Cloud provider platforms and tools
When a business is ready to proceed with a cloud migration, it's prudent to consider which cloud provider platforms and tools meet business objectives and align with a staff’s skills. Hyperscale providers AWS, Azure and Google lead the market, offering ever-expanding portfolios of tools and services, but other providers deliver competitive offerings as well.
Top Stories
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News
19 Nov 2024
Microsoft Launches Azure Local for Hybrid Cloud, edge uses
Along with Azure Local, Microsoft launched a migration tool for enterprises that want to ditch their VMware by Broadcom VMs. Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2024
AMD layoffs follow AI job trend
AMD joins other tech companies in using layoffs to make room for AI talent. Continue Reading
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News
15 Nov 2024
AMD layoffs follow AI job trend
AMD joins other tech companies in using layoffs to make room for AI talent. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Nov 2024
Managed identity vs. service principal for Azure apps
Managed identities automate identity management for Azure-native applications, while service principals are ideal for external applications that need access to Azure resources. Continue Reading
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Definition
13 Nov 2024
What is quantum computing? How it works and examples
Quantum computing is an area of computer science focused on the development of computers based on the principles of quantum theory. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
08 Nov 2024
Microsoft Ignite 2024 conference coverage
Bookmark this guide and check back regularly to see all the news and analysis related to the latest innovations launching at this year's Microsoft Ignite show. Continue Reading
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Video
06 Nov 2024
An explanation of software as a service (SaaS)
Software as a service can be a cost savings to organizations, as it eliminates licensing fees, expensive hardware and maintenance. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2024
The future of cloud computing: Top trends and predictions
Expect GenAI, IoT, cloud-native, edge computing, power-hungry data centers, data-hungry LLMs, FinOps and privacy laws to shape public cloud's future as a viable service model. Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2024
Microsoft, Google feud heats up with 'astroturfing' accusation
After Google filed a complaint with the EU about Microsoft's cloud practices, Microsoft accused Google of funding shadow campaigns to hurt its business. 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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Definition
28 Oct 2024
What is AIOps (artificial intelligence for IT operations)?
Artificial intelligence for IT operations (AIOps) is an umbrella term for the use of big data analytics, machine learning (ML) and other AI technologies to automate and enhance IT operations. Continue Reading
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Quiz
25 Oct 2024
Quiz yourself on cloud computing basics
To grasp a technology, it's best to start with the basics. Take this brief cloud computing quiz to gauge your knowledge of providers, deployment models and other 101-level topics. Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2024
AWS, Box expand partnership for Q generative AI, app dev
Box users get deeper AWS integrations that enable Q Business generative AI agents, as well as the capability to build apps in Bedrock, AWS' multi-LLM AI platform. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Oct 2024
AI in cloud computing: Benefits and concerns
Businesses see public cloud as the primary vehicle for delivering generative AI's benefits in productivity, operational efficiency and workflow automation, but challenges remain. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Oct 2024
What is cloud sprawl?
Cloud sprawl is the uncontrolled proliferation of an organization's cloud instances, services or providers. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Oct 2024
Use this EC2 instance type comparison to power your AWS apps
To get the most out of AWS, organizations need to get the most out of their EC2 instances. Use this comparison to help choose the right AWS instance type and pricing plan. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Oct 2024
A cloud services cheat sheet for AWS, Azure and Google Cloud
Can't make heads or tails of Amazon, Microsoft and Google cloud offerings? Use this list to help start your analysis of what's available from the largest cloud providers. Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Oct 2024
The cloud shared responsibility model for IaaS, PaaS and SaaS
The shared responsibility model defines cloud security, but it changes for IaaS, PaaS and SaaS. Explore the ins and outs of cloud security and what your company is responsible for. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
21 Oct 2024
How to create an EC2 instance using PowerShell
PowerShell has practical integrations that provide users with cross-platform capabilities. Get to know prerequisites and resources to create an EC2 instance using PowerShell. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2024
Cloud providers escape regulatory scrutiny -- for now
Though U.S. and EU regulators aren't zeroed in on cloud competition, Google has raised its own concerns about Microsoft's cloud licensing practices. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Oct 2024
5 open source cloud monitoring tools to consider
IT teams need visibility into their cloud environments. If your team wants more than its cloud providers offer, see if an open source monitoring tool is a better fit. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
16 Oct 2024
Use the AWS CLI to create an EC2 instance
IT admins can use the AWS CLI to launch and manage EC2 instances. Follow these steps to learn how. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Oct 2024
What is Salesforce Service Cloud?
Salesforce Service Cloud is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform for Salesforce clients to provide service and support to their business customers. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Oct 2024
What is IoT Cloud (Salesforce IoT Cloud)?
IoT Cloud is a Salesforce platform designed to store and process internet of things (IoT) data. Continue Reading
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Definition
11 Oct 2024
What is Salesforce Customer Success Platform?
The Salesforce Customer Success Platform (CSP) is the official name of the Salesforce portfolio of products. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Oct 2024
Cloud licensing explained: What businesses need to know
Businesses vacating the premises and setting up their data and applications in a distributed environment must consider cloud licensing's options, advantages and disadvantages. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Oct 2024
15 best practices for contact center agent training programs
Agents thrive when contact center training programs are built on KSAC profiles, performance analysis and recognition, personal coaching and shadowing, AI integration, and ROI. Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Oct 2024
How to plan a cloud strategy: Complete guide and template
A cloud strategy document is a mission statement, not a design document. It should capture the what and why of a company's cloud strategy, without delving into the minutiae of how. Continue Reading
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Tip
07 Oct 2024
14 top multi-cloud management platforms for 2025
Dig into the benefits -- and drawbacks -- of the top tools and services designed to help enterprises manage their hybrid and multi-cloud environments Continue Reading
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Tip
03 Oct 2024
Contact center monitoring: A step-by-step guide
A well-designed monitoring program identifies customer pain points and gathers valuable intelligence that can improve agent performance and CX, as well as products and services. Continue Reading
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Answer
02 Oct 2024
Amazon RDS vs. Aurora Serverless: What's the better option?
Amazon RDS and Aurora Serverless both provide relational database services. But Aurora offers more flexible resource management and performance, and it can result in lower costs. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Oct 2024
Research reveals strategies to improve cloud-native security
As organizations focus on the cloud to deliver and scale applications, security teams struggle to keep up. Recent research points to how teams can effectively manage cloud security risk. Continue Reading
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Definition
27 Sep 2024
What is a cloud access security broker (CASB)?
A cloud access security broker (CASB) is a software tool or service that sits between an organization's on-premises infrastructure and a cloud provider's infrastructure. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Sep 2024
What is cloud management? Definition, benefits and guide
Cloud management refers to the exercise of control over public, private or hybrid cloud infrastructure resources and services. Continue Reading
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Tip
23 Sep 2024
Amazon Bedrock vs. SageMaker JumpStart for AI apps
Amazon Bedrock and Amazon SageMaker JumpStart both provide AI models for applications. Bedrock offers readily available models, while JumpStart supports more customization. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Sep 2024
FinOps consulting grows as IT cost management efforts expand
IT service providers pursue advisory, training and automation opportunities as customers adopt FinOps and apply its cost optimization principles across more IT resources. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Sep 2024
9 cloud cost management tools you should know about
There's a whole category of tools dedicated to managing cloud costs. Here's how they optimize cloud resources and improve bottom lines, plus descriptions of nine of the best ones. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Sep 2024
What is Salesforce Sales Cloud?
Salesforce Sales Cloud is a customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed to support sales, marketing and customer support in both business-to-business and business-to-consumer contexts. Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2024
Intel gets boost from AWS, government contracts
Intel's turnaround efforts are progressing, but the chipmaker will need more than government funding and a deal that expands its AWS manufacturing partnership, an analyst said. Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2024
Oracle users share challenges, successes with cloud, AI
At Oracle CloudWorld, companies ranging from banks to candy makers shared the challenges and benefits of using Oracle cloud software and AI in enterprise environments. Continue Reading
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Opinion
13 Sep 2024
Oracle CloudWorld 2024 delivers AI, database and OCI updates
Oracle delivered more AI features at its conference, including over 50 AI agents and a new generative AI RAG Agent in OCI, as well as a long-awaited partnership with AWS. Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Sep 2024
What is Salesforce Developer Experience (Salesforce DX)?
Salesforce Developer Experience (Salesforce DX) is a set of software development tools that lets developers build, test and ship many kinds of applications on Salesforce Platform (formerly called Force.com). Continue Reading
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Definition
12 Sep 2024
What is Salesforce Platform (formerly Force.com)?
Salesforce Platform (formerly known as Force.com) is a platform as a service (PaaS) product that simplifies the development and deployment of cloud-based applications and websites. Continue Reading
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Definition
10 Sep 2024
What is Salesforce Commerce Cloud?
Salesforce Commerce Cloud is a cloud-based suite of products that enable e-commerce businesses to set up e-commerce sites, drive more automation and provide customers with seamless shopping experiences. Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2024
AWS joins Microsoft, Google Cloud in offering Oracle database
AWS joined Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud in offering the Oracle Database, an indication that enterprises want to use Oracle alongside the cloud providers' AI services. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Sep 2024
Compare Box vs. Dropbox enterprise storage platforms
Both Box and Dropbox offer features and integrations that any modern enterprise could use for its cloud storage. Choosing between Box vs. Dropbox depends on various factors. Continue Reading
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Tip
06 Sep 2024
7 essential steps to create a contact center RFP
Successful contact center RFPs are built on collaboration, vendor research, countless questions and answers, scorecards, shortlists, trial runs, bakeoffs and the final decision. Continue Reading
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Definition
05 Sep 2024
What is AWS? Ultimate guide to Amazon Web Services
AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a comprehensive, evolving cloud computing platform provided by Amazon. It includes a mixture of infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service and packaged software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings. Continue Reading
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Tip
04 Sep 2024
Understanding the role of AI in cloud computing
AI is bringing previously unimagined capabilities in automation, optimization and predictive analytics to cloud management while posing new challenges for IT departments. Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Sep 2024
Can VMware's private cloud spur the demise of siloed tech?
The private-cloud-centric future VMware presents could benefit enterprises if it continues to innovate and deliver an integrated, full-stack private cloud its customers want. Continue Reading
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Tip
29 Aug 2024
Why observability is important in multi-cloud environments
Increased use of multi-cloud environments is creating a need for specialized observability methods and tools for tracking and measuring cloud performance. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2024
Contact center outsourcing: What businesses need to know
Businesses use contact center outsourcing to alleviate agent understaffing, expand customer service and reduce costs, but loss of control and service inconsistency are concerns. Continue Reading
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Tip
27 Aug 2024
Why contact centers have high turnover and how to combat it
The alarming rise in contact center turnover rates negatively impacts agent morale, customer interactions and ROI. In many ways, AI is seen as both the cause and the solution. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Aug 2024
How to manage today's remote contact center agents
Technologies like agent analytics, video conferencing, collaboration tools, workforce management applications and cloud software can help manage remote contact centers. Continue Reading
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Tip
21 Aug 2024
The ultimate contact center security checklist
If customers know organizations can keep their data safe in the contact center, they have more positive experiences. This checklist of best practices can help establish that trust. Continue Reading
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Tip
20 Aug 2024
10 strategies to improve contact center agent performance
Call monitoring, skills-based routing, positive reinforcement, training resources and coaching can help contact center agents improve their performance and customer interactions. Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Aug 2024
HPE to acquire Morpheus Data, expanding cloud experience
HPE has announced its acquisition of Morpheus Data, a move intended to bolster the hybrid, multi-cloud experience of HPE GreenLake and to complement HPE’s OpsRamp acquisition. Continue Reading
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Definition
20 Aug 2024
What is AWS Glue?
AWS Glue is a cloud-based and serverless data integration service that helps users to prepare data for analysis through automated extract, transform and load (ETL) processes. Continue Reading
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Definition
19 Aug 2024
What is cloud automation?
Cloud automation is a broad term that refers to processes and tools that reduce or eliminate manual efforts used to provision and manage cloud computing workloads and services. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Aug 2024
History and evolution of contact centers
Alexander Graham Bell, Steve Jobs and the Baby Bells played notable roles in the contact center's transformation into the front line of communication for businesses and customers. Continue Reading
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Definition
16 Aug 2024
What is call management?
Call management is a process in which inbound telephone calls are routed to call center agents. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Aug 2024
What is Microsoft Azure File Service?
Microsoft Azure Files -- sometimes known as Microsoft Azure File Service -- is a simple, secure, serverless, fully managed and cloud-based file sharing service for enterprise users. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Aug 2024
A guide to Microsoft Azure storage pricing
Take a deep dive into the costs of Microsoft Azure cloud storage across several different types, including Blob Storage and Files. Compare pricing with AWS and Google Cloud. Continue Reading
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Answer
12 Aug 2024
10 must-have contact center skills for agents in 2024
Contact center agents must have a wide range of interpersonal and technological skills to interact with customers and resolve their issues in a timely and empathetic manner. Continue Reading
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Tip
09 Aug 2024
10 best practices for contact center quality assurance
To ensure quality and results in the contact center, businesses must define clear metrics, use real-time analytics, seek customer feedback, upskill agents and automate everywhere. Continue Reading
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Report
09 Aug 2024
15 essential contact center features
Today's multifunctional contact centers must cut through the product hype and incorporate software features that meet customer demands for fast, seamless and personalized service. Continue Reading
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Tip
01 Aug 2024
8 contact center metrics to improve agent performance and CX
These metrics measure and report on productivity and effectiveness at the contact center agent level to ensure performance aligns with the overall mission of the organization. Continue Reading
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Feature
31 Jul 2024
7 contact center trends for 2024 and beyond
As contact centers trend toward becoming viable profit centers, AI's influence is at the core of conversational analytics, omnichannel communications and a mobile-first strategy. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Jul 2024
How to improve the contact center experience for customers
Customers want their contact center interactions to be fast, seamless, tailored and personal in the form of mobile apps, self-service, improved IVR and knowledgeable human agents. Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jul 2024
Explore options for FinOps certifications and training
Receiving a FinOps certification helps individuals develop their cloud financial management skills. Discover training and certification options that can help your resume stand out. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2024
How to launch an EC2 instance using Terraform
With Terraform, developers can lean on familiar coding practices to provision the underlying resources for their applications. Follow these steps to use the IaC tool to create an Amazon EC2 instance. Continue Reading
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Tip
24 Jul 2024
12 top contact center platforms of 2024
Which came first: the evolution of the contact center or the evolution of its supporting software? It's the old chicken-and-egg debate. Either way, AI is the catalyst. Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Jul 2024
8 contact center challenges in 2024 and how to overcome them
Multifunctional contact centers must meet the expectations of savvy customers, hire and maintain qualified agents, monetize data, safeguard information and modernize operations. Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2024
Google launches Distributed Cloud edge hardware
The hardware for highly regulated industries runs the Google Cloud infrastructure stack, data security services and the Vertex AI platform for running pretrained AI models. Continue Reading
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Tip
17 Jul 2024
The pros and cons of sovereign clouds
The global distribution of cloud data centers raises serious concerns about regional data privacy laws. Can sovereign clouds help to ease those doubts? Continue Reading
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Tip
08 Jul 2024
Optimize Amazon Athena performance with these 5 tuning tips
Amazon Athena can provide an efficient, cost-effective method of data analysis. But did you properly optimize Athena performance to see these benefits? Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jul 2024
8 benefits of a modern contact center
Contact centers and their multifunctional capabilities can provide businesses with a competitive edge through improved agent performance, customer engagement and brand loyalty. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2024
A timeline and history of blockchain technology
Riding the back of volatile cryptocurrencies, blockchain's trek has been raucous since 2009, but the technology's roots are much deeper and applications much richer than Bitcoin. Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2024
Google targets GenAI accuracy, speed, size, efficiency
The tech giant advances again in the generative AI competition that has rocked the tech industry over the last two years, with key updates to its Gemini and Imagen models. Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2024
Broadcom faces challenges with latest VMware releases
CIOs are taking a hard look at the VMware portfolio as the number of alternatives rises in the hybrid cloud infrastructure market. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2024
HPE GreenLake adds GenAI capabilities as on-premises PaaS
HPE GreenLake debuts a new PaaS offering for enterprise GenAI development, co-created with Nvidia. HPE also updated OpsRamp and server hardware refreshes for AI workloads. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2024
HPE to offer KVM virtualization for GreenLake private cloud
HPE debuts its virtualization capability for HPE Private Cloud later this year as an integrated GreenLake alternative to third-party vendors such as VMware, Nutanix or Red Hat. Continue Reading
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Tip
11 Jun 2024
4 popular machine learning certificates to get in 2024
AWS, Google, IBM and Microsoft offer machine learning certifications that can further your career. Learn what to expect from each one, as well as skills and tips you should know. Continue Reading
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Answer
23 May 2024
Compare Amazon Redshift, Athena and EMR for data analysis
Trying to decide among Amazon EMR, Amazon Redshift and Amazon Athena? Check out this overview of capabilities and use cases to help narrow down your choice. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
20 May 2024
Red Hat Summit 2024 news and conference guide
Use this Red Hat Summit conference guide to stay up to date on current trends, emerging technologies and information from keynote speakers and industry experts. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 May 2024
12 core Azure networking services you need to know
Network connectivity can make or break a cloud deployment. Discover the basics of Azure network services with this list of key offerings and terms. Continue Reading
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News
14 May 2024
Matt Garman to replace Adam Selipsky as AWS CEO
Matt Garman will become the new CEO at AWS. He will replace Adam Selipsky, a tech veteran who came to the role when current Amazon CEO Andy Jassy took over for Jeff Bezos. Continue Reading
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Tip
10 May 2024
A guide to AWS storage cost
Amazon S3, FSx, Elastic File System and Elastic Block Store have different price structures, but data use remains the top factor in determining the cost of cloud storage. Continue Reading
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Tip
03 May 2024
Compare Azure Government vs. commercial cloud offering
Microsoft's Azure Government and global cloud offerings serve different customers and have different compliance requirements. See how they compare to make the right choice. Continue Reading
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Tip
26 Apr 2024
Troubleshooting 7 common errors in AWS CloudFormation
Errors can occur when an AWS developer builds a CloudFormation template, launches a stack or rolls back an update. Prevent and address common errors by following best practices. Continue Reading
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Feature
22 Apr 2024
Explore CASB use cases before you decide to buy
CASB tools help secure cloud applications so only authorized users have access. Discover more about this rapidly evolving technology and its use cases. Continue Reading
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Definition
15 Apr 2024
database as a service (DBaaS)
Database as a service (DBaaS) is a cloud computing managed service offering that provides access to a database without requiring the setup of physical hardware, the installation of software or the need to configure the database. Continue Reading
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Tip
15 Apr 2024
Learn the basics of industry cloud platforms
Healthcare, finance and other specialized industries can ask a lot of cloud services. Find out more about industry cloud platforms, and compare tools from the major cloud providers. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Apr 2024
Compare ESG tools from AWS, Azure and Google Cloud
ESG standards are beginning to influence how large enterprises procure and consume cloud services. Take a closer look at the offerings from the biggest providers. Continue Reading
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Definition
01 Apr 2024
warm site
A warm site is a type of facility an organization uses to recover its technology infrastructure when its primary data center goes down. A warm site features an equipped data center but no customer data. Continue Reading
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Definition
28 Mar 2024
cloud management platform (CMP)
A cloud management platform (CMP) is a suite of integrated software tools that an enterprise can use to monitor and control cloud environments. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
25 Mar 2024
How to Create an AWS Lambda Function with CloudFormation
Do you want to enhance automation, consistency, scalability and cost-effectiveness? Follow this step-by-step tutorial on how to create an AWS Lambda function using CloudFormation. Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Mar 2024
IBM focuses on platform-based plan for hybrid cloud and AI
For decades, pundits have suggested that IBM has lost relevance. IBM wasn't in trouble then, and it's not in trouble now. See how IBM's cloud focus provides great advantages. Continue Reading
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Feature
15 Mar 2024
12 cloud storage and file-sharing services to consider
Cloud-based file-sharing services, such as the list of products here, enable organizations to collaborate with colleagues and clients all over the world. Continue Reading
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Tip
13 Mar 2024
Top public cloud providers of 2024: A brief comparison
How do AWS, Microsoft and Google stack up against each other when it comes to regions, zones, interfaces, costs and SLAs? We break down the features of these cloud providers. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
13 Mar 2024
How to monitor and deallocate Azure VMs to save money
Enterprises can save costs by deallocating Azure VMs during inactive periods. Teams can use log files and automation to monitor VM jobs and push deallocation when a job is complete. Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Mar 2024
Understanding the basics of Windows 365 Government
Windows 365 Government isn't available to all Microsoft customers, but organizations such as governments and privileged contractors can benefit from this specialized offering. Continue Reading