Google and other public cloud providers
Google, Oracle, IBM and other public cloud providers offer various compute, storage and networking services -- as well as more advanced technologies for machine learning and more -- yet one might better meet an enterprise's needs than another. Read tips and news coverage to choose the right provider, and keep up with its expanding cloud portfolio.
Top Stories
-
Tip
03 Dec 2021
Break down the Google Cloud resource hierarchy
Admins can use Organizations, Folders, Projects and Resources to manage employee access within Google Cloud. But first, they must understand the distinctions between each level. Continue Reading
-
Tip
17 Nov 2021
How to use Google's workload identity federation with AWS
Cloud admins struggle to share data between cloud providers. Here are the steps to create a federated identity in Google Cloud, connecting it to AWS in a secure way. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Nov 2019
Microsoft hybrid cloud strategy expands with Azure Arc
Azure Arc will bring Microsoft's public cloud management tools together for use by customers on any type of infrastructure. The move underscores the drive toward hybrid cloud deployments as customer needs evolve. Continue Reading
-
Definition
30 Oct 2019
Google Cloud Anthos
Google Cloud Anthos is a hybrid, cloud-agnostic container environment. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Oct 2019
Licensing changes reveal Microsoft's cloud strategy
IT analysts share insights on the Microsoft licensing updates, and what it says about the on-premises giant's push for Azure adoption and the impact on current and future workloads. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Oct 2019
Microsoft wins $10 billion JEDI contract over AWS
In a surprise move, the DOD has awarded Microsoft, not AWS, its controversial JEDI cloud computing contract. The deal has a price tag of up to $10 billion over 10 years. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
25 Oct 2019
Test your cloud automation and orchestration expertise
Are you familiar with the tools and services available for cloud orchestration and automation? Take this quiz and see how you stack up. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Oct 2019
Equifax shares 'risk averse' cloud security model post-breach
Equifax explains how it has transformed its data security strategy using multiple clouds and a more focused approach through Google Cloud Platform's hierarchal security. Continue Reading
-
Feature
22 Oct 2019
Get to know the top managed Kubernetes services in the cloud
All managed Kubernetes providers address the pain points of deploying and maintaining the container orchestration platform, but they do so in different ways, as outlined in this brief cheat sheet. Continue Reading
-
Tip
21 Oct 2019
Cloud adoption a catalyst for IT modernization in many orgs
Sloppy and insecure IT procedures that had been overlooked before the cloud arrived must evolve with the times to prevent data exposure and system breaches. Continue Reading
-
Feature
14 Oct 2019
5 best practices for choosing cloud developer tools
Enterprises are pushing cloud app development as a way to stay up to date on the latest IT trends. Find out how to pick the right cloud and tools for your apps and your staff. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Oct 2019
AWS vs. Azure: Compare VMware-based hybrid clouds
Enterprises can extend their on-premises VMware environments to AWS or Azure, but they'll need to decide which one best meets their needs. See how the two managed services stack up. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Oct 2019
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure to add 2,000 jobs in bid for growth
Oracle plans to hire 2,000 workers to boost Oracle Cloud Infrastructure IaaS. It’s part of an aggressive global expansion as Oracle seeks to differentiate from AWS and others. Continue Reading
-
Conference Coverage
01 Oct 2019
Oracle OpenWorld 2019 coverage: Oracle seeks loftier cloud perch
This guide covers technology developments and other news from the Oracle OpenWorld 2019 conference, plus key trends for Oracle cloud, database and application users. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Sep 2019
How to plan for an Azure cloud migration
A Windows Server migration into the Microsoft cloud comes with several administrative benefits, but it also means there are new management aspects to worry about. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Sep 2019
An Azure subscription management how-to
Subscriptions are not as black and white as they seem. Review the concepts, roles and challenges involved when planning and managing subscriptions for Azure. Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Sep 2019
The future of PowerShell begins to sharpen in focus
PowerShell's promise as a cross-platform management tool has come a long way, but much work still needs to be done for both Linux and Windows admins to pick up adoption. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Sep 2019
Get started with Google Cloud Run
Google has upped its resource management game with Cloud Run. Learn the basics of the managed compute platform and follow the simple tutorial on deploying a web app with the service. Continue Reading
-
Tip
23 Sep 2019
Evaluate Azure Cost Management updates post-Cloudyn acquisition
Microsoft users have seen a number of improvements to the Azure Cost Management tool -- but there are still concerns about its support for other cloud platforms. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Sep 2019
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure SVP shares competitive strategy
Former AWS engineer Clay Magouyrk was one of the first people Oracle hired to build OCI and says Oracle has plenty of time -- and a solid strategy -- to catch up to competitors. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Sep 2019
Early Oracle Cloud Infrastructure customers take its measure
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is seeing early adoption from a diverse array of customers, although OCI's market share remains modest compared to AWS, Microsoft and Google. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Sep 2019
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure updates hone in on security
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure is getting a multifaceted security boost as the company seeks to gain ground against AWS, Microsoft and Google for enterprise IaaS workloads. Continue Reading
-
News
16 Sep 2019
Oracle and VMware forge new IaaS cloud partnership
Joint Oracle and VMware customers will soon be able to run VMware Cloud Foundation on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, with support from Oracle. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Sep 2019
How big tech breakup would affect the tech industry
Breaking up the tech giants would be difficult and might create initial chaos in market, help smaller competitors and potentially raise prices for enterprises. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Sep 2019
The roots of Oracle's cloud evolution: A 20-year review
Oracle, like other prominent on-premises software vendors, has traced a long path into the cloud. These 10 events over the past 20 years helped lay the foundation. Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Sep 2019
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
-
Feature
10 Sep 2019
Oracle cloud ambitions follow decades of transition
The Oracle cloud strategy continues to evolve, with fresh emphasis placed on how its flagship database can help customers in the cloud. But the story truly begins decades ago. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Sep 2019
Microsoft bolsters cloud migration tools with Movere acquisition
Microsoft's move to acquire Movere is a bet that the startup's IT infrastructure monitoring and analysis tools can help it attract more on-premises workloads to Azure. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Sep 2019
Oracle and Microsoft expand OCI, Azure cloud connections
The multi-cloud capabilities offered by Oracle and Microsoft are now available in the U.K. via a link between the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Azure platforms. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Aug 2019
Microsoft Azure edge site expansion targets cloud latency
Microsoft will expand its edge site footprint for Azure networking, a move that should help lower latency for cloud applications. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Aug 2019
Top 8 cloud administrator interview questions and answers
Hoping to become a cloud administrator? There's a lot to cover -- from tools to certifications. Prepare for your interview with these eight questions. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Aug 2019
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
-
News
21 Aug 2019
VMware acquisition of Intrinsic denotes bigger strategic plan
VMware has acquired Intrinsic, a maker of virtualization technology that secures Node.js applications on serverless environments such as AWS Lambda. Continue Reading
-
News
21 Aug 2019
Oracle's IaaS, cloud database in the spotlight at OpenWorld
This year's Oracle OpenWorld should provide answers for customers eager to understand its plans for IaaS, cloud databases, AI and machine learning. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Aug 2019
Microsoft gains instant Java credibility with jClarity buy
Microsoft has acquired jClarity to help optimize its Azure cloud platform to run Java workloads, a coveted target for the now open source-friendly software giant. Continue Reading
-
News
20 Aug 2019
Google Cloud partner deal with DXC targets SAP migration
A new alliance uniting IT services firm DXC Technology with Google will focus on artificial intelligence and SAP migration as opportunities for collaboration. Continue Reading
-
Tip
14 Aug 2019
How to live with loss of control with cloud software updates
IT pros don't have the same control over updates and versions in the cloud as they do on premises. Stay ahead of the changes and communicate to staff to lessen any negative impacts. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Aug 2019
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
-
News
07 Aug 2019
Microsoft licensing terms change will impact some cloud customers
Microsoft customers who want to deploy its software on dedicated cloud hosts, including Microsoft Azure, face new licensing terms as of Oct. 1. Continue Reading
-
Answer
07 Aug 2019
What are Google G Suite backup best practices?
Is your Google data protected? Make sure you are backing up G Suite files, because Google doesn't provide the comprehensive protection you'll need to be safe. Continue Reading
-
Tip
06 Aug 2019
BigQuery updates highlight AI push, but work remains
Google took a different approach than AWS and Microsoft when it built a service for ad hoc SQL queries. See how that played a role in the latest round of updates to BigQuery. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Aug 2019
Google database portfolio to include 3 new additions
Google Cloud Platform is now offering Cloud SQL for Microsoft SQL Server in alpha, federated queries from BigQuery to Cloud SQL and expansion of Elastic Cloud to Japan and Sydney. Continue Reading
-
News
31 Jul 2019
Google VM, microservices tools advance cloud migration strategy
Google wants more enterprise workloads on its cloud, and has launched an Azure VM migration service and other features in pursuit of them. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jul 2019
VMware on Google Cloud deal gives users another choice
VMware's deal with Google is the latest among top-tier players supporting each other's cloud. The question now is: How will Microsoft and IBM-Red Hat respond? Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Jul 2019
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
-
News
23 Jul 2019
Hybrid cloud deals dominate 2019's cloud computing market news
It has been a busy first half of 2019 for the cloud computing market. Here is a rundown of the biggest cloud news stories so far this year with implications for the industry and customers. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Jul 2019
Manage cloud APIs wisely with these 4 tips
Users can get caught in the weeds of APIs in the cloud. Learn the best tools, top factors and cost optimization techniques for cloud APIs to maximize application performance. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Jul 2019
Linode GPU instances offer accelerated computing power
Linode's GPU instances are built on Nvidia's Quadro RTX 6000 GPU cards, designed to power high-performance applications and use cases for artists, scientists, engineers and more. Continue Reading
-
Tip
09 Jul 2019
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
-
Tip
28 Jun 2019
Navigate public cloud availability zones for optimal performance
Google's recent outages show that AZs aren't a panacea for high availability. See how differences in cloud vendors' approaches to isolation can affect workload performance. Continue Reading
-
Answer
28 Jun 2019
What's new in hybrid Azure services in Windows Admin Center?
Trying to get the most out of Azure hybrid services? Discover Microsoft's latest developments to further centralize management in Windows Admin Center. Continue Reading
-
Tip
27 Jun 2019
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
-
Tip
27 Jun 2019
Does an Azure cloud migration make sense for your workloads?
While you can't move all of your Windows Server workloads into the Azure cloud and turn off your local server closet, you can get much closer than ever. Continue Reading
-
Tip
25 Jun 2019
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
-
News
20 Jun 2019
Oracle IaaS strategy pivots to specialization
Oracle probably won't get out of the public IaaS market entirely, but it seems clear that specialization is its goal, not head-to-head challenges to AWS, Microsoft and Google. Continue Reading
-
Tip
19 Jun 2019
Azure backup options: Microsoft vs. third-party products
Backup for Microsoft Azure data is well within your reach. But which product -- or products -- should you use? The choice comes down to some important considerations. Continue Reading
-
Tip
07 Jun 2019
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
-
News
05 Jun 2019
Oracle, Microsoft forge cloud pact
Once bitter arch rivals, Oracle and Microsoft have formed an alliance around cloud interoperability, which is good for customers and both vendors. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
04 Jun 2019
Test your cloud computing news knowledge
The beginning of the year was filled with new and improved cloud product offerings as providers vie for the top spot. Have you stayed up to date? Continue Reading
-
News
22 May 2019
Google, Informatica deepen ties around big data in the cloud
Google and Informatica have expanded their partnership and product integrations as enterprise customers seek to move large data sets into the cloud for processing and analytics. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
15 May 2019
Test your knowledge of Google Cloud management tools
Are you a Google Cloud expert? Can you ace this quiz focused on Google's management and monitoring tools? Find out how you stack up against your colleagues. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 May 2019
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
-
News
10 May 2019
Microsoft to reduce Azure outages with Project Tardigrade
Microsoft's plans to make Azure more reliable include Project Tardigrade, which keeps running VMs alive even when their host platforms go down due to hardware problems. Continue Reading
-
News
08 May 2019
Microsoft gives developers a sneak peek into Azure updates
Here's a look at three of the Azure-related projects developers got a glimpse of at Build, including a new open source project. Continue Reading
-
News
07 May 2019
Microsoft expands Azure cloud database options
A raft of expansions across Microsoft's Azure cloud database tier adds capabilities that target high-end workloads and shops that prefer open source options. Continue Reading
-
Feature
06 May 2019
Get to know Microsoft's Azure IoT services
With so many connected devices distributed across the globe, enterprises need a way to manage and monitor their IoT assets. See what Azure services are available to help. Continue Reading
-
Tip
30 Apr 2019
5 types of cloud skills that IT professionals should know
Cloud computing has spawned a spectrum of new IT roles, and professionals must sharpen their technology expertise to remain competitive in the job market. Review these top skills that IT pros should focus on. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
26 Apr 2019
What AWS and Azure’s cloud market growth says about IT
Amazon and Microsoft's cloud market revenues continue to grow at a torrid pace, reflecting IT departments' increased comfort and reliance on cloud computing services. Azure revenue, which is ... Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Apr 2019
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
-
News
25 Apr 2019
Microsoft acquisition of Express Logic adds IoT improvements
Microsoft's acquisition of Express Logic is another example of its $5 billion investment in IoT. One expert sees the move as a step toward an end-to-end IoT OS. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Apr 2019
Cloud-first strategy brings pharma firm to cloud-first backup
With no physical data center at launch, pharma spinout firm Bioverativ went to the cloud first and learned valuable lessons about storage protection and management. Continue Reading
-
News
19 Apr 2019
Steep Google Anthos pricing geared toward large enterprises
Google Anthos is the company's multi-cloud management play, but customers and prospects should mull the full picture when it comes to cost. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
17 Apr 2019
Microsoft Build 2019 agenda reveals .NET, Azure insights
Microsoft's Build conference for developers and IT operations professionals is just a few weeks away, but a close look at the session catalog reveals clues to the event's likely highlights. Here's ... Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Apr 2019
7 cloud computing job roles to advance your career
The cloud rapidly evolves, so cloud jobs must adapt accordingly. Job openings are going fast, so review these positions and their qualifications to plan your next move. Continue Reading
-
Tip
16 Apr 2019
Latest hybrid cloud services put public cloud into the data center
AWS, Google and Microsoft provide businesses with more deployment choices with cloud-extension services. See how these offerings can enable hybrid capabilities. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Apr 2019
Google expands Windows support with managed SQL Server
Google's decision to add SQL Server to its Cloud SQL family of managed database services is an appeal to Google Cloud Platform customers with ample Windows workloads. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
10 Apr 2019
Google Cloud CEO Kurian conducts enterprise-savvy concert at Google Next
Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian's keynote at the Google Next show delivered a measured balance aimed to resonate with large enterprises as they weigh various cloud strategy options. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Apr 2019
Cloud AutoML, BigQuery ML upgrades expand Google stake in ML
Google introduced a raft of updates to its cloud-based machine learning and AI products, including expanded capabilities for its AutoML and BigQuery ML tools. Continue Reading
-
Answer
10 Apr 2019
How do I integrate cloud AI APIs into existing apps?
Learn how to build AI into your apps with the help of cloud services and prepare for some of the challenges you can expect to face along the way. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
10 Apr 2019
Google Cloud Next 2019: End user computing news
BeyondCorp gets revamped and more Google Cloud security product announcements. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
08 Apr 2019
Must-attend cloud conferences in the second half of 2019
Ready to expand your knowledge and skill sets? Check out these popular cloud conferences from April to December 2019. Continue Reading
-
Feature
08 Apr 2019
Words to go: Cloud networking basics
Networking requirements for the cloud are different than on premises. Dig into these terms to get a sense for the network services and capabilities needed to run a cloud app. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Apr 2019
Optimized Google Cloud VMs target cutting-edge workloads
Google Cloud's latest set of instances, optimized for compute- and memory-intensive workloads, underscore customer demand for more powerful cloud infrastructure choices. Continue Reading
-
Tip
03 Apr 2019
Key considerations for refactoring applications for the cloud
Lift and shift has been a popular migration technique, but sometimes, IT teams have to refactor applications after the fact. Review these options to optimize legacy apps on the cloud. Continue Reading
-
News
01 Apr 2019
CEO switch continues BMC's multi-cloud management push
BMC has reappointed company veteran Bob Beauchamp as CEO as it forges ahead with a strategic shift into multi-cloud management tools and away from its ITSM roots. Continue Reading
-
Tip
29 Mar 2019
Get started with Google Cloud Deployment Manager
Deployment Manager is Google's infrastructure-as-code tool. Learn about its features and how to automate use of resources such as Compute Engine, GKE and BigQuery. Continue Reading
-
News
27 Mar 2019
Azure Anomaly Detector service spots business data deviations
Microsoft's Anomaly Detector service for Azure applies AI to customers' time-series data sets to find deviations or patterns that suggest problems. But humans still have the final say. Continue Reading
-
Tip
26 Mar 2019
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
-
Feature
25 Mar 2019
Manage public cloud storage for optimal performance, costs
Storage is one of the most commonly used resources on public clouds, which means admins should be well-versed in performance and cost optimization strategies. Use these expert tips to get started. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Mar 2019
Google Cloud outages resolved, but stakes still high for users
Several Google Cloud services suffered some recent hiccups, but analysts gave the service provider high marks for quick resolution and transparency. Continue Reading
-
Tip
04 Mar 2019
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
-
News
01 Mar 2019
Azure Sentinel adds AI-driven SIEM for cloud security
Azure Sentinel, Microsoft's take on a security information and event management platform, relies on AI for threat detection and competes with the likes of Splunk. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Feb 2019
TaylorMade Golf takes a shot with Oracle cloud database
TaylorMade Golf's move to Oracle's cloud data warehouse has produced major performance improvements, but other important Oracle workloads will remain on premises for now. Continue Reading
-
Tip
28 Feb 2019
Explore FAQs on Azure subscription management
For some IT teams, particularly those new to Microsoft's public cloud, Azure subscriptions spark a number of pressing questions related to billing, resource management and more. Continue Reading
-
Opinion
20 Feb 2019
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
-
News
20 Feb 2019
Google buys Alooma to bolster its cloud data migration chops
Google Cloud will acquire Israeli startup Alooma in a bid to add to its data migration portfolio. The move follows last year's acquisition of cloud migration vendor Velostrata. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
14 Feb 2019
Google cloud head Kurian tips off future Google cloud plans
Thomas Kurian has kept a low profile since he replaced Diane Greene as CEO of Google's cloud division -- until now. The longtime former Oracle executive spoke publicly for the first time as ... Continue Reading
-
News
08 Feb 2019
Google eyes confidential computing to buff cloud security cred
Google Cloud Platform's Asylo open source project could one day boost confidential computing efforts, but for now it mainly serves to boost Google's security bona fides. Continue Reading
-
Tip
01 Feb 2019
How to replicate Azure resources for speed, agility
There isn't a one-click tool to quickly clone full-stack application environments in Microsoft Azure, but these techniques can make the process easier. Continue Reading
-
News
30 Jan 2019
Cisco expands CloudCenter for multi-cloud management
Cisco hopes additions and changes to its CloudCenter software will appeal to companies that want to work with multiple clouds. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Jan 2019
Google Cloud certifications fuel race for cloud talent
Google has expanded its cloud certification program to include tests for developers, security, networking and G Suite. Continue Reading
-
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