Evaluate

Evaluate

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

• Dive into DigitalOcean Droplets and App Platform

  DigitalOcean vies with AWS, Azure and others by targeting developers and startups. See what it has to offer and how it competes with other VM instances and PaaS tools. Continue Reading

• Should you migrate your on-premises app or go cloud-native?

  Learn how cloud-native application development differs from traditional architecture, as well as the benefits and challenges in making the switch. Continue Reading

• Ace the Google cloud engineer certification with this prep

  This quick 12-question quiz will help you assess exactly where you stand in your preparation to take the career-making Google Cloud certification exam. Continue Reading

• Best practices for defining a cloud monitoring strategy

  Uptime. Downtime. Security protections. There are plenty of things to watch for, so an effective cloud monitoring strategy requires an organization to set some priorities. Continue Reading

• 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 offers, see if an open source monitoring tool is a better fit. Continue Reading

• 5 cloud design patterns to create resilient applications

  Review five popular design patterns for cloud application development and how they solve a range of common challenges that IT teams face.Continue Reading

• Benefits and drawbacks of AI in cloud computing

  AI and cloud computing work hand in hand to improve upon various processes, but the combination of these technologies comes with a price.Continue Reading

• Cloud vs. DevOps: What to know for your next career move

  Cloud and DevOps can go hand in hand, but they don't have to. Learn the differences so you can see which path is best for your future IT role.Continue Reading

• Compare EMR, Redshift and Athena for data analysis on AWS

  Trying to decide between Amazon EMR, Amazon Redshift and Amazon Athena? Check out this overview of capabilities and use cases to help narrow down your choice.Continue Reading

• Try before you buy with free tiers in cloud

  Cloud services aren't cheap, and you don't want to get stuck using one that isn't the right fit. This is where the 'try before you buy' options come in.Continue Reading

• Compare VMware cloud offerings for AWS, Azure and Google

  With VMware cloud offerings, enterprises can integrate on-premises and public cloud infrastructures into a common IT environment. Explore the offerings from AWS, Azure and Google.Continue Reading

• Understand cloud abstraction for your IT needs

  Cloud users must select a cloud abstraction layer that meets their business requirements. Consider factors such as level of control and security when choosing SaaS, PaaS or IaaS.Continue Reading

• Top types of cloud testing organizations need to perform

  Move to cloud-based testing to reduce overhead and avoid production missteps. Learn about testing types and some notable vendors to get your IT team started.Continue Reading

• Google Anthos features and updates

  Review the latest improvements to Google's hybrid cloud platform, such as bolstered multi-cloud and on-premises support. Here are the Anthos updates you won't want to miss.Continue Reading

• Elastic vs. AWS highlights open source monetization dilemma

  The fight between AWS and Elastic over the commercial usage of Elasticsearch highlights how open source software vendors need to change in the era of cloud computing.Continue Reading

• How to calculate cloud migration costs before you move

  Here's a primer on how to calculate the total cost of a cloud migration and compare your on-premises expenses to what you'll spend on the move.Continue Reading

• Evaluate Azure CLI vs. PowerShell for resource management

  Compare two popular resource management tools for Azure -- Azure CLI and PowerShell -- to determine if one, or a combination of both, is right for your cloud environment.Continue Reading

• Choose the right serverless container service

  Many IT pros consider serverless containers to be largely hype, while others say it offers real advances in serverless computing. See how the major cloud providers take their swing at this class of service.Continue Reading

• Open source cloud platforms and tools to consider

  Although the most popular cloud platforms are proprietary, open source options can enhance the agility and cost-effectiveness of your overall cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• Choose the right Google Cloud serverless service

  When it comes to selecting a serverless tool, Google Cloud users have plenty of options. Evaluate the platform's suite of serverless offerings to make the right choice.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure Firewall vs. NSGs for network security

  Traffic to and from resources needs proper security to protect data, but the wrong tool could leave you vulnerable. Explore these two services to find the right level of protection.Continue Reading

• Compare Amazon VPC vs. Azure VNet for private networking

  Evaluate the core private networking services from AWS and Azure to see which one could best serve your organization's needs.Continue Reading

• Compare Azure DevOps vs. GitHub for CI/CD pipelines

  GitHub is a more recognized name in the development community than Azure DevOps, but now that Microsoft owns both tools, developers need to see how they differ and work together.Continue Reading

• How providers' industry-specific cloud offerings impact IT

  Vertical industry offerings are a trend among the leading cloud providers. IT teams will have to learn to adapt to the complications and changes these efforts will spark.Continue Reading

• The Elasticsearch sideshow and why Algolia is the better bet

  Elastic and AWS continue to make headlines over their licensing dispute, but the bickering avoids an important question: Is Elasticsearch still the right tool for the job?Continue Reading

• CS degrees vs. cloud certifications: Compare the pros and cons

  Standards for IT qualifications are changing with the rapid pace of cloud adoption. See how experts evaluate the debate between individual cloud certifications or a full degree.Continue Reading

• How to choose between IaaS and SaaS cloud models

  Even if you already moved a few workloads to the cloud, it's never too early to start looking at where you are going and never too late to make a change. See if IaaS or SaaS is the right service model for your organization.Continue Reading

• COVID-19 and remote work shift cloud predictions for 2021

  If we learned anything from 2020, it's to expect the unexpected. Yet that doesn't stop analysts from trying to predict what's to come in the world of cloud computing this year.Continue Reading

• Review these 7 CASB vendors to best secure cloud access

  CASB technology offers threat protection, increased visibility and policy enforcement. Explore how these seven vendors stack up and protect access to cloud applications.Continue Reading

• Cloud providers jockey for 2021 market share

  AWS and Microsoft still dominate the cloud market, but Google, IBM and Oracle aren't without merit. Learn where each provider excels to find your perfect match.Continue Reading

• 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

• Evaluate these 15 multi-cloud management platforms

  Dig into the benefits -- and drawbacks -- of the top tools and services to help enterprises manage their hybrid and multi-cloud environments.Continue Reading

• Top enterprise hybrid cloud management tools to review

  Here's an overview of the types of hybrid cloud management tools available, along with tips on what to look for in each tool category.Continue Reading

• Amazon Kendra vs. Elasticsearch Service: What's the difference?

  Amazon Elasticsearch Service and Amazon Kendra both handle search, but that's about where the similarities end. Learn how and when to use each AWS offering for your application.Continue Reading

• Colocation vs. cloud: What are the key differences?

  An organization can host a private cloud in a colocation facility, but using the colocation facility isn't the same as building a private cloud; the two are exceedingly different.Continue Reading

• Analyze Google's cloud computing strategy

  After a few false starts, Google has taken a different, more open approach to cloud computing than AWS and Azure. Let's take a look at this strategy and roadmap to date.Continue Reading

• What is the difference between Amazon MSK and Kinesis?

  When it comes to data stream processing and analysis, AWS offers Amazon Kinesis or a managed version of Apache Kafka. Compare these two options to pick the best fit for your app.Continue Reading

• Cognito user pools vs. identity pools -- what AWS users should know

  Familiarize yourself with user pools and identity pools in Amazon Cognito and learn how to better protect your workloads in a cloud environment.Continue Reading

• Amazon ECS vs. Kubernetes: Which should you use on AWS?

  How can you approach container orchestration on AWS? Learn the basics about ECS, EKS, DIY Kubernetes and Fargate before you choose an application architecture for your workloads.Continue Reading

• A look back at re:Invent 2019 and the year since

  Catch up on some of the biggest services and feature updates AWS added to its cloud platform since re:Invent 2019 as you prepare to attend this year's virtual conference.Continue Reading

• 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

• When should I use Amazon RDS vs. Aurora Serverless?

  Before choosing between Aurora Serverless and Amazon RDS, consider each service's benefits and limitations to ensure you find the right use case and stick to your cloud budget.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

• How to evaluate cloud certification training

  Cloud computing has changed the role of certifications. See why you're better served by breadth rather than depth of knowledge, and keep learning to keep pace with the industry.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

• The pros and cons of adding edge computing to a cloud architecture

  Edge computing won't make sense for every IoT device or workload. Follow these edge computing examples to know where and when you should use it as part of your cloud architecture.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

• Compare the 3 types of private cloud

  Private cloud isn't on-prem computing, but it can be. And on-prem IT isn't private cloud, but it can be. IT teams have many choices for private cloud, even within the public cloud.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

• Review the pros and cons of 8 common hybrid cloud use cases

  Evaluate the following hybrid cloud use cases, as well as the common advantages and disadvantages that come with pairing on-premises architectures and different cloud models.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