Open source low-code platforms extend app dev capabilities

  Enterprises want their apps to go to market as fast as possible. Low-code platforms accelerate development processes, and with open source, these platforms are more customizable.Continue Reading

• Cloud vendor lock-in fears dwindle for enterprises

  Vendor lock-in concerns are slowly dissipating as enterprises prioritize functionality and speed to market. Other concerns continue to climb up the list, including skills and compliance.Continue Reading

• Machine learning services in cloud aim for AI accessibility

  Machine learning is a complex technology that requires data science skills. Cloud providers have tried to change that and make AI more accessible. But are those efforts working?Continue Reading

• Azure Stack growing pains could weigh on enterprise appeal

  Microsoft's hybrid cloud platform continues to pique the interest of enterprise IT shops but still lacks the maturity and breadth of the Azure public cloud.Continue Reading

• The enterprise will kill cloud innovation -- but that's OK

  Hyperscale cloud providers grew incredibly fast and created a whole new way of doing business. That's great, but it's also a problem that needs fixing.Continue Reading

• Compare cloud API management tools from AWS, Azure and Google

  While the API management tools from top cloud providers share some functionality, there are key differences that developers -- especially those in a multi-cloud model -- should know.Continue Reading

• Legacy roots still hinder Oracle and IBM cloud strategies

  As IBM and Oracle look to shift away from legacy systems and hone in on IaaS, it won't be a clean cut. Still, each vendor has its sweet spot in the overall cloud market.Continue Reading

• Nvidia GPU Cloud marries data science and containers

  With its GPU Cloud, Nvidia offers a way to deploy data science workloads that span on-premises systems and the public cloud -- with containers playing a big role.Continue Reading

• It's time to tap into the business value of cloud computing

  With increasing market maturity, all cloud adopters -- not just the Netflixes of the world -- have a chance to translate the technology into a competitive business edge.Continue Reading

• What's a cloud migration factory, and how does it work?

  When properly implemented -- and understood -- a cloud migration factory combines the right mix of people, processes and tools to smoothly transition an app into the public cloud.Continue Reading

• Cloud billing surprises help pinpoint app performance issues

  To assess cloud app performance, don't forget to closely monitor monthly bills from your IaaS provider. They might point to inefficiencies you'd otherwise overlook.Continue Reading

• Choose the best PaaS tool for your app dev needs

  Given the vast and rapidly evolving PaaS market, dev teams often struggle to find the tool that's best for them. Use this guide to review key PaaS benefits and provider options.Continue Reading

• Evaluate Google Cloud TPUs for machine learning apps

  Machine learning apps have prompted a paradigm shift in the world of public cloud. Google is an early market leader with its TPUs and TensorFlow, but can it stay on top?Continue Reading

• Overcome app deployment challenges in a multi-cloud strategy

  Looking to adopt a multi-cloud model? Be sure to address these common app deployment, redeployment and scaling challenges first.Continue Reading

• Harden cloud apps with a secure software development lifecycle

  Wouldn't it be nice if every application were 100% cloud-ready? Unfortunately, that's often not the case, which can lead to security risks down the line if not properly addressed.Continue Reading

• Evolve IT staff, skill sets for a multi-cloud strategy

  To effectively implement and manage a multi-cloud architecture, enterprises first need IT team members who hold a unique mix of technical and business skills.Continue Reading

• Assess the pros and cons of leading PaaS tools

  Unsure which PaaS provider will best meet your development needs? Dive in to this roundup of common vendor options and the features they offer to simplify that decision.Continue Reading

• With progressive web applications, developers blur the lines

  With progressive web applications, single-page apps, motion UI and other innovations, app development meets the moment, giving users what they want, where they want it.Continue Reading

• Web app development morphs as apps and websites merge

  The lines between web and mobile app and websites are blurring, so development silos are out, and boning up on building progressive web apps and single-page apps is in.Continue Reading

• IPaaS tools aim to alleviate app integration troubles

  With the rise of hybrid cloud architectures, there's a heightened need for more sophisticated app and data integration tools. IPaaS can help but isn't necessarily a cure-all.Continue Reading

• Embrace automation in a hybrid cloud deployment: Free chapter

  Hybrid cloud is complex, and while automation helps, it also presents new risks. This book by Clive Longbottom dives into the details cloud adopters should know.Continue Reading

• Four signs you need a third-party cloud management platform

  In a multi-cloud deployment, IaaS providers' native tools for admins often fall short. These four signs indicate it's time to invest in a third-party cloud management tool.Continue Reading

• Bolster multi-cloud security with these data privacy tips

  Data privacy is always a top priority for enterprise IT teams. And those with a multi-cloud model should adopt a mix of security techniques -- from erasure coding to encryption.Continue Reading

• Azure PaaS strategy hones in on hybrid cloud, containers

  Microsoft's PaaS offerings might have a leg-up in terms of support for hybrid deployments, but the vendor still faces tough competition in a quickly evolving app-dev market.Continue Reading

• Three ways to ensure app portability in a multi-cloud strategy

  As multi-cloud adoption grows, developers need to be careful they don't sacrifice application portability for the sake of using provider-native services.Continue Reading

• Emerging PaaS model puts cloud app dev into the fast lane

  As they grapple with application backlogs and a shortage of seasoned, business-savvy developers, enterprises will increasingly look to drag-and-drop programming options.Continue Reading

• Enterprises wrestle with OpenStack backup, DR challenges

  To work around the manual and often tedious processes associated with OpenStack DR and backup, some enterprises have turned to third-party tools.Continue Reading

• Evaluate PaaS vendors based on these two types of features

  To determine whether a PaaS provider will meet their needs, buyers should look closely at what the vendor offers for development tools, automation, collaboration and more.Continue Reading

• Don't let Kubernetes services stall a multi-cloud strategy

  Despite the benefits of managed Kubernetes services from AWS, Microsoft and Google, these offerings can impede workload portability when tied closely to other provider-native tools.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud adoption trends and strategies explained

  Hybrid cloud deployments are gaining traction because they enable private cloud security and public cloud flexibility, and orchestration between the two cloud models has improved.Continue Reading

• Top IaaS providers slowly warm up to multi-cloud

  While major IaaS vendors all offer some flavor of multi-cloud support, they still have work to do to help customers achieve the dream of seamless portability.Continue Reading

• Evaluate private cloud service providers in the market

  Red Hat, Microsoft and VMware all provide private cloud environments that offer security and compliance, but it's important to consider other business needs, as well.Continue Reading

• Weigh the benefits of PaaS providers against lock-in risks

  The right PaaS environment enables developers to focus on what they care about most: building a successful application. But it also brings new risks -- particularly around lock-in.Continue Reading

• Test your private vs. public cloud knowledge

  Although public and private clouds might seem similar on the surface, they differ greatly in terms of their architecture and use cases. Take our quiz to see if you know your stuff.Continue Reading

• Are AWS certificate authority services trustworthy?

  AWS now operates as its own CA. What are the potential risks of the new AWS certificate authority services? Expert Dave Shackleford outlines the pros and cons of this new setup.Continue Reading

• Top 5 features to look for in private cloud services offerings

  When evaluating private cloud services, consider offerings that provide an intuitive self-service portal, RBAC, capacity planning and policy enforcement for tenant workloads.Continue Reading

• Four tips for a successful hybrid cloud POC

  A hybrid cloud proof of concept is an important step to ensure a deployment will fully meet IT and business needs. Mind these best practices around data, networks and more.Continue Reading

• Amazon Virtual Private Cloud 101: Features, pricing and more

  Evaluate the key features of Amazon Virtual Private Cloud, learn about its advantages and disadvantages, and consider pricing and best practices before implementing the platform.Continue Reading

• Find a way forward in the cloud vs. virtualization debate

  IT admins weighing the options available for cloud and virtualization services against use cases and economics must navigate a complex market with an uncertain future.Continue Reading

• Cloud-based applications pose tough integration challenges

  Even though SaaS applications are now indispensible to many enterprises, their lack of flexibility still presents a challenge around integration and management.Continue Reading

• Cloud billing APIs enable greater cost transparency

  No enterprise wants to be surprised by its cloud computing bill. And, even as providers offer more visibility into users' costs through APIs and other tools, obstacles remain.Continue Reading

• Know what to look for in a cloud management platform

  Like so many decisions in IT, choosing a cloud management tool takes time. Be sure to outline your key goals for resource deployment, cost monitoring and more.Continue Reading

• The best multi-cloud strategy is to just ignore the hype

  Vague vendor and analyst definitions for multi-cloud only confuse business leaders and put IT professionals in a precarious position.Continue Reading

• Compare virtual private cloud server providers

  Cost is an important factor to consider when evaluating different VPC providers, but the kind of hardware and data lines the providers offer plays a role, too.Continue Reading

• Cloud-native low-code platforms rival third-party options

  To choose between native and third-party low-code tools, application development teams need to weigh the benefits of consolidation against the risk of lock-in.Continue Reading

• Virtual private cloud vs. private cloud differences explained

  Virtual private clouds and private clouds differ in terms of architecture, the provider and tenants, and resource delivery. Decide between the two models based on these distinctions.Continue Reading

• Users demand more from containers in cloud

  Technology is always advancing, but it needs to march in the direction that users want. Containers are maturing, but plenty of IT pros still want more from the technology.Continue Reading

• IaaS and PaaS blurred lines increase lock-in risks

  There are three distinct cloud service categories: IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. However, IaaS and PaaS are getting a little too close, and you need to be aware of vendor lock-in risks.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud advantages and disadvantages explained

  Hybrid cloud is touted as providing the best of both private and public clouds, but this type of infrastructure comes with its own pros and cons, such as flexibility and complexity.Continue Reading

• Single pane of glass for multi-cloud management still elusive

  Unified management for multi-cloud remains a work in progress. Vendors have yet to produce the perfect single-pane-of-glass tool -- and some IT teams can't afford to wait for one.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud providers offer different architecture types

  Hybrid cloud means different things to different vendors; some set aside part of the public cloud for private cloud purposes and others simply support an on-premises private cloud.Continue Reading

• Hybrid cloud deployment demands a change in security mindset

  To fully protect data in a hybrid cloud model, enterprises need to scrutinize integration points, network access controls and the policies they have in place.Continue Reading

• Brace your IT operations team for a cloud migration

  A cloud migration isn't as easy as some providers suggest. Use these five tips to prep your IT ops teams for the big management and support changes that lie ahead.Continue Reading

• Azure Machine Learning services ease data science struggles

  With Azure machine learning services, such as Workbench, Experimentation and Model Management, Microsoft hopes to address common data science challenges in the enterprise.Continue Reading

• Azure Migrate aims to attract VMware workloads to the cloud

  A new Azure service removes a lot of the guesswork for IT teams that want to move VMs to Microsoft's public cloud. But will a lack of early support from VMware hurt its appeal?Continue Reading

• With more providers, security issues in cloud computing rise

  We hear a lot about the pros and cons of a multi-cloud strategy, but a surprising number of organizations don't think they need to worry about it. They do.Continue Reading

• Simplify multi-cloud management with two abstraction models

  To streamline management and reduce complexity in a multi-cloud model, enterprises can turn to two abstraction techniques: resource and orchestration.Continue Reading