Cloud app development and management
To develop, deploy and manage cloud applications, an organization needs to write and configure apps in ways that meet performance and reliability goals without consuming an inordinate amount of costly cloud resources. These requirements demand that an IT team create -- and commit to -- a realistic cloud app development and management strategy.
Top Stories
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Feature
29 Oct 2024
Top 12 cloud computing careers of 2025 and how to get started
Cloud computing touches many aspects of modern life, and cloud professionals are in demand. See the many positions, salaries and skills needed to launch a cloud computing career. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2024
10 key characteristics of cloud computing
Evaluate how these 10 characteristics of cloud computing, such as on-demand self-service and broad network access, can help you become a more nimble and cost-effective business. Continue Reading
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Tip
25 Jan 2019
Keep an eye on these third-party cloud management tools
Examine what third-party vendors can bring to the table before you choose your cloud provider's native management tools as a default option. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jan 2019
Words to go: Azure migration services
Before Microsoft shops begin to move workloads from on-premises data centers to Azure, they should carefully choose a migration tool to help forge their path. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Jan 2019
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
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Opinion
08 Jan 2019
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
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Feature
31 Dec 2018
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
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Tip
28 Dec 2018
Build and share code via Azure Notebooks
An Azure service enables enterprises to host Jupyter Notebooks in the cloud to ease access and management. Learn whether it could benefit your dev team, and how to get started. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Dec 2018
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
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Tip
13 Dec 2018
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
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Tip
26 Nov 2018
Assess native cloud monitoring tools from top IaaS providers
Monitoring tools from Google, AWS and Azure all share a common goal: help developers optimize application performance. But they also have key differences that users should note. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Nov 2018
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
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Tip
13 Nov 2018
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
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News
12 Nov 2018
Cloud cost management tools heat up with Apptio sale
Why does private equity firm Vista Equity Partners want to pay nearly $2 billion for IT spend analytics vendor Apptio? Here's a clue: It's the rise of hybrid cloud. Continue Reading
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News
08 Nov 2018
Google Cloud Scheduler brings job automation to GCP
Google's Cloud Scheduler managed service assists with job execution and management for cloud workloads, and it evens another score with AWS and Azure. Continue Reading
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Quiz
07 Nov 2018
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
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Tip
31 Oct 2018
Support for SaaS applications demands a hands-on approach
While they reduce some management burdens for enterprise IT teams, SaaS apps don't exactly run on autopilot, either. Be sure to put a proper support model in place. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2018
IBM, Red Hat customers should watch acquisition closely
IBM said Red Hat will remain independent after its $34 billion deal goes through, and there are reasons for customers to believe that. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2018
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
- 25 Oct 2018
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Tip
24 Oct 2018
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
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Tip
12 Oct 2018
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
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Tip
11 Oct 2018
Map out a smooth migration to Azure Resource Manager
As the classic Azure portal becomes outmoded, enterprises need to migrate to ARM -- but the change doesn't always come easy. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth move. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2018
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
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Quiz
28 Sep 2018
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
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Feature
05 Sep 2018
Take responsibility for SaaS application security
Can't keep up with cloud app security hardening? Experts say it's time to implement DevSecOps initiatives and look to third-party security tools and services. Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2018
CloudHealth's Kinsella weighs in on VMware, cloud management
VMware expanded its footprint in cloud management when it acquired CloudHealth Technologies. CloudHealth CTO Joe Kinsella observed the market changes that call for a complex management portfolio. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2018
Accelerate API dev with documentation-driven development
A missing cloud API doesn't mean all work needs to stop. Engineering and development teams can work with a mock API server until the real API is production-ready. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2018
Dig into Azure Kubernetes Service networking options
Enterprises that choose the wrong AKS networking option could face poor performance and higher costs. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of each option before you rush in. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2018
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
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Tip
13 Aug 2018
Map application dependencies to prepare for cloud migration
The practices a development team puts in place to manage dependencies before a move to the cloud will determine how smoothly apps run long after they get there. Continue Reading
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Tip
02 Aug 2018
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
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Feature
01 Aug 2018
Container security tools pump up the platform
Startups are developing technologies that fill in some of the security gaps, including better controls for container orchestration. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Jul 2018
A cloud migration assessment lets IT look before it leaps
Some workloads simply aren't cut out for cloud -- at least not without modification. Here's how to carefully assess your apps for public cloud migration before you make the move. Continue Reading
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Tip
18 Jul 2018
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
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News
17 Jul 2018
Microsoft Azure Dev Spaces, Google Jib target Kubernetes woes
Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud both added cloud application development tools that improve and simplify the process of creating apps that run on the respective platforms. Continue Reading
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News
16 Jul 2018
Microsoft bills Azure network as the hub for remote offices
Azure Virtual WAN is Microsoft's bid to play in the emerging SD-WAN space, as it seeks to solve users' networking problems while it adds new customers. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Jul 2018
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
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Feature
06 Jul 2018
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
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Tip
03 Jul 2018
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
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News
28 Jun 2018
VMware's managed Kubernetes service enters a crowded race
VMware Kubernetes Engine is the latest service from vendors that want to jump into the container business, and it's another signal of VMware's changing take on cloud. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2018
Pulumi aims to become standard cloud dev platform
Aiming to help developers build and scale applications for multi-cloud environments, Seattle-based startup Pulumi has delivered a cloud development platform. Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2018
Unchecked cloud IoT costs can quickly spiral upward
IoT sensors can produce seemingly endless streams of data, so users must beware how much to send back to the cloud to avoid jaw-dropping monthly bills. Continue Reading
- 18 Jun 2018
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Feature
11 Jun 2018
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
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News
08 Jun 2018
Google adds single-tenant VMs for compliance, license cares
Google continues its quest to be a more enterprise-friendly cloud, as it adds VMs with isolated hardware that could help companies with specific legacy requirements. Continue Reading
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News
30 May 2018
Developers set to build AI for Accessibility apps
Developers will support Microsoft's $25 million push to get software makers to build apps that benefit disabled individuals. Continue Reading
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Feature
29 May 2018
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
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Tip
17 May 2018
Five critical tests for cloud application performance, security
To keep end users happy, dev teams should regularly test the performance and security of cloud-hosted applications. Tools from cloud providers and third-party vendors can help. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 May 2018
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
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News
14 May 2018
Google buys Velostrata to take the lead on cloud migrations
The latest Google acquisition is all about the enterprise market, as it aims to fold in Velostrata to ease the transition from private data centers to its public cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 May 2018
Prepare cloud-based applications for container technology
To properly prepare cloud applications for containers, be sure to emphasize a service-based architecture and understand your management options upfront. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2018
C3 IoT simplifies AI and IoT app development
The C3 IoT low-code development platform helps developers of all skill levels build AI and other next-generation applications without having to write any code. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2018
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
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Tip
23 Apr 2018
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
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Tip
20 Apr 2018
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
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Tip
18 Apr 2018
Get started with Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform
Despite its benefits, Red Hat OpenShift is just one technology amid a growing list intended to simplify container management and deployment for development and ops teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Apr 2018
Compare management options for Google Kubernetes Engine
Google supports various management options for its Kubernetes Engine service, and while each has its pros and cons, you should base your decision largely on experience. Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2018
Flow logs sharpen visibility into GCP network
Google Cloud juiced up its networking capabilities with the addition of VPC Flow Logs. It's an important feature for enterprises accustomed to these insights on their own networks. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Apr 2018
Cloud application performance hinges on a solid testing plan
When you neglect quality control testing, cloud app performance can suffer. Explore specific types of tests to run and tools that can guide the process. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Apr 2018
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
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Tip
06 Apr 2018
Four options to manage stateful apps in the cloud
Stateful applications in the cloud pose an ongoing challenge for development and operations teams. Review four ways to address those issues and keep your apps running smoothly. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Apr 2018
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
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Definition
27 Mar 2018
Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances
Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances (RIs) are a type of virtual machine (VM) on the Azure public cloud that a development or IT team can reserve to use in advance. Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2018
Google Cloud Platform security updates buoy enterprise appeal
Google Cloud Platform upgrades provide deeper protection and visibility for enterprise assets in the cloud, as organizations increasingly mull multi-cloud options. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Mar 2018
BPM in cloud evolves to suit line of business, IoT
While on-premises BPM tools have caused a tug of war between lines of business and IT, the cloud helps appease both sides. Here's what to expect from this cloud BPM trend and more. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Mar 2018
Don't overlook these practices in software modernization
During app modernization projects, teams commonly overlook basic goals, processes and tools, which can sully app launches as a result. Continue Reading
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Tip
12 Mar 2018
Use LinuxKit to increase container portability
With LinuxKit, Docker continues its push for better container portability. Learn how the tool can help your apps run across various platforms, as well as its potential limitations. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2018
Modernize legacy applications with containers, microservices
To break down monolithic apps and modernize them for cloud deployment, enterprise development teams continue to turn to containers and microservices. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2018
Manage app dependencies carefully for serverless platforms
Application dependencies are tough to manage in serverless computing. Developers need to take specific steps, including the establishment of a well-defined CI/CD process, to cope. Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Feb 2018
Look beyond public cloud giants for the right PaaS offering
While the leading public cloud vendors remain a popular choice for PaaS, there are other offerings, ranging from Heroku to Engine Yard, that might be worth a closer look. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
22 Feb 2018
Cloud-centric IBM patents promise payoff
IBM plans to commercialize investments in cloud R&D into products, services and tools that draw new customers. Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2018
Xively buy broadens Google Cloud IoT tool utility
The latest Google Cloud acquisition points to a doubling down on IoT, as the company tries to keep pace with AWS and Microsoft Azure in this emerging market. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Feb 2018
Containerized applications and the portability dream
To make containers work within a cloud strategy, you're going to need to carefully consider the complexities of porting an application from platform to platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Feb 2018
Application release automation drifts to the cloud
CI/CD initiatives will spark increased adoption of app release automation tools this year, including those hosted in the cloud, but the market hasn't fully matured just yet. Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
Can niche cloud players take on hyperscale cloud providers?
AWS, Azure and GCP are top of mind for public cloud market share, but companies lower down the ranks want their piece of the pie, too. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Feb 2018
Review chatbot development options in public cloud
As users look to interact with applications via more natural language and text, chatbots become increasingly popular. And many developers turn to the public cloud to create them. Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2018
IBM taps Mendix for low-code platform deal
As the market to empower citizen app developers heats up, IBM and Mendix have joined forces to deliver low-code tools for the IBM Cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Feb 2018
Mitigate low-code/no-code platform security risks
While you can't entirely avoid the security risks of low-code and no-code platforms, you can mitigate them. Here's a look at the top vulnerabilities and how to combat them. Continue Reading
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Tip
31 Jan 2018
Compare managed Kubernetes services from AWS and Azure
AWS and Azure have both rolled out a managed service for Kubernetes, and while their overall aim is the same, there are key differences users should note. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jan 2018
Big data in cloud computing demands an IT skill set change
Enterprises continue to shift big data workloads to the cloud. And while the move doesn't require a total overhaul of IT skills, it does demand some change for admin and dev teams. Continue Reading
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Tip
16 Jan 2018
BPM market advances around AI, cloud technology
As AI, microservices and other emerging technologies transform the BPM industry, enterprises need to carefully navigate their business processes to the cloud to avoid GRC risks. Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Jan 2018
Serverless, containers shape future of cloud computing
Experts seem to agree that serverless platforms, containers and the eventual merging of the two will be the biggest cloud trends to follow this year. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Jan 2018
App development teams brace for big change in 2018
Multi-cloud, blockchain and more sophisticated PaaS tools are three trends expected to reshape app development practices in 2018. Is your team ready for the change? Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2018
Meltdown and Spectre target cloud computing environments
Hackers could target cloud computing environments to exploit the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities, but AWS, Microsoft and Google say their fixes are enough to bar the doors. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Jan 2018
Azure App Service Isolated boosts security and PaaS performance
Aimed at organizations with unique security needs, Azure App Service Environment v2 lets applications run in a dedicated network without sacrificing scale or performance. Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Jan 2018
Four ways the container ecosystem will evolve in 2018
The container market constantly evolves, as new technologies and uses emerge. See what the new year will bring with these four container predictions around IoT, Windows and more. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Dec 2017
Build an application migration plan step by step
To migrate apps to the cloud, start with nonessential workloads and move to more mission-critical ones from there. But, remember, some apps might not be suited for cloud at all. Continue Reading
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Answer
11 Dec 2017
What is a Helm Chart and how can it improve microservices?
Learn about Helm Charts and how Kubernetes supports a microservices architecture. Expert Ken Milberg discusses what you need to know before delving in. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Dec 2017
Explore the benefits, tradeoffs of GPU instances in cloud
While GPU instances can give compute-intensive apps the processing boost they need, not all workloads -- or budgets -- will benefit from these cloud instance types. Continue Reading
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Answer
29 Nov 2017
What are the best SDK tools for automating blockchain services?
As blockchain matures, an ecosystem of tools continues to sprout up around it. Learn how these offerings, including the Hyperledger Fabric Client SDK, can help with a deployment. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Nov 2017
Rearchitect applications for cloud with these five tips
It's difficult to fully realize the benefits of cloud computing when you simply migrate an app as is. Instead, consider rearchitecting your app -- and start with these five steps. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Oct 2017
Learn the basics of Azure Container Instances
The popularity of containers continues to prompt major cloud providers to offer new services. See how Azure's most recent release -- Container Instances -- aims to ease deployment. Continue Reading
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Answer
26 Sep 2017
What are the best database services for PaaS offerings?
When you move to PaaS for your web-based apps, remember to think about database services. Consider the benefits of moving your database to a fully supported cloud infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Answer
30 Aug 2017
What are the pros, cons of PaaS offerings from AWS, Google, Microsoft?
Get started with exploring these PaaS offerings: AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Google App Engine and Microsoft Azure. An IT veteran summarizes their pros and cons. Continue Reading
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Tip
30 Aug 2017
Real-time vs. near-real-time analytics -- how to choose
Data is king, but what happens when the data isn't truly real-time? Expert Tom Nolle explains the cloud platform choices when it comes to 'real-time' analytics. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Jun 2017
Overcome common IP address issues during a cloud migration
During a move to the cloud, many organizations overlook potential snags surrounding IP addresses. To start, know how cloud providers manage address assignment. Continue Reading
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Tip
22 May 2017
No-code/low-code project management best practices
Before setting your no-code/low-code product into motion, you must prepare your organization. Expert Zach Flower discusses the importance of collaboration and communication. Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Apr 2017
Techniques for optimizing microservice performance in the cloud
Learn how to prevent bottlenecks, create efficient deployment and avoid security issues to ensure optimal microservice performance in the cloud. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Apr 2017
Avoid downtime during the cloud migration process
During a public cloud migration, IT teams need to take a cautious, one-step-at-a-time approach to avoid hearing the dreaded phrase, 'the system is down.' Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2017
Give Visual Basic language apps a cloud afterlife with code conversion
Visual Basic apps were never meant to run in the cloud, but with automated code conversion tools, their tried-and-true business logic can be refactored and reused. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Apr 2017
Build an effective API management system for multicloud
APIs play a critical role in cloud, allowing apps and services to communicate with each other. But with multiple cloud providers in the mix, API management gets complicated. Continue Reading
