Evaluate

Evaluate

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

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

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

• Top 6 Google cloud certification programs

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

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

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

• A comparison of 6 speech-to-text services

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

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

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

• Public cloud services grow HPC market, but work remains

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

• Do multi-tenant environments still create noisy neighbors?

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

• Compare Google Cloud Firestore and Firebase Realtime Database

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

• Move data with these Google cloud migration tools

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

• Explore Azure interface options for cloud developers

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

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

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

• Is a Cloud Foundry deployment right for you?

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

• IT teams face an uphill battle with serverless migrations

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

• How should app developers choose a cloud provider?

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

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure seeks a spot in the IaaS market

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

• Microsoft Azure AD complements Active Directory

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

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

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

• Evaluate the Azure serverless tools to ease deployment anxiety

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

• Deploy Azure low-priority VMs -- strategically

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

• TOSCA and other cloud standardization efforts stall

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

• Break down 11 Google big data services

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

• Azure API Management consumption tier targets serverless

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

• Cloud cost calculators come with some limitations

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

• Put your serverless computing knowledge to the test

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

• What are common uses for cloud AI APIs?

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

• Updated Microsoft Azure certifications emphasize IT roles

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

• Understand AI and machine learning security impacts on cloud apps

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

• Google tool signals move to greater cloud transparency

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

• Examine the top low-code development platform options

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

• Pick a cloud IDE that best fits developer projects

  Cloud IDEs give developers more flexibility with when, where and how they create, deploy and manage code. Although enticing, end users should understand all aspects -- the good and the bad -- of cloud IDEs.Continue Reading

• The problems with cloud-based email security

  Cloud-based email security can be challenging for enterprises to achieve. Learn what makes it a challenge and how to secure email in the cloud from expert Dave Shackleford.Continue Reading

• Overcome IoT challenges for cloud-based workloads

  Organizations often build IoT apps on public clouds for their scalability, but these platforms introduce their own obstacles. Factor in these network, storage and security impacts.Continue Reading

• Compare reserved instances pricing for AWS, Azure and GCP

  Got commitment issues? When it comes to long-term instance reservations, cloud users should look closely at what AWS, Microsoft and Google offer.Continue Reading

• Automation drives next wave of multi-cloud management tools

  The current cloud landscape indicates a clear need for management tools that can span multiple platforms -- and they'll likely place an emphasis on automation, abstraction and orchestration.Continue Reading

• Compare tools for multi-cloud Kubernetes management

  For IT teams that need to manage Kubernetes deployments that span multiple cloud platforms, here are seven tools intended to simplify that process.Continue Reading

• New types of cloud services bring the cloud to you

  Would your hybrid experience be improved by placing technology from a cloud service provider directly into your data center? Here's how to evaluate that option.Continue Reading

• New cloud service models put providers in the data center

  All of the major cloud players now offer on-premises hardware or specific technologies to make a data center look and feel more like the public cloud. What's driving this trend?Continue Reading

• Follow these 6 serverless security best practices

  Optimal security for serverless architectures requires developers and ops teams to embrace best practices around dependencies, testing, access and more.Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Three events that spooked cloud admins in 2018

  So far this year, outages, security breaches and GDPR compliance have haunted cloud admins in the enterprise. Take a closer peek at each of these three big scares.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

• Google needs to win enterprise confidence at cloud conference

  Google Cloud Platform (GCP) has become a more robust and reliable public cloud in recent years but still has nowhere near the enterprise mindshare afforded to fellow hyperscale platforms AWS and ...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