Choosing the right cloud platform and provider

Who is the best cloud service provider?

Wondering what the best cloud computing platforms are? Cloud services assist collaborative working, data storage capacity, and enhance security features. However, cloud computing encompasses a variety of elements, which is why organisations are often unsure of who is the right cloud provider for their requirements. Knowing what to consider when choosing a cloud provider is integral,

There is no correct answer as to who the best provider is. The cloud platform and cloud solutions each provider offers will be useful for different reasons. This is why finding the best-suited opinion for your systems and business type is the most important thing. 

Here are three essential steps to consider when choosing a cloud service provider:

• Matches business needs – Don’t instantly choose the biggest provider in the industry. Organisations should research their options and find a solution that supports their requirements.
• Reliability – Organisations need a cloud service provider that has reliable security and storage capabilities to avoid the risk of data loss and cyberattacks. The right cloud services are ones you can trust under any circumstances. However, basic security packages do not offer enough protection, cloud security needs to be tailored to a business.
• Flexibility – As companies are successful and grow, cloud providers should scale its services alongside them. They should support growth, not inhibit it.

We’ve put together a guide on the biggest cloud providers to help you discover the best cloud services for businesses.

Which cloud solution provider suits you?

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure launched in 2010 and has gained a significant customer base across the world over the last ten years. This is in part due to how Microsoft Azure has incorporated its other products, like Windows, Office, and Outlook, into its cloud services.

Azure has been criticised in the past for lacking refinement. However, it has adapted and grown quickly and begun to take over the market. For example, Azure allows businesses to control their cloud infrastructure so updates can be run across all devices by simply clicking a button. This improves the service’s ease of use in comparison to other cloud providers.

In the last few years, only AWS has lost part of its market share, which highlights the growth of both Azure and GCP (Google Cloud Platform).

Microsoft Azure Tools

• Data & Predictive Analytics
• Game & App Development
• Scalable Data Warehousing
• Blockchain Technology
• DevOps
• LOT Integration

Microsoft Azure’s unique selling point is it can be effortlessly integrated with the Windows ecosystem. If a business already uses SharePoint and Office, Azure offers support as a cloud service provider. It’s considered a safe alternative to AWS because of its global reach, variety of tools, and hybrid cloud abilities.

Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Google Cloud Platform is the same infrastructure that the search engine giant uses to run its software. Google search, Gmail, and YouTube are all supported by the Google Cloud Platform. The selling point is: if it’s good enough for us, it’s good enough for you. Here are a few of the services Google offers as a cloud service provider:

GCP Tools

• Data Storage & Management
• App Development
• SMB Business Analytics & AI
• Productivity & Workload Management Tools

Launched in 2008, GCP has a range of benefits over its market competitors. Two of the most appealing factors of this cloud provider are its affordability and user-friendly controls. The tools Google Cloud Platform provides, such as machine learning and AI, are accessible and easy to use for newcomers to the field.

Compared to its competitors, GCP is fairly new to the world of cloud computing. However, as one of the largest companies in the world, it has expanded rapidly. As of March 2020, GCP has 22 regions with 67 zones spread across 16 countries.

Zones are a collection of data centres with high-bandwidth, low-latency network connections to the other zones in their region. This ensures that applications stored on the Google Cloud Platform are fault-tolerant and give off zero carbon emissions.

GCP is also investing in innovative undersea server deployment. Starting in Guam, Google is installing a cabling system that connects with servers across the world. Australia, Asia, the South Pacific, Japan, and the mainland USA are all linked by these undersea servers. Data centres across the world are also being added exponentially to ensure GCP delivers the best cloud service possible.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

The largest online commerce business in history, Amazon also boasts an innovative cloud computing platform. Founded in 2006, AWS has an expansive framework across the world and the vast distribution of its cloud services is what this cloud provider builds its platform on. Amazon ensures every data centre within a region is a sufficient distance apart to prevent any natural disasters from disrupting its service.

Another important feature in AWS’s infrastructure is the edge zones that cache web content closer to the user's location. This delivers a faster service and response time worldwide without its performance being affected.

Historically, Amazon Web Services has been considered the strongest IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) provider. Availability, performance reliability, and the number of applications are all strengths of AWS.

AWS Tools

• Developer, Engagement, & Management Tools
• Machine Learning & Predictive Analytics
• Data & Storage Solutions
• Productivity Tools
• App Integration
• Compute

Amazon has the largest network of data centres in the world, which is why it has an extensive global reach and reliable performance in comparison to its cloud service competitors.

At a glance: best cloud storage provider comparison

Related articles

• What Are The Key Benefits of Cloud Computing?
• Types of Cloud Computing Software
• Cloud Storage vs. On-Premises Storage Systems: Which Is Better?

Learn about Bluecube cloud solution services

At Bluecube, we’re a Gold Microsoft Partner and Tier 1 Cloud Solution Provider that delivers affordable cloud subscriptions. Every data management strategy is bespoke to an organisation with an emphasis on maintaining high levels of security. Here are three ways our team can provide cloud solutions to businesses:

Cloud migration 

Our team helps companies develop a cloud strategy, project manage the process, and implement the migration to the cloud. With every migration we deliver, our team guarantees minimal downtime to avoid disruption to a business.

Cloud management 

As a business’s cloud management team, we deliver a cost-effective cloud subscription, without any contractual obligations. We also manage the important details of our clients’ subscriptions to ensure they’re getting the right cloud service for them.

Cloud security 

We have a highly experienced cloud security team who ensures staff can operate in a safe cloud environment. By applying preventative technology, vulnerability assessments, and security procedures, companies can operate using a secure cloud network.

We offer discounts on all the cloud solutions we deliver to clients. To find out more about cloud solutions, fill in an enquiry form on our contact page or visit our cloud solutions page today. Alternatively, you can give us a call at 0845 257 8010, or drop us an email at enquiries@bluecube.tech