As businesses discover new use cases and develop the infrastructure to support more IoT applications, the entire Internet of Things continues to evolve. Let’s look at some of the current trends in that evolution.

Table Of Contents

• Top 5 IoT Trends
  1. IoT Cybersecurity Concerns Grow
  2. IoT Advancements In Health Care
  3. 5G Enables More IoT Opportunities
  4. Demand For Specialized IoT Data Management
  5. Bundled IoT For The Enterprise Buyer
• The Future Of IoT
• Bottom Line: IoT Trends

Top 5 IoT Trends

IoT devices can help companies use their data in many ways, including generating, sharing and collecting data throughout their infrastructure. While some companies are leaping into IoT technology, others are more cautious, observing from the sidelines to learn from the experiences of those pioneering IoT.

When looking through these five key trends, keep in mind how IoT devices affect and interact with company infrastructure to solve problems.

1. IoT Cybersecurity Concerns Grow

As new IoT solutions develop quickly, are users being protected from cyber threats and their connected devices? Gabriel Aguiar Noury, robotics product manager at Canonical, which publishes the Ubuntu operating system, believes that as more people gain access to IoT devices and the attack surface grows, IoT companies themselves will need to take responsibility for cybersecurity efforts upfront.

“The IoT market is in a defining stage,” Noury said. “People have adopted more and more IoT devices and connected them to the internet.” At the same time they’re downloading mobile apps to control them while providing passwords and sensitive data without a clear understanding of where they will be stored and how they will be protected—and, in many cases, without even reading the terms and conditions.

“And even more importantly, they’re using devices without checking if they are getting security updates…,” Noury said. “People are not thinking enough about security risks, so it is up to the IoT companies themselves to take control of the situation.”

Ben Goodman, SVP of global business and corporate development at ForgeRock, an access management and identity cloud provider, thinks it’s important that we start thinking of IoT devices as citizens and hold them accountable for the same security and authorization requirements as humans.

“The evolution of IoT security is an increasingly important area to watch,” Goodman said. “Security can no longer be an afterthought prioritized somewhere after connectivity and analytics in the Internet of Things. Organizations need to start treating the ‘things’ in the Internet of Things as first-class citizens.”

Goodman said such a measure would mean that non-human entities are required to register and authenticate and have access granted and revoked, just like humans, helping to ensure oversight and control.

“Doing this for a thing is a unique challenge, because it can’t enter a username or password, answer timely questions, or think for itself,” he said. “However, it represents an incredible opportunity to build a secure network of non-human entities working together securely.”

For more information on IoT and security: Internet of Things (IoT) Security Trends

2. IoT Advancements In Healthcare

The healthcare industry has benefited directly from IoT advancements. Whether it’s support for at-home patient care, medical transportation, or pharmaceutical access, IoT solutions are assisting healthcare professionals with more direct care in situations where they cannot provide affordable or safe hands-on care.

Leon Godwin, principal cloud evangelist for EMEA at Sungard AS, a digital transformation and recovery company, explained that IoT not only makes healthcare more affordable—it also makes care and treatment more accessible and patient-oriented.

“IoT in healthcare will become more prevalent as healthcare providers look to reduce costs and drive better customer experience and engagement,” Godwin said. “This might include advanced sensors that can use light to measure blood pressure, which could be incorporated in watches, smartphones, or standalone devices or apps that can measure caloric intake from smartphone cameras.”

Godwin said that AI is also being used to analyze patient data, genetic information, and blood samples to create new drugs, and after the first experiment using drones to deliver organ transplants across cities happened successfully, rollout is expected more widely.

Jahangir Mohammed, founder and CEO of Twin Health, a digital twin company, thinks that one of the most significant breakthroughs for healthcare and IoT is the ability to constantly monitor health metrics outside of appointments and traditional medical tests.

“Recent innovations in IoT technology are enabling revolutionary advancements in healthcare,” Mohammed said. “Until now, individual health data has been mostly captured at points in time, such as during occasional physician visits or blood labs. As an industry, we lacked the ability to track continuous health data at the individual level at scale.

“Advancements in IoT are shifting this paradigm. Innovations in sensors now make it possible for valuable health information to be continuously collected from individuals.

Mohammed said advancements in AI and Machine Learning, such as digital twin technology and recurrent neural networks, make it possible to conduct real-time analysis and see cause-and-effect relationships within incredibly complex systems.

Neal Shah, CEO of CareYaya, an elder care tech startup, cited a more specific use case for IoT as it relates to supporting elders living at home—a group that suffered from isolation and lack of support during the pandemic.

“I see a lot of trends emerging in IoT innovation for the elderly to live longer at home and avoid institutionalization into a nursing home or assisted living facility,” Shah said. Through research partnerships with university biomedical engineering programs, CareYaya is field testing IoT sensors and devices that help with everything from fall prevention to medication reminders, biometric monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure—even mental health and depression early warning systems through observing trends in wake-up times.

Shah said such IoT innovations will improve safety and monitoring and make it possible for more of the vulnerable elderly population to remain in their own homes instead of moving into assisted living.

For more information on health care in IoT: The Internet of Things (IoT) in Health Care

3. 5G Enables More IoT Opportunities

5G connectivity will make more widespread IoT access possible. Currently, cellular companies and other enterprises are working to make 5G technology available in more areas to support further IoT development.

Bjorn Andersson, senior director of global IoT marketing at Hitachi Vantara, a top-performing IoT and  IT service management company, explained why the next wave of wider 5G access will make all the difference for new IoT use cases and efficiencies.

“With commercial 5G networks already live worldwide, the next wave of 5G expansion will allow organizations to digitize with more mobility, flexibility, reliability, and security,” Andersson said. “Manufacturing plants today must often hardwire all their machines, as Wi-Fi lacks the necessary reliability, bandwidth, or security.”

But 5G delivers the best of two worlds, he said—the flexibility of wireless with the reliability, performance, and security of wired networks. 5G provides enough bandwidth and low latency to have a more flexible impact than a wired network, enabling a whole new set of use cases.

Andersson said 5G will increase the feasibility of distributing massive numbers of small devices that in the aggregate provide enormous value with each bit of data.

“This capacity to rapidly support new apps is happening so early in the deployment cycle that new technologies and infrastructure deployment can happen almost immediately, rather than after decades of soaking it in,” he said. “With its widespread applicability, it will be feasible to deliver 5G even to rural areas and remote facilities far more quickly than with previous Gs.”

For more: Internet of Things (IoT) Software Trends

4. Demand For Specialized IoT Data Management

With its real-time collection of thousands of data points, the IoT solutions strategy focuses heavily on managing metadata about products and services. But the overwhelming amount of data involved means not all IoT developers and users have begun to fully optimize the data they can now access.

Sam Dillard, senior product manager of IoT and edge at InfluxData, a data platform provider for IoT and in-depth analytics use cases, believes that as connected IoT devices expand globally, tech companies will need to find smarter ways to store, manage and analyze the data produced by the Internet of Things.

“All IoT devices generate time-stamped (or time series) data,” Dillard said. “The explosion of this type of data, fueled by the need for more analytics, has accelerated the demand for specialized IoT platforms.”

By 2025, around 60 billion connected devices are projected to be deployed worldwide—the vast majority of which will be connected to IoT platforms, he said. Organizations will have to figure out ways to store the data and make it all sync together seamlessly as IoT deployments continue to scale at a rapid pace.

5. Bundled IoT For The Enterprise Buyer

While the average enterprise buyer might be interested in investing in IoT technology, the initial learning curve can be challenging as IoT developers work to perfect new use cases for users.

Andrew De La Torre, group VP of technology for Oracle Communications at cloud and data management company Oracle, believes that the next big wave of IoT adoption will be in bundled IoT or off-the-shelf IoT solutions that offer user-friendly operational functions and embedded analytics.

Results of a survey of 800 respondents revealed an evolution of priorities in IoT adoption across industries, De La Torre said—most notably, that enterprises are investing in off-the-shelf IoT solutions with a strong desire for connectivity and analytics capabilities built-in.

Because of specific capabilities, commercial off-the-shelf products can extend IoT into other industries thanks to its availability in public marketplaces. When off-the-shelf IoT aligns with industrial needs, it can replace certain components and systems used for general-use practices.

While off-the-shelf IoT is helpful to many companies, there are still risks as it develops—security risks include solution integration, remote accessibility and widespread deployments and usage. Companies using off-the-shelf products should improve security by ensuring that systems are properly integrated, running security assessments, and implementing policies and procedures for acquisitions.

The Future Of IoT

Customer demand changes constantly. IoT services need to develop at the same pace.

Here’s what experts expect the future of Iot development to look like:

Sustainability and IoT

Companies must embrace IoT and its insights so they can pivot to more sustainable practices, using resources responsibly and organizing processes to reduce waste.

There are multiple ways a company can contribute to sustainability in IoT:

• Smart energy management: Using granular IoT sensor data to allow equipment control can eliminate office HVAC system waste and benefit companies financially and with better sustainability practices.
• Extent use style: Using predictive maintenance with IoT can extend the lifespan of a company’s model of manufacturing. IoT will track what needs to be adjusted instead of creating a new model.
• Reusing company assets: Improved IoT information will help a company determine whether it needs a new product by looking at the condition of the assets and use history.

IoT and AI

The combination of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IoT can cause industries, businesses and economies to function in different ways than either IoT or AI function on their own. The combination of AI and IoT creates machines that have smart behaviors and supports strong decision-making processes.

While IoT deals with devices interacting through the internet, AI works with Machine Learning (ML) to help devices learn from their data.

AI IoT succeeds in the following implementations:

• Managing, analyzing, and obtaining helpful insights from customer data
• Offering quick and accurate analysis
• Adding personalization with data privacy
• Providing assistance to use security against cyber attacks

More Use of IoT in Industries

Healthcare is cited as one of the top IoT industries, but many others are discovering how IoT can benefit their companies.

Agriculture

IoT can be used by farmers to help make informed decisions using agriculture drones to map, image, and survey their farms along with greenhouse automation, monitoring of climate conditions, and cattle monitoring.

IoT enables agriculture companies to have more control over their internal processes while lowering production risks and costs. This will reduce food waste and improve product distribution.

Energy

IoT in the energy sector can improve business performance and customer satisfaction. There are many IoT benefits for energy industry, especially in the following areas:

• Remote monitoring and managing
• Process optimization
• Workload forecasting
• Grid balancing
• Better decision-making

Finance

Banks and customers have become familiar with managing transactions through many connected devices. Because the amount of data transferred and collected is extensive, financial businesses now have the ability to measure risk accurately using IoT.

Banks will start using sensors and data analytics to collect information about customers and offer personalized services based on their activity patterns. Banks will then better understand how their customers handle their money.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing organizations gather data at most stages of the manufacturing process, from product and process assistance through planning, assembly and maintenance.

The IoT applications in the manufacturing industry include:

• Production monitoring: With IoT services’ ability to monitor data patterns, IoT monitoring provides optimization, waste reduction and less mundane work in process inventory.
• Remote equipment management: Remote work has grown in popularity, and IoT services allow tracking and maintaining of equipment’s performance.
• Maintenance notifications: IoT services help optimize machine availability by receiving maintenance notifications when necessary.
• Supply chains: IoT solutions can help manufacturing companies track vehicles and assets, improving manufacturing and supply chain efficiency.

For more industries using IoT: IoT in Smart Cities

Bottom Line: IoT Trends

IoT technology reflects current trends and reaches many areas including AI, security, healthcare, and other industries to improve their processes.

Acknowledging IoT in a business can help a company improve a company structure, and IoT will benefit a company’s infrastructure and applications.

For IoT devices: 85 Top IoT Devices

For businesses considering a data warehouse solution, a number of competing providers offer a range of features and prices. This article will compare the top seven solutions and explain the features that differentiate them, making it easier to match them to specific needs.

Table Of Contents

• Top Data Warehouse Providers And Solutions
• Data Warehouse Providers And Solutions Comparison Table
• Amazon Redshift: Best For Deployment Optimization
• Google BigQuery: Best For Serverless Data Warehousing
• IBM Db2 Warehouse: Best For Analytic Workloads
• Azure Synapse Analytics: Best For Code-Free Offering
• Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse: Best For Integration
• SAP Datasphere: Best For Data Warehouse Templates
• Snowflake: Best For Cloud Data Warehouses
• Key Features Of Data Warehouse Providers And Solutions
• How To Choose What Data Warehouse Provider Best For You
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
• Bottom Line: Data Warehouse Providers And Solutions

Top Data Warehouse Providers and Solutions

The top seven providers all offer feature-rich data warehousing plans at varying prices. A business’s specific needs will determine which is right for them. When selecting a provider, consider the use cases and costs for each as outlined below.

Data Warehouse Providers And Solutions Comparison Table

Amazon Redshift: Best For Deployment Options

With Amazon’s entry into the cloud data warehouse market, Redshift is an ideal solution for those organizations that have already invested in AWS tooling and deployment. Redshift deploys with Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud, and web-based solutions.

Pricing

Amazon Redshift has a pricing page where users can sign up for a trial period, request a quote, or calculate costs based on needs. Pricing starts at $0.25 an hour and can be configured using various models based on usage.

Features

• Spectrum Feature: This feature allows organizations to directly connect with data stores in the AWS S3 cloud data storage service, reducing startup time and cost.
• Strong Performance: The performance benefits companies from AWS infrastructure and large parallel processing data warehouse architecture for distributed queries and data analysis.
• Integration With AWS Glue: AWS Glue makes it easy to write or autogenerate Extract, Transform, and Load (ETL) scripts in addition to testing and running them.

See all Redshift features at https://aws.amazon.com/redshift/features.

Pros

• Parallel processing capabilities
• Contains network isolation security
• Good documentation

Cons

• Expensive
• Poorly designed user interface
• Unable to restrict duplicate records

For more on AWS: AWS Data Portfolio Review

Google BigQuery: Best For Serverless Technology

Google BigQuery is a reasonable choice for users looking to use standard SQL queries to analyze large data sets in the cloud. It is a serverless enterprise data warehouse that uses cloud, scale, Machine Learning (ML)/Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Business Intelligence (BI).

Pricing

Google BigQuery’s pricing page contains specific information about pay-as-you-go plans and longer-term (one to three year) commitments. The provider offers multiple versions of the platform, including Enterprise Edition and Enterprise Plus Edition. The Standard Edition is a pay-as-you-go plan starting at $0.04 per slot hour and the Enterprise Edition has different plans to help a company find its cloud data warehouse.

Features

• Serverless Technology: Using serverless technology, Google handles the functions of a fully managed cloud service, data warehouse setup, and resource provisioning.
• Logical Data Warehousing Capabilities: BigQuery lets users connect with other data sources, including databases and spreadsheets to analyze data.
• Integration With BigQuery ML: With BigQuery ML machine learning, workloads can be trained on data in a data warehouse.

See all BigQuery features at https://cloud.google.com/bigquery.

Pros

• Works with Google Cloud
• Full SQL query support
• Efficient management of data

Cons

• No user support
• Difficult for beginners in data warehouses
• Difficult user interface

For more information on Google: Google Data Portfolio Review

IBM Db2 Warehouse: Best For Analytic Workloads

IBM Db2 Warehouse is a strong option for organizations handling analytics workloads that can benefit from the platform’s integrated in-memory database engine and Apache Spark analytics engine.

Pricing

IBM offers a free trial for IBM Db2 Warehouse and provides a pricing page where users can ask for a quote and estimate the cost. For the flex one plan, the pricing is $1.23 per instance-hour, $0.99 per VPC-hour, and $850 per a service endpoint dedicated connectivity.

For more information, go to IBM’s pricing page.

Features

• Helpful Integration: IBM Db2 Warehouse integrates an in-memory, columnar database engine, which can be a big benefit for organizations looking for a data warehouse that includes a high-performance database.
• Netezza Technology: Db2 Warehouse benefits from IBM’s Netezza technology with advanced data lookup capabilities.
• Cloud Deployment And On-Premises: Deployment can be done in either IBM cloud or in AWS, and there is also an on-premises version of Db2 Warehouse, which can be useful for organizations that have hybrid cloud deployment needs.

See all Db2 Warehouse features at https://www.ibm.com/products/db2/warehouse.

Pros

• Includes in-memory columnar database
• Cloud deployment options
• Configuration flexibility

Cons

• Expensive
• Limited references online
• Limited buffer pool commands

For more on IBM: IBM: Hybrid Cloud Portfolio Review

Azure Synapse Analytics: Best For Code-Free Offerings

Azure Synapse Analytics, previously known as Azure SQL Data Warehouse, is well suited for organizations of any size looking for an easy on-ramp into cloud-based data warehouse technology, thanks to its integration with Microsoft SQL Server.

Pricing

Azure Synapse Analytics’s pricing page allows customers to request a quote or explore pricing options. For tier one, Azure offers 5,000 units for $4,700; tier two offers 10,000 units for $9,200. For other tier options, refer to the pricing page.

Features

• Dynamic Data Masking (DDM): Azure Synapse Analytics provides a granular level of security control, enabling sensitive data to be hidden on the fly as queries are made.
• Azure Integration: Existing Microsoft users will likely find the most benefit from Azure SQL Data Warehouse, with multiple integrations across the Microsoft Azure public cloud and more importantly, SQL Server for a database.
• Parallel Processing: In contrast to simply running SQL Server on-premises, Microsoft has built on a massively parallel processing architecture that can enable users to run over a hundred concurrent queries.

See more Azure Synapse Analytics features at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/synapse-analytics/whats-new.

Pros

• Easy integration
• Some code-free offerings
• Strong data distribution

Cons

• Difficult logging metrics
• Limited diagramming tools
• Limited documentation

For more on Microsoft Azure: Microsoft Azure: Cloud Portfolio Review

Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse: Best For Integration

For existing users of the Oracle database, the Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse might be the easiest choice, offering a connected onramp into the cloud including the benefits of data marts, data warehouses, data lakes, and data lakehouses.

Pricing

Oracle’s Autonomous Data Warehouse’s main page offers pricing information as well as a cost estimator for users. The bottom price for Oracle Autonomous Data Warehouse shared and dedicated infrastructures is $0.25 per unit.

Features

• Works With Cloud And Hardware: A key differentiator for Oracle is that it runs the Autonomous Data Warehouse in an optimized cloud service with Oracle’s Exadata hardware systems, which has been purpose-built for the Oracle database.
• Easy Collaboration: The service integrates a web-based notebook and reporting services to share data analysis and enable easy collaboration.
• Strong Integration: While Oracle’s namesake database is supported, users can also migrate data from other databases and clouds, including Amazon Redshift, as well as on-premises object data stores.

See more features at https://www.oracle.com/autonomous-database/autonomous-data-warehouse/.

Pros

• Migration support for other database services
• Purpose-built hardware
• Fast query performance

Cons

• No on-premises solutions
• Limited data connection
• Complicated setup

For more on Oracle: Oracle Data Portfolio Review

SAP Datasphere: Best For Templates

Thanks to the pre-built templates it offers, SAP’s Datasphere might be a good fit for organizations looking for more of a turnkey approach to getting the full benefit of a data warehouse. SAP Datasphere allows data professionals to deliver scalable access to business data.

Pricing

SAP Datasphere’s pricing page lists a free tier and range of flexible pricing options based on needs. The price for capacity datasphere units is $1.06 per unit.

Features

• SAP’s HANA (High-performance Analytic Appliance): The cloud services and database are at the core of Data Warehouse Cloud, supplemented by best practices for data governance and integrated with a SQL query engine.
• Pre-Built Business Templates: Templates can help solve common data warehouse and analytics use cases for specific industries and lines of business.
• Integration with SAP Applications: SAP Datasphere integration means easier access to on-premises as well as cloud data sets.

See more features including a product demo at https://www.sap.com/products/technology-platform/datasphere.html.

Pros

• Inventory controls
• Extract data from multiple sources
• Strategic solutions

Cons

• Difficult for beginners
• Difficult integration
• Limited visual analytics

For more on SAP: SAP Data Portfolio Review

Snowflake: Best For Data Warehouse In The Cloud

Snowflake is a great option for organizations in any industry that want a choice of different public cloud providers for data warehouse capabilities. Snowflake aims to bring development to data, help companies govern data for users, and work globally and cross-cloud.

Pricing

Snowflake’s pricing page links to a quote page and offers a 30-day free trial with $400 of free usage.

Features

• Database Engine: Snowflake’s columnar database engine capability can handle both structured and semi-structured data, such as JSON and XML.
• Cloud Provider Of Choice: Snowflake architecture allows for compute and storage to scale separately, with data storage provided on the user’s cloud provider of choice.
• Virtual Data Warehouse: The system creates what Snowflake refers to as a virtual data warehouse, where different workloads share the same data but can run independently.

See more features at https://www.snowflake.com/en/.

Pros

• SQL-based queries for analytics
• Support for JSON and XML
• Integration with AWS, Azure, and GCP

Cons

• Limited data visualization
• Unable to create dynamic SQL
• Difficult documentation

For more information on Snowflake: Snowflake and the Enterprise Data Platform

Key Features of Data Warehouse Providers and Solutions

Cloud data warehouses typically include a database or pointers to a collection of databases where the production data is collected. Many modern cloud data warehouses also include some form of integrated query engine that enables users to search and analyze the data and assist with data mining.

Other key features to look for in a cloud data warehouse setup:

• Integration or API Libraries
• Data Quality and Compliance Tools
• ETL Tools
• Data Access Tools/Database Searchability
• SQL and NoSQL Data Capabilities

For more features and benefits: Top 10 Benefits of Data Warehousing: Is It Right for You?

How To Choose Which Data Warehouse Provider is Best for You

When looking to choose a cloud data warehouse service, there are several criteria to consider.

Existing Cloud Deployments. Each of the major public cloud providers has its data warehouse that provides integration with existing resources, which could make deployment and usage easier for cloud data warehouse users.

Ability to Migrate Data. Consider the different types of data the organization has and where it is stored. The ability to migrate data effectively into a new data warehouse is critically important.

Storage Options. While data warehouse solutions can be used to store data, having the ability to access commodity cloud storage services can provide lower-cost options.

Bottom Line: Data Warehousing Providers and Solutions

When considering providers and solutions of data warehousing, it’s important to weigh features and cost against your company’s primary goals, including deployment and analytic needs and cloud services.

While each provider and solution offers a variety of features, identifying a company’s own use case can help better evaluate them against a company’s needs.

For more information: 15 Best Data Warehouse Software & Tools

The cloud networking market has made it easier for companies to use intent-based networking, business intelligence (BI), configuration management, and services such as software-defined, cloud, edge, and networking solutions.

For more network trends: Top Network Segmentation Trends

Top 5 Cloud Networking Trends

1. Enterprise Network Strategy In The User’s Home

Changing workforce expectations have led many companies to a more globally distributed remote workforce – a trend that also rises with the cloud. 

As a result, enterprise networking infrastructure now has to support users in their homes.

Drit Suljoti, co-founder and CTO of Catchpoint, a digital experience monitoring platform provider, explained that consumer-grade networking technology does not always offer the levels of support and visibility necessary for remote work, which is increasingly becoming a problem.

“Organizations across the board have experienced the frustrations and performance volatility that can result from consumer-grade WiFi, VPN clients, and increased dependence on the internet from the employee’s wider household,” Suljoti said. “At the ground level, how can IT support desks ensure they have the necessary visibility into the daily digital life of their remote employees? 

“These mission-critical teams need the ability to understand the digital performance of an individual’s device, network, and applications, and the third-party providers they rely on. This is even more essential when employees are working remotely, without on-site support to troubleshoot performance issues.”

Bob Friday, VP and CTO of Mist, Juniper’s artificial intelligence (AI)-driven enterprise business, believes that many companies are starting to respond to this remote work shift by increasing networking security and monitoring their employees’ remote work environments.

“[A] major shift is in how enterprise-level networking trends are becoming increasingly important for personal users as well,” Friday said. “Whether you’re an executive at a company or you work in a profession that puts you into contact with sensitive information, the continued normalization of remote and hybrid work environments means that enterprise-grade networking and security will move into the home networking space.

“To ensure end-to-end network visibility, reliability, and security, we can expect enterprise-grade networking solutions to begin permeating remote and hybrid workforces, as enterprise IT teams take an even sharper look at their network edge.”

2. Networking With Remote AI Support

Users and enterprise devices often need technical support that was normally provided in the office. As remote work – again, supported by the cloud – continues to become a standard approach, many companies are adopting AI solutions to assist with customer experience (CX) and support requirements of the network.

“More help is needed in managing this critical infrastructure, which is why AI has become a necessity for network management,” said Friday. “Enterprises and technology providers have already adopted AI assistants in their networking support teams. Cloud AI has enabled a new tech support model, one that has created the volume and quality of data necessary to train AI technologies. 

“This AIOps model has led to incredible progress. At present, AI can answer up to 70% of support tickets with the same effectiveness as a domain expert. Eventually, this AIOps technology will move all the way to the end-user. 

“And like the average human employee, AI has the ability to learn and improve over time, thus providing a better customer experience consistently and proactively. But unlike the average human employee, that skill and expertise is not lost when they retire or quit. The more that AI is used as part of the IT help desk, the more the technology can improve its answers and, ultimately, the end-user experience.”

3. The Growth Of Intent-Based Networking (IBN)

Networking technology continues to grow more sophisticated. Particularly with the more widespread use of software-defined networking (SDN), intent-based networking is being used more in enterprise networks that want additional business intelligence (BI), configuration management, and other features embedded in their networks. All of these feature are part of the growing sophistication of cloud technology. 

Eric McGee, senior network engineer at TRG Datacenters, a data center vendor, explained why IBN is helpful to network administrators who want to better understand and manage their networks.

“One important networking technology trend that network engineers need to take note of is the emergence of intent-based networking,” McGee said. “The main role of IBN is to capture business intent and apply these insights across the network, ensuring that network administration is aligned with business intent. In other words, the IBN framework will receive an intent from the business and translate it, or encode it into the configuration of the network, resulting in the desired changes. Now, the network infrastructure is aligned with the business’s current needs.

“IBN also enables the automation of network administrative tasks involved, such as the configuration of networks, mitigation of risks, as well as the reporting and solving of network issues. Implementing IBN as a form of network administration makes the process of creating, managing, implementing, and monitoring network policies easier, simpler, and less labor-intensive. A lot of the manual effort put into traditional configuration management is made redundant when IBN is implemented.”

4. Holistic Networking Offerings

Traditional networking solutions typically need a variety of hardware and software components to work properly. 

However, as networks continue to evolve their software-defined, cloud, edge, and solutions, many networking vendors are offering more holistic networking packages to manage every aspect of the network.

Patrick MeLampy, Juniper Fellow at Juniper Networks, a top global networking company, believes that enterprise client-to-cloud connectivity is one of the biggest drivers behind more unified networking packages.

“I’d have to say that there are a few key networking trends that are gaining steam,” MeLampy said. “Enterprise client-to-cloud connectivity service offerings will take off. This means we’ll see Wi-Fi, wired, routing, and security capabilities pulled together, all in one simple offering, making it more efficient and effective for teams to manage ever-expanding networks.”

For more on cloud networking: The Cloud Networking Market

5. Managing Network Data With Different Ops Methodologies

With more software- and cloud-based networking solutions used across the board, several companies are looking into new ways to manage and read their networking data.

Richard Larkin, manager of North America sales engineering at NetBrain, a next-gen network operations company, believes that the knowledge and approach of different ops teams are particularly applicable to new ways of automating network data management. 

“The days of managing networks with SNMP polling and traps as well as Syslog data are almost over,” Larkin said. “Many enterprises still leverage these telemetry sources, but it’s not enough. We need a more comprehensive solution harvesting data, from API, CLI, packet, netflow, and other sources, to get the complete picture as well as visibility into SD-WAN, SDN, cloud, and SaaS offerings.

“A trend that I am seeing is the blending and blurring of lines between NetOps, SecOps, and DevOps. With networks becoming more software-defined and cloud-based, organizations are trying to fill the gap of the traditional network monitoring data (SNMP, Syslog, etc.) with homegrown solutions using Python, Ansible, and other coding. What would be interesting is if there was an easier way to codify the knowledge of the NetOps teams that required minimal coding and can be produced in minutes, not hours, days, and weeks.”

For more on networking management: The Network Management Market

The Future Of Cloud Networking

With the vitality in cloud networking for businesses, these trends above will further develop in the future, offering more opportunities for the growing market. From automation and network efficiency, businesses will see more benefits than ever.

Looking ahead, the future developments in cloud networking may include:

• Networking automation: Using network automation will help a company with a variety of tasks, including configuring, provisioning, managing, and testing network devices.
• Network-as-a-Service (NaaS): NaaS is a cloud model that allows users to control their network and attain the performance they expect from it without having to own, build, or maintain their infrastructure.
• 5G Cellular: 5G, the latest cellular update, allows a new network designed to connect virtually, including machines, devices, and more.
• Wi-Fi 6: Wi-Fi 6 is the new release for Wi-Fi network protocol that can be faster than its predecessors due to more focus on traffic and other technologies.
• Network Efficiency: With improved network scalability in the next couple of years, traffic will be aggregated for IP and Ethernet platforms. 
• Universal Networks: In the future, networking will have the ability to add new protocols and functions for better service. This can include services such as Ethernet services, mobile services, and more.

Along with the listed predictions and processes, more technologies are developing in networking, including AI, ML, the cloud, edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT), and more as they continue to play an increasingly important role in the future of networking. 

Bottom Line: Top Cloud Networking Trends

With remote training becoming a necessity in businesses, networking can help manage workers at home with a network strategy and remote AI support – a trend that leverages cloud networking to a great extent. 

Companies can use tools such as software-defined networking (SDN), intent-based networking, business intelligence (BI), and configuration management through their networking infrastructure.

Networking used to be based on hardware-defined networking, increasingly also offers services such as software-defined, cloud, edge, and networking solutions. 

For more information: Top 10 Enterprise Networking Companies

IoT professionals looking to advance their careers must prove they have the necessary knowledge and abilities and a certificate can help grow a person’s knowledge.

Table of Content:

• Top 8 Internet of Things Certifications
  • CCC Internet Of Things Foundation Certification: Best For Cloud IoT
  • CertNexus Certified Internet Of Things Practitioner: Best For Vendor-Neutral Learning
  • Microsoft Certified Azure IoT Developer: Best For Azure Users
  • Arcitura Certified IoT Architect: Best For Beginners
  • Global Tech Council Certified IoT Expert: Best For Programmers
  • AWS Internet Of Things Foundation Series: Best For Price
  • Stanford Internet Of Things Graduate Certificate: Best For Experts
  • hIOTron’s End-To-End IoT Certification Course: Best For Job Hunting
• Why Should You Get An IoT Certification?
• Bottom Line: Internet of Things Certifications

For more on IoT platforms: Best IoT Platforms & Software

Top 8 Internet of Things Certifications

IoT certifications can provide that proof that a student has the education in IoT for future jobs or improvement with how a company uses IoT.

Here are eight that could help workers impress employers:

1. CCC Internet Of Things Foundation Certification: Best For Cloud IoT

The Cloud Credential Council (CCC) offers one of the most comprehensive, vendor-neutral IoT certifications. The Internet of Things Foundation (IoTF) certification covers six learning modules, including IoT security and governance, architecture, and business use cases. According to the CCC, ideal participants include software engineers, system administrators, and IT architects.

Skills Acquired

The certification can teach many skills based on the path a student decides to use.

This includes:

• Define concepts and terminologies of IoT.
• Examine new devices and interfaces that are driving IoT growth.
• Relate to business perspectives of IoT (advantages of early adoption of IoT technologies).
• Predict the implications of IoT for your business.
• Examine the role of enabling technologies for IoT, such as cloud computing and Big Data.
• Identify security and governance issues with IoT.
• Examine future growth opportunities of IoT in the coming years.

Requirements

This course has no prerequisites, but participants should have a firm grasp of cloud-related concepts and terms.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: 60 minutes, 25 questions.
Location: Webcam-proctored online only.
Cost: $349 (Study materials and voucher for exam).

For more on IoT Cloud: Internet of Things (IoT) Cloud Trends

2. CertNexus Certified Internet Of Things Practitioner: Best For Vendor-Neutral Learning

Another comprehensive, vendor-neutral certification is CertNexus’s Certified Internet of Things Practitioner. This course covers six topics, from constructing and programming IoT devices to processing data and identifying real-world use cases. It stands out because it’s accredited under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard, a requirement for many government projects.

Skills Acquired

The certification can teach many skills based on the path a student decides to use.

This includes:

• Foundational knowledge.
• Implement IoT systems.
• Design IoT systems.
• Manage an IoT ecosystem.

Requirements

There are no prerequisites, but participants can take a readiness assessment to see if they have the recommended baseline skills and knowledge.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: Two hours, 100 questions.
Location: In person at Pearson VUE test centers or online via Pearson OnVUE.
Cost: Exam $250, self-study $450, in-person classes up to $1,500.

3. Microsoft Certified Azure IoT Developer: Best for Azure Users

IoT professionals looking for vendor-specific options should consider Microsoft’s Certified Azure IoT Developer certification. It equips participants to develop, deploy and manage Azure IoT Edge applications. It focuses mainly on programming and implementation, ideal for workers who lead Azure-specific IoT teams.

Skills Acquired

The certification teaches many skills based on Azure IoT.

This includes:

• Set up the Azure IoT Hub solution infrastructure.
• Provision and manage devices.
• Implement IoT Edge.
• Implement business integration.
• Process and manage data.
• Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize IoT solutions.
• Implement security.

Requirements

Candidates must be able to program in at least one Azure IoT SDK-supported language and understand device types and services.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: ~Two hours.
Location: Proctored online (contact for more details).
Cost: Between $2,000-3,000; exam $165.

4. Arcitura Certified IoT Architect: Best For Beginners

Arcitura’s Certified IoT Architect certification includes three IoT courses, covering skills in IoT architecture, radio protocols, telemetry, and real-world use cases. After learning about these concepts in the first two courses, applicants will apply them in lab exercises in the third. Participants can take the exam without completing the coursework but may be unprepared if they skip it.

Skills Acquired

The certification can teach many skills based on the path a student decides to use.

This includes:

• Introduction of Internet of Things (IoT) concepts.
• Terminology and common models.
• IoT technology architecture and solution design.
• IoT communication protocols.
• Telemetry messaging.
• IoT architecture layers.

Requirements

There are no requirements for the certification.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: 110 minutes.
Location: On-site Pearson VUE test centers.
Cost: $249.

5. Global Tech Council Certified IoT Expert: Best for Programmers

IoT professionals seeking a more flexible option may find the Global Tech Council’s Certified IoT Expert course appealing. The entirely self-guided course lasts eight hours in total, and lifetime access means applicants can take it at whatever pace they choose. By the end, participants will learn skills in IoT architecture, protocols, cloud and smart grid applications, Arduino and Raspberry Pi, and more.

Skills Acquired

The certification can teach many skills in IoT from software to key components.

This includes:

• IoT Key Components.
• IoT Layer Architecture.
• IoT Middleware.
• Communication and data link protocol.
• Layer protocols.
• IoT Cloud.
• Fog, Edge, and Grid Computing.
• IoT-aided Smart Grid System.
• Introduction to Arduino.
• Raspberry Pi Models.

Requirements

There are no formal prerequisites, but applicants should have basic programming and app development skills.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: N/A.
Location: Online.
Cost: $199.

6. AWS Internet Of Things Foundation Series: Best For Price

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most popular networking service providers globally, so IoT professionals can gain much from understanding it. Consequently, working through AWS’s Internet of Things Foundation Series is an excellent choice for any IoT worker. Professionals can point toward the course as evidence they have experience in AWS IoT applications.

Skills Acquired

The AWS class can teach many skills in IoT.

This includes:

• Telemetry.
• IoT command and control.
• Fleet management.
• Predictive maintenance.

Requirements

Participants should likely have baseline IoT technical knowledge.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of class: 9.5 hours.
Location: On the AWS website.
Cost: Free.

For more on IoT: Internet of Things (IoT) Use Cases

7. Stanford Internet Of Things Graduate Certificate: Best For Experts

Another certification that stands out from the others is Stanford University’s Internet of Things Graduate Certificate. This is a graduate school-level program covering four non-credit online courses, and participants can pick from a list of 15. Applicants can show IoT experience from a leading engineering school after receiving a B or higher in the program. Specific takeaways will vary by course, but participants will generally learn about underlying IoT technologies, circuit design, web applications, security, and emerging tech.

Skills Acquired

The certification can teach many skills based on the path a student decides to use.

This includes:

• IoT technologies.
• Circuit design.
• Web applications.
• IoT security.
• Emerging tech.

Requirements

This certificate requires a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 and advanced knowledge of programming languages.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: Three-year course; exam N/A.
Location: Online.
Cost: $16,800-$21,000.

8. hIOTron’s End-To-End IoT Certification Course: Best For Job Hunting

hIOTron’s End-To-End IoT Certification Course is a certification that allows users to teach monitoring, analyzing, and IoT experience. Users will be certified by the course, ensuring that a user has a complete understanding of core IoT needs. This also includes IoT frameworks and architecture with practice for users.

Skills Acquired

The certification can teach many skills based on the path a student decides to use.

This includes:

• IoT device communication.
• IoT industry uses.
• Learn to build the first End-To-End IOT product using Rasp-berry pi devices.
• Hands-on practicals with IoT Gateway.
• Set up MQTT Broker and Node server.
• End-To-End IoT applications.

Requirements

There are no requirements for the certification.

Duration, Location, And Cost

Length of exam: N/A
Location: Online and classroom.
Cost: Upon request.

For more information on the IoT job market: 5 Trends in the Internet of Things (IoT) Job Market

Why Should You Get An IoT Certification?

IoT certifications can help a user demonstrate their understanding of IoT, such as architecture, management, and security. IoT may have not been included in a university course due to the technology being new for many developers. Understanding IoT helps a company’s employees as well as tech experts looking for a job.

Many jobs require at least baseline knowledge of IoT. Some jobs include:

• Data analyst (IoT).
• IoT developer.
• Chief developer.
• IoT application developer.
• Engineering IoT field application engineer.

Bottom Line: Internet of Things Certifications

IoT is a growing industry that is becoming more relevant in the tech field. Certification can help a user to advance, find a great career, and help with further education.

IoT certifications can seem very difficult, however, finding the best one can be easy as the topic grows and changes.

For more on IoT: The Internet of Things (IoT) Software Market

Particularly with innovations like the cloud, edge computing, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and streaming, big data has become more prevalent for organizations that want to better understand their customers and operational potential. 

Big Data Trends: Table of Contents

• Real Time Analytics
  
• Stronger Reliance on Cloud Storage
  
• Ethical Customer Data Collection
• AI/ML Powered Automation
• Big Data in Different Industries
• Challenges in Big Data
• Bottom Line: Big Data Trends

Real Time Analytics

Real time big data analytics – data that streams moment by moment – is becoming more popular within businesses to help with large and diverse big data sets. This includes structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from different sizes of data sets.

With real time big data analytics, a company can have faster decision-making, modeling, and predicting of future outcomes and business intelligence (BI). There are many benefits when it comes to real time analytics in businesses:

• Faster decision-making: Companies can access a large amount of data and analyze a variety of sources of data to receive insights and take needed action – fast.
• Cost reduction: Data processing and storage tools can help companies save costs in storing and analyzing data. 
• Operational efficiency: Quickly finding patterns and insights that help a company identify repeated data patterns more efficiently is a competitive advantage. 
• Improved data-driven market: Analyzing real time data from many devices and platforms empowers a company to be data-driven. Customer needs and potential risks can be discovered so they can create new products and services.

Big data analytics can help any company grow and change the way they do business for customers and employees.

For more on structured and unstructured data: Structured vs. Unstructured Data: Key Differences Explained

Stronger Reliance On Cloud Storage

Big data comes into organizations from many different directions, and with the growth of tech, such as streaming data, observational data, or data unrelated to transactions, big data storage capacity is an issue.

In most businesses, traditional on-premises data storage no longer suffices for the terabytes and petabytes of data flowing into the organization. Cloud and hybrid cloud solutions are increasingly being chosen for their simplified storage infrastructure and scalability.

Popular big data cloud storage tools:

• Amazon Web Services S3
• Microsoft Azure Data Lake
• Google Cloud Storage
• Oracle Cloud
• IBM Cloud
• Alibaba Cloud

With an increased reliance on cloud storage, companies have also started to implement other cloud-based solutions, such as cloud-hosted data warehouses and data lakes. 

For more on data warehousing: 15 Best Data Warehouse Software & Tools

Ethical Customer Data Collection 

Much of the increase in big data over the years has come in the form of consumer data or data that is constantly connected to consumers while they use tech such as streaming devices, IoT devices, and social media. 

Data regulations like GDPR require organizations to handle this personal data with care and compliance, but compliance becomes incredibly complicated when companies don’t know where their data is coming from or what sensitive data is stored in their systems. 

That’s why more companies are relying on software and best practices that emphasize ethical customer data collection.

It’s also important to note that many larger organizations that have historically collected and sold personal data are changing their approach, making consumer data less accessible and more expensive to purchase. 

Many smaller companies are now opting into first-party data sourcing, or collecting their own data, not only to ensure compliance with data laws and maintain data quality but also for cost savings.

AI/ML-Powered Automation

One of the most significant big data trends is using big data analytics to power AI/ML automation, both for consumer-facing needs and internal operations. 

Without the depth and breadth of big data, these automated tools would not have the training data necessary to replace human actions at an enterprise.

AI and ML solutions are exciting on their own, but the automation and workflow shortcuts that they enable are business game-changers. 

With the continued growth of big data input for AI/ML solutions, expect to see more predictive and real-time analytics possibilities in everything from workflow automation to customer service chatbots.

Big Data In Different Industries 

Different industries are picking up on big data and seeing many changes in how big data can help their businesses grow and change. From banking to healthcare, big data can help companies grow, change their technology, and provide for their data.

Banking

Banks must use big data for business and customer accounts to identify any cybersecurity risk that may happen. Big data also can help banks have location intelligence to manage and set goals for branch locations.

As big data develops, big data may become a basis for banks to use money more efficiently.

Agriculture

Agriculture is a large industry, and big data is vital within the industry. However, using the growing big data tools such as big data analytics can predict the weather and when it is best to plant or other agricultural situations for farmers.

Because agriculture is one of the most crucial industries, it’s important that big data support it, and it’s vital to help farmers in their processes. 

Real Estate And Property Management 

Understanding current property markets is necessary for anyone looking, selling, or renting a place to live. With big data, real estate firms can have better property analysis, better trends, and an understanding of customers and markets.

Property management companies are also utilizing their big data collected from their buildings to increase performance, find areas of concern, and help with maintenance processes.

Healthcare

Big data is one of the most important technologies within healthcare. Data needs to be collected from all patients to ensure they are receiving the care they need. This includes data on which medicine a patient should take, their vitals are and how they could change, and what a patient should consume. 

Going forward, data collection through devices will be able to help doctors understand their patients at an even deeper level, which can also help doctors save money and deliver better care.

Challenges in Big Data

With every helpful tool, there will be challenges for companies. While big data grows and changes, there are still challenges to solve.

Here are four challenges and how they can be solved:

Misunderstanding In Big Data

Companies and employees need to know how big data works. This includes storage, processing, key issues, and how a company plans to use the big data tools. Without clarity, properly using big data may not be possible.

Solutions: Big data training and workshops can help companies let their employees learn the ins and outs of how the company is using big data and how it benefits the company.

Data Growth

Storing data properly can be difficult, given how constantly data storehouses grow. This can include unstructured data that cannot be found in all databases. As data grows, it is important to know how to handle the data so the challenge can be fixed as soon as possible.

Solutions: Modern techniques, such as compression, tiering, and deduplication can help a company with large data sets. Using these techniques may help a company with growth and remove duplicate data and unwanted data.

Integrating Company Data

Data integration is necessary for analysis, reporting, and BI. These sources may contain social media pages, ERP applications, customer logs, financial reports, e-mails, presentations, and reports created by employees. This can be difficult to integrate, but it is possible.

Solutions: Integration is based on what tools are used for integration. Companies need to research and find the correct tools.

Lack Of Big Data Professionals

Data tools are growing and changing and often need a professional to handle them, including professionals with titles like data scientists, data analysts, and data engineers. However, some of these workers cannot keep up with the changes happening in the market.

Solutions: Investing money into a worker faced with difficulties in tech changes can fix this problem. Despite the expense, this can solve many problems with companies using big data.

Most challenges with big data can be solved with a company’s care and effort. The trends are growing to be more helpful for companies in need, and challenges will decrease as the technology grows. 

For more big data tools: Top 23 Big Data Companies: Which Are The Best?

Bottom Line: Growing Big Data Trends

Big data is changing continuously to help companies across all industries. Even with the challenges, big data trends will help companies as it grows.

Real time analytics, cloud storage, customer data collection, AI/ML automation, and big data across industries can dramatically help companies improve their big data tools.

A managed services provider is a third-party organization that provides different IT and business management services under a subscription model or on a contract basis. MSPs can handle complex business operations by implementing the latest technology and engaging expert resources. 

For many companies, outsourcing services to MSPs can lower budgetary expenditures as the number of directly employed resources decreases. Also, as the business needs change dynamically, you can scale up and down accordingly. 

Given their importance, it’s essential that companies have a full understanding of the managed services providers market. Below, Datamation has detailed the offerings in this rapidly growing sector.

For more information, also see: What is Cloud Computing 

Best Managed Services Providers 

• Accenture: Best Overall MSP
  
• Atos: Best Azure Experts MSP
  
• Capgemini: Best for Innovative MSP
  
• CDW Corporation: Best for Security Solutions
  
• Cognizant: Best Cloud Solutions MSP
  
• Deloitte: Best Finance Solutions MSP
  
• IBM: Best Reliable MSP
  
• Rocket Data Intelligence: Best for Automated Data Lineage
  
• HCL Technologies: Best Next-Gen MSP
  
• Infosys: Best MSP for Digital Agility
  
• LTI: Best for Advanced Cloud Solutions
  
• DXC Technologies: Best for End-to-End IT Services
  
• PwC: Best MSP for Outcome-Based Services
  
• TCS: Best MSP for Diverse Services
  
• Wipro: Best MSP for Cloud Migration
  
• NTT Data: Best Detail-Oriented MSP
  
• Rackspace: Best MSP for Data Services
  
• MSP Comparison Chart
  
• How to Choose a Managed Services Provider
  
• Advantages of MSPs
  
• Bottom Line: Top Managed Services Providers
  

For more information, also see: What is Big Data Security?

Top MSPs Compared

Accenture: Best Overall MSP

Accenture is a global IT leader with superior digital, cloud, and security capabilities. It helps businesses build their digital core with specialized technology solutions.

Accenture’s Managed Services include cloud infrastructure management, technology innovation, security service offerings, intelligent cloud operations, and more. It offers  comprehensive, fully managed cloud services that help businesses unlock new performance levels. 

Major Platforms Supported

Accenture services encompass intelligent platforms like SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe, and Workday. These technologies help accelerate radical growth through interoperability.

Pros

• Cost-efficient services
• Well-architected practices
• Multiple-layered integrated security

Cons

• Some users have found issues with app deployment

Pricing

Accenture relies on a new pricing platform, Manage myPrice, that supports differentiated pricing approaches based on specific service attributes. Pricing details for different services can be obtained by contacting the support system on the official website. 

Atos: Best Azure Expert MSP

In terms of synchronizing digital transformation, Atos is a world leader. Besides being a pioneer in secure and carbon-neutral digital, Atos is also active in digital and cloud workspaces.

Atos’s managed services cover IoT security, digital transformation, Industry 4.0, digital workplace, cognitive computing and data analytics, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, hybrid cloud security, data protection, next-gen infrastructure, trusted digital identities, governance, and advanced detection and response. Microsoft has recognized Atos as an Azure Expert. 

Major Platforms Supported

Atos supports a wide range of platforms and has strong partners, including Dell EMC, Oracle, RSA, F5, HP, Microsoft, Google Cloud, VMware, SAP, IBM, Cisco, AWS, Citrix, Salesforce, F5, Networks, and Juniper. 

Pros

• Robust consulting 
• Excellent IT development and management approaches

Cons

• Some users feel there is a lack of focused security management.

Pricing

There’s no pricing information on the official website. However, for detailed pricing based on your requirements, you can contact through Atos’s official webpage directly. 

Capgemini: Best for strongly innovative MSP

Capgemini is a frontrunner when it comes to managed services, IT support and development, and global consulting. To serve the demands of organizations in design, strategy, operations, and other areas, Capgemini leverages its competence and technology in areas including AI, data, connectivity, cloud, software, and digital engineering. 

Capgemini’s Managed Services are designed to suit most of the chief industrial groups. Its services include deploying cloud applications, configuring cloud apps, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), self-service brokering and provisioning, and application services. 

Major Platforms Supported

Capgemini supports Google, Azure, SAP, Virtustream, AWS, SAS, Adobe, HPE, Oracle, SoftLayer (IBM), Cloudera, Dell EMC, Microsoft, Salesforce, and HP for managed services on public cloud platforms.  

Pros

• Unbeatable IT/cloud development and management services 
• Leader in global consulting 
• Excellent support for regulatory controls.

Cons

• A few users complain that the pricing is not competitive.

Pricing

You can contact the official website of Capgemini to understand the pricing details. 

CDW Corporation: Best MSP for Security Solutions 

Along with being well-known for reselling hardware and software, CDW also provides significant integration, consulting, professional services, and managed IT services for the government and enterprises. CDW assists enterprises in managing their infrastructure and sophisticated applications through reliable and integrated solutions. 

CDW provides managed and expert solutions in a lot of areas, including cybersecurity, digital transformation, cloud, etc. CDW’s managed services include IaaS, DRaaS, backup-as-a-service, managed hosting, software-a-solution (SaaS), and cloud integrations and subscriptions.

Major Platforms Supported

CDW Corporation supports several platforms in deploying and developing AI services and technologies in partnership with Google, Microsoft, Dell, Adobe, HP, and IBM. 

Pros

• Incredible IT integration, migration, and management
• End-to-end support in solving business challenges 

Cons

• Users feel that CDW can work on its interface and make it more user-friendly.

Pricing

Since CDW offers customized solutions based on your business requirements, you can contact them directly for pricing details. 

Cognizant: Best Cloud Solutions MSP

Cognizant has an “innovation with purpose” stance when it comes to providing consulting and enterprise IT services. The company’s mission is to create technological frameworks that equip enterprises for transformation in a digital economy that is undergoing a fast transition.

Cognizant’s managed services offer monitoring and notification, provisioning and orchestration, governance, security, application performance management, and a lot more in the field of the cloud management spectrum. It redesigns and reinvents business models and offers brilliant services to simplify complex tasks.

Major Platforms Supported

Cognizant holds a brilliant reputation in terms of loyalty. The organization supports several platforms and has a robust technology partnership with Microsoft, Google Cloud, SAP, AWS, Oracle, IBM, Salesforce, and VMware.

Pros

• Strong consulting expertise 
• Excellent IT services

Cons

• Some users have pointed out quality concerns. 

Pricing

For pricing details, you can contact them directly and discuss your requirements to get a quote.

Deloitte: Best Finance Solutions MSP

For thousands of businesses, Deloitte is a market leader in providing risk advice, consultancy, audit, tax, and assurance services. Through its application management experts, Deloitte assists businesses in managing the increasing complexity of the current technological landscape, thereby enhancing application performance and garnering improved business outcomes.

Deloitte’s Managed Services division supports a wide range of core business services and hybrid IT, including risk advisory and consulting. It offers integrated, end-to-end zero trust cybersecurity solutions to its customers and managed services over several (hybrid, multi, and private) cloud deployments. 

Major Platforms Supported

Holding an upside in managing vast enterprise clients, Deloitte supports a wide range of major platforms, including Google Cloud, Alibaba, Microsoft, AWS, IBM, and Oracle. 

Pros

• Expertise in handling compliance and regulatory challenges. 
• Supports hybrid IT

Cons

• Services can be pricey.  

Pricing

Deloitte offers flexible pricing. You can contact them directly with your query. 

IBM: Best Reliable MSP

IBM is a global IT service powerhouse that offers incredible managed services in the market. It also offers support for other MSPs via an MSP model or directly. IBM focuses on blockchain, IoT, AI, advanced analytics, cloud, and machine learning. 

IBM’ Managed security services include managed cybersecurity that further consists of threat management, cloud security and managed network security, MDR, Secure Access Service Edge, intrusion prevention and detection, and firewall services. 

Major Platforms Supported

Some of the major platforms supported by IBM include Red Hat, Box, Apple, Salesforce, Samsung, and many others.

Pros

• Ease of use system 
• Out of the box system 
• Easy implementation
• Can connect with any current IBM product smoothly. 

Cons

• Best suited for large firms

Pricing

You need to contact an IBM representative to understand the pricing policies for different managed services. 

HCL Technologies: Best Next-Gen MSP 

HCL Technologies offers next-gen MSP that helps organizations to reconceptualize their businesses and approaches in the digital era. The company mainly focuses on agile and lean approaches, intersecting heavily with a lot of technologies, including cloud, automation, digitalization, analytics, and IoT.

HCL Technologies offers global IT transformation, productive IT infrastructure, Intelligent operations, Cognitive Automation, Application Modernization and Integration services, and many more. 

Major Platforms Supported

HCL’s major platforms involve Oracle, SAP, Microsoft, and many others.

Pros

• Excellent IT service capabilities 
• Robust consulting 
• Comes with a proprietary Mode 1-2-3 framework to facilitate transformation

Cons

• Some users have complained of poor front-end experience. 

Pricing

For pricing options, you can contact HCL’s official website. 

Infosys: Best MSP for Digital Agility 

Infosys serves the market with a vast spectrum of IT services. The firm generally focuses on AI and digital agility to scale to help firms to adopt digital business ideas. 

Being a leader in offering IT, consulting, and professional services globally, Infosys’s managed services include exploring digital technologies like AI, IoT, experimental interfaces, machine learning, wearables, etc. 

Major Platforms Supported

The major platforms supported by Infosys are Adobe, Microsoft, SAP, HP VMware, Google, AWS, EMC, GE, IBM, NTT, Salesforce, and ServiceNow.

Pros

• Leader in IT consulting and services 
• Transparent services 

Cons

• Some customer reviews point out support issues.

Pricing

Infosys offers flexible pricing as per business variability. You can submit your service requirements or talk to experts to understand the pricing model. 

LTI: Best MSP for Advanced Cloud Solutions 

LTI is a technology solutions provider that assists enterprises in determining their business objectives by lowering their costs. The company mainly focuses on cloud, infrastructure management, cyber-resilience, and cloud automation. 

LTI’s extensive managed services include exclusive infrastructure management services, next-generation data center services, digital workplace services, cloud infrastructure, and intent-driven network services. 

Major Platforms Supported

LTI holds partnerships with several technology vendors like SAP, Maximo, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Oracle. 

Pros

• Operated globally in around 30 countries
• Can optimize the network of any size and complexity 

Cons

• Can improve pricing. 

Pricing

You can request a consultation on the official website to understand the pricing plans. 

DXC Technologies: Best MSP for End-to-End IT Services 

DXC Technologies equips multinational businesses to manage mission-critical systems as well as update their IT infrastructure, improve data architectures, and guarantee adaptability and security beyond cloud infrastructures.

The company heavily focuses on integrating the cloud, consulting, engineering, and mobility to bring change. It also focuses on all the emerging technologies like analytics, IoT, application service, blockchain, robotics, cloud and platform services, and autonomous vehicles. 

Major Platforms Supported

Some major platforms supported by DXC Technologies include Lenovo, Red Hat, AWS, Oracle, HP, PwC, IBM, SAP, Veritas, AWS, Citrix, ServiceNow, Dell EMC, NetApp, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, and many others. 

Pros

• Offers strong consulting
• Brings business transformation with innovation 

Cons

• Comparatively new in the market, not a common choice for businesses looking for established MSPs.

Pricing

As per your requirements, you can fill in the details and contact experts for pricing details. 

PwC: Best MSP for Outcome-Based Services

PwC has built a strong presence in emerging technologies like blockchain, augmented reality, and virtual reality, even though it is best recognized for its accounting and professional services.

PwC’s managed services focus on generating new services and products, fueling innovation, and developing new ideas of doing business via emerging technology, visioning and prototyping,  immersion and acceleration labs, rapid prototyping, and a few more IT and business development frameworks. The company’s key specialty involves offering its customers cybersecurity and privacy practice.

Major Platforms Supported

PwC boasts major partnerships with a lot of platforms. They include Adobe, HPE, Salesforce, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft, GE Digital, Oracle, SAP, and many more. 

Pros

• Development of new products and services and methodologies 
• Rapid prototyping

Cons

• Some clients feel that the interface can be improved.

Pricing

You need to place your query through the official PwC website to know about the pricing details. 

TCS: Best MSP for Diverse Services 

Tata Consultancy Services is a consulting-led, AI and ML-powered corporation including an integrated portfolio of business, technology, and engineering services. TCS makes its services meet complicated criteria for various business and IT requirements across industries. This covers cybersecurity, cloud integration, and cutting-edge technology like blockchain.  

TCS’s managed services deals in offering cybersecurity, contact center, and unified communications. A few more of its managed services include cyber crisis management, cloud security, security device management, intelligence, and threat advisory. 

Major Platforms Supported

TCS has major partnerships with platforms like Adobe, SAP, AWS, Cisco, SAS, HPE, IBM, Informatica, Tableau, Oracle, Siemens, and VMware. 

Pros

• Excellent customer Intelligence & Insights (CI&I) software
• Helps in IoT integration 
• Offers advanced analytics 

Cons

• As per some clients, TCS needs to work on the visual appeal of the interface.

Pricing

As per your service requirements, you can submit details on the official website and get pricing plans.

Wipro: Best MSP for Cloud Migration 

In addition to providing IT integration and management skills across the majority of key industries, Wipro deals in providing consulting and business process engineering services. It also offers services in analytics, data, AI, infrastructure services, consulting, applications, and digital operations and platforms.

Wipro’s cloud-managed services include Wipro-Dell EMC Intelligent Edge (powered by the Azure stack), Cloud Studio (migration), and Enterprise Digital Operations Center. Each of Wipro’s Cloud Managed Services provides 24×7 cost tracking, ongoing management, automated processes and workflows, and optimization recommendations. 

Major Platforms Supported

Some of the major platforms supported by Wipro include Adobe, AWS, Cisco, Dell EMC, Google, HPE, IBM, Microsoft, Red Hat, SAP, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Siemens, TIBC, VMWare, and others.

Pros

• Easy IT integration and management 
• Robust consulting and business processes 

Cons

• Some users have complained about implementation issues.

Pricing

You need to submit your business details and requirement through the official website page to get the pricing details. 

NTT Data: Best Detail-Oriented MSP

A few of NTT Data’s well-known offerings include consultancy, system development, and managed IT services. IT outsourcing, managed services, cloud architectures, and consulting. It mainly focuses on the social implications of technology.

NTT Data offers managed services for Microsoft Azure, digital transformation solutions, hybrid-infrastructure managed services, application development and modernization, Data and Intelligence solutions, Digital workspace services, and many more. 

Major Platforms Supported

Some major platforms supported by NTT Data include AWS, Microsoft, SAP, Google Cloud, and many others.

Pros

• Keeps the managed cloud services top tier and operational. 
• Offers 24*7 support

Cons

• Some clients have complained about the UI design. 

Pricing

For details about pricing plans, you can connect with the representatives through the official website by submitting your business requirements. 

Rackspace: Best MSP for Data Services

Rackspace has established itself as a leader in several sectors, including infrastructure, applications, and data. Holding experience across applications, clouds, security, and data, Rackspace offers businesses professional managed services in sectors like banking and healthcare that facilitate and expedite their digital transformation. 

Rackspace’s managed services deals in offering multi-cloud management, optimization, and migration for public and private clouds. Additionally, with Elastic Engineering, enterprises can collaborate with the cloud experts of Rackspace to develop a cloud-native infrastructure.

Major Platforms Supported

Rackspace has built key partnerships with many key technology vendors. Some of them include Google Cloud Platform, Alibaba Cloud, Oracle, AWS, Microsoft, Salesforce, and SAP.

Pros

• Excellent qualified team 
• Excellent for larger organizations 

Cons

• Some users complain about service issues.

Pricing

To get the current pricing, get in touch with experts through their official website.

Managed Services Provider: Vendor Comparison Chart

How to Choose a Managed Services Provider

There are a number of key variables that companies must consider as they select an MSP, including their skills, their level of scalability, and their SLAs.

• When choosing managed services providers, assessing your managed services needs is the first step. 
• After identifying your requirement, you can pick the top service providers who can best support your organization. 
• It is important to evaluate their skills, core competencies, and industry-level experience.
• The vendor should be able to serve scalable services per your business requirements. 
• Also, select MSPs that provide responsive Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

Bottom Line: Top Managed Services Providers

Leading companies like Accenture, IBM, TCS, Capgemini, Wipro, and Deloitte have already established themselves in the market and are top choices for businesses looking for reliable services. Other companies like DXC Technologies, Rackspace, and Atos have also emerged in the global market. 

This guide offers a panoramic view of the top managed service providers and can help you select the best MSP for your business needs. 

When it comes to the private cloud, the list of industry leaders is focused on growth. There’s an industry competition between AWS vs. Azure vs. Google, with other key players including IBM Cloud and Oracle Cloud.

For more information, also see: What is Cloud Computing 

Best Private Cloud Providers

• Private Cloud Comparison Table
  
• Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
  
• VMware
  
• Dell Technologies
• Oracle
  
• IBM / Red Hat
• Microsoft
  
• Cisco
  
• Netapp
  
• Amazon Web Services
  
• Bottom Line: Private Cloud Computing Providers
  

Top Private Cloud Providers Comparison Chart

For more information, also see: Public Cloud Computing Providers

Best Private Cloud Providers

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Best for Multiple Solutions

By most estimates, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is a key leader in the private cloud market. The company touts its ability to offer bespoke private cloud offerings, using a mix of cloud applications and infrastructure tools to fit a client’s individual needs. Companies can then use this platform as part of a hybrid or multicloud solution.

HPE’s private cloud offerings span hardware, software, and services.

Pricing

For HPE’s private cloud, HPE supports a pay-as-you-go model. For more on pricing, go to HPE’s How To Buy page.

Features

• One infrastructure for any workload can manage one infrastructure that supports current- and next-gen apps.
• Deploying at cloud-like speed and scale can accelerate application and service delivery through a single interface.
• Automate everyday operations that can help eliminate costly silos, free up resources, and simplify IT operations using a single software-defined infrastructure.
• 360-degree security gives a user the experience of an enhanced, holistic, 360-degree view of security.

Pros

• Positive initial setup.
• Helpful customer support.
• Great scalability for users.

Cons

• Can be expensive.

For more on HPE’s cloud portfolio: HPE: Cloud Portfolio Review

VMware

Best for Migration

VMware is arguably the “original” private cloud company. In the early days of the cloud, many companies simply fully virtualized their data center and called it a private cloud. In today’s cloud world, VMware is often thought of as a “bridge” between the private and public cloud worlds. 

It also offers the vRealize Suite Cloud Management Platform, which can manage both private and hybrid clouds, and Cloud Foundation, a software-defined data center platform designed for private clouds.

Pricing

There are no free trials or pay-as-you-go, but VMware does provide separate product levels. For pricing, go to the VMware Store.

Features

• Maximizes monetization opportunities with hosting partner cloud solutions.
• Offers simple cloud migration capabilities.
• Provides visibility with system monitoring, fraud, and reporting for company security.
• Increases developer productivity and eliminates downtime to provide a positive experience for users.
• Ability to create a hybrid cloud for users who want to use both public and private clouds.

Pros

• Life cycle management.
• Modernize or build new applications.
• Strong disaster recovery.

Cons

• Documentation could be better.

For more on VMware’s cloud portfolio: VMware: Cross-Cloud Review

Dell Technologies

Best for Automation

A long-term, established vendor in the private cloud market, Dell Technology’s APEX provides a turnkey developer platform that offers a broad mix of tools. Additionally, the company has an alliance with Microsoft, to offer a solution for the Azure Stack, which is a dedicated hardware solution for the private cloud. 

In a broad sense, Dell’s private cloud offerings include virtual private cloud services, cloud management, cloud security software, and an array of cloud consulting services.

Pricing

For pricing, go to Dell’s Store page. Dell offers a pricing calculator for customers to find exactly what they will pay for.

Features

• Automate and orchestrate cloud operations using intelligent lifecycle management (LCM).
• Modernize applications by deploying a Kubernetes platform to capitalize on new enterprise applications.
• Operationalize a user’s edge for workloads across multiple cloud environments.
• Gain more flexibility and support a range of workload requirements through scaling.

Pros

• Fewer vulnerabilities through the infrastructure.
• Helpful forecasting capacity.
• Strong dashboards.

Cons

• Difficult to integrate non-Dell products.

For more on Dell’s portfolio: Dell Technologies: Streaming Data Platform Review

Oracle

Best for Scalability

Oracle has been investing heavily in the cloud sector and has turned itself into a real player in the last few years. The company’s Private Cloud Appliance takes a hardware-supported approach to crunching data and workloads in a mixed environment – critically important in today’s multicloud world. 

Oracle’s Private Cloud solutions include its Cloud Platform, applications, infrastructure, lifecycle management tools, and integration services. It also offers Managed Cloud Services.

Pricing

Oracle’s pricing begins with the ability to use a free tier, ensuring that companies receive and see exactly what is needed. For pricing, go to Oracle Cloud Free Tier.

Features

• Prebuilt for quicker deployment providing integrated infrastructure, virtualization, and management speeds deployment times.
• Simple integration management by using built-in, full-stack management, and patching speeds application deployment while reducing workloads.
• Dividing portions to reduce cost using fixed VM shapes allow companies to license software on small portions of the Private Cloud Appliance. 
• Storage speed diversification with the use of Oracle ZFS Storage Appliance tightly integrated into every private cloud appliance.

Pros

• Provide centralized financial reporting.
• Helpful inventory management.
• Easy scaling up and down process.

Cons

• Complex site.

For more information: Oracle Opens Cloud Region in Chicago

IBM/Red Hat

Best for APIs

In a bold move to boost its cloud portfolio, IBM acquired open source pioneer Red Hat in 2018. Red Hat’s private cloud offerings include the Red Hat Cloud Suite management and development platform, Cloud Infrastructure software, CloudForms cloud and container management software, Red Hat Virtualization, and Red Hat Gluster Storage. Of particular note is Red Hat OpenShift, which is a flagship part of its offering that enables cloud deployments in many different ways. The company also offers a variety of services to help customers deploy and manage private and hybrid clouds.

Additionally, IBM’s private cloud solutions include hardware such as IBM Systems and IBM Storage, hosted private cloud services, IBM Cloud Managed Services, cloud security tools, and software like Cloud Manager and Cloud Orchestrator. It also has cloud solutions and services for its System z mainframe platform.

Pricing

IBM and Red Hat’s partnership allows users to use a free account with $200 credit and 50+ products on the free tier. For more pricing information, go to Red Hat OpenShift on IBM Cloud Pricing page. 

Features

• Key management is especially helpful when organizations want to go beyond the default Kubernetes encryption, managed OpenShift offers two additional layers: IBM Key Protect and IBM Hyper Protect Crypto Services.
• Vulnerability advising increases security and prevents errors because the insights provided allow admins to fix the vulnerabilities.
• Configuration offers users automatic scaling, backups, and failure recovery.

Pros

• Strong control system monitoring.
• Integrated OpenShift APIs.
• Quick system functions.

Cons

• Can be difficult to learn.

For more information on IBM: Data Science Q&A With Aakanksha Joshi of IBM

Microsoft

Best for Data Center Infrastructure

While Microsoft runs a solid number two to AWS in the cloud market overall, Microsoft is arguably the leader in the private cloud market. A large cohort of legacy, Windows-centric organizations use Microsoft components in their private cloud deployment.

Indeed, many private clouds run on Microsoft’s Windows Server operating system and its Hyper-V virtualization technology, which is integrated into Windows Server. The company is pursuing a hybrid cloud strategy, which encourages enterprises to integrate private clouds in their data centers with the company’s Azure public cloud computing service. To that end, it offers Microsoft Azure Stack, which allows companies to replicate the Azure service in their own data centers.

Pricing

Microsoft has a pay-as-you-go plan as well as a free account to start using the private cloud. For pricing, go to the Virtual Network Pricing page. 

Features

• Extends a data center to the cloud by securely connecting to a virtual network with an IPsec VPN or a private connection.
• Build sophisticated network topologies by creating an advanced overlay architecture on top of Azure resources and services.
• Manage virtual networks at scale to reduce operational overhead by centrally managing virtual network resources.
• Gain flexibility for building apps by using virtual networks to combine platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) resources.

Pros

• SD-WAN access with Azure.
• Contains BOT Services, Computer Vision services, and ML frameworks.
• Provides an end-to-end life cycle.

Cons

• Expensive for small and medium businesses.

For more on Microsoft’s portfolio: Microsoft: Azure Batch Review

Cisco

Best for Private Cloud Security

Cisco, the giant in networking, has an extensive offering of tools to increase the efficiency and capability of the private cloud. Tools, for instance, that inventory your cloud or data center-based applications. And tools that are geared for end-to-end security, focused on the enterprise’s inevitable development into a multicloud environment.

While best known for its networking hardware and solutions, Cisco also offers a variety of cloud software for analytics, infrastructure automation, cloud management, orchestration, development, and cloud security. Those offerings include its Cisco ONE Enterprise Cloud Suite, Cisco CloudCenter and the Metapod, a production-ready cloud stack that Cisco deploys and operates in enterprise data centers.

Pricing

Pricing can vary based on what elements a company wants. For pricing, go to Cisco Commerce.

Features

• On-demand infrastructure can make deployments more consistent, repeatable, and automated.
• Unified workload control drives utilization and can reduce costs on-premises or in the cloud across hypervisors and containers.
• Container management allows customers to automate whatever they need, especially repetitive tasks.
• Application performance management monitors every line of code and lets every user see every transaction, giving more visibility.

Pros

• Flexible integration.
• Scalability.
• Advanced security measures.

Cons

• Subscription payments only.

For more on Cisco: Cisco Report Shows Cybersecurity Resilience as Top of Mind

NetApp

Best for Private Cloud Storage

A strong vendor in the storage market, NetApp also touts its scalable, cloud-like deployments for private cloud, and does have a significant presence in the cloud market. Its goal is to provide a solution that enables organizations to perform at scale, efficiently and with no undue complication – “simplify and automate” is a key phrase.

NetApp’s private cloud storage offerings include NetApp Private Storage (NPS), the AltaVault Cloud-Integrated Storage backup solution that can run on public or private clouds, and StorageGRID Webscale Object Storage, which also runs in public or private clouds. It also offers NetApp Private Storage for Cloud and FlexPod converged solutions, which combine hardware from NetApp and Cisco and can be used in private cloud environments.

Pricing

For pricing, go to NetApp’s How To Buy page. It offers both contact information and trials of different products.

Features

• Unparalleled flexibility allows companies to run all their workloads on a single platform ensuring optimization and storage across the cloud.
• End-to-end automation helps speed up deployment times while it simplifies daily operations. 
• Flexible consumption minimizes the risk of a company’s investments and receives the benefits of the private cloud.
• Operational efficiency simplifies the deployment and management of a company’s infrastructure.

Pros

• Multicloud environment support.
• Visibility with dashboards.
• Ease-to-use for simple functionality.

Cons

• Reports can be complex. 

For more of NetApp’s portfolio: NetApp: Storage Portfolio Review

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Best for Admin Control

The undisputed leader in public cloud computing, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has warmed up to the private cloud offering as the other vendors on this list – and the market as a whole – have maintained a major on-prem deployment. 

AWS offers a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) service that runs on its public cloud infrastructure. VPC allows organizations to isolate their cloud instances from those of other organizations to meet security and compliance needs. VPC also gives administrators greater control over the cloud environment, and it provides the option to create a Hardware Virtual Private Network (VPN) to connect enterprise data centers with AWS.

Pricing

For pricing, go to the AWS Pricing page. They have options such as a payment calculator and what products a company might use.

Features

• IP addressing enables company resources to communicate with each other and give resources on the internet. 
• Ingress routing allows a company to route any incoming and outgoing traffic to or from the internet or a company’s private network.
• Network manager gives companies tools to help with network management, and the manager also enables companies to monitor their network.
• Security groups can be created to act as a firewall to control inbound and outbound traffic for the company.

Pros

• Scalable.
• Ease-of-use.
• Secure cloud.

Cons

• Prices can vary considerably based on context.

For more information: AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud

Bottom Line: Private Cloud Computing Providers

Now that public cloud computing is fully mainstream for businesses of all sizes, some experts forecast that private cloud will fade away. As companies offload a greater percentage of their infrastructure to the public cloud, building and maintaining a private cloud is seen as less desirable.

On the other hand, the private cloud sector remains strong. At the least, businesses need to hold some data in-house for compliance purposes, so that the private cloud will always have a place.

They’re becoming a major part of how businesses operate thanks to their accessible pricing and availability models. Cloud services range from cloud storage to computing power, and analytics and could even be utilized for software development.

According to Allied Market Research, the global cloud services market was estimated at $325.68 million in 2019 and it’s projected to reach a value of $1.62 billion by 2030.

Understanding the various providers of cloud services in the market can help you better leverage their power to help your business, whilst being cost-effective.

Top 5 Cloud Service Providers in 2023

• Amazon Web Services: Best in Cloud Computing
• Microsoft Azure: Best in Hybrid Cloud
• Google Cloud Platform: Best in Application Deployment
• IBM Cloud: Best in Cloud-based AI
• Oracle: Best in Databases

Comparing the Top Cloud Computing Companies

1. Amazon Web Services: Best in Cloud Computing

Amazon Web Services is a cloud computing platform and a subsidiary of Amazon. It’s best known for providing on-demand access to computing power, storage, database analysis, and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities in a pay-as-you-go model.

Cloud Services Offered

AWS offers a wide range of cloud-based services, such as:

• Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud
• AWS Lambda
• Amazon Simple Storage Service
• Elastic Block Store
• Amazon Virtual Private Cloud
• Amazon Route 53

Key Features of Amazon’s Cloud Computing Services

There are a number of features that make AWS solutions stand out from the competition, including:

• Scalability
• Cost-effectiveness and affordability
• Reliability
• Security
• Global reach of the services

Pricing

Thanks to a pay-as-you-go model, AWS services range in price depending on the specific service being utilized, the region, and the amount of usage.

You can expect small-scale usage to cost a few dollars per month, as Amazon sets its cloud computing prices at under $0.1 per gigabyte (GB) depending on the service. However, large-scale enterprises can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars monthly.

2. Microsoft Azure: Best in Hybrid Cloud

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and a subsidiary of Microsoft. It offers a wide range of services for both individuals and enterprises, allowing them to build, deploy, and manage applications and services in the cloud.

Cloud Services by Azure

Azure is most known for its infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and software-as-a-service (SaaS) offerings, but it also offers a number of cloud services, such as:

• Azure Kubernetes
• Azure SQL
• Azure Machine Learning
• Azure Backup
• Azure Cosmos DP
• Azure Active Directory

Key Features of Azure’s Cloud Services

Some features that Azure’s hybrid and private cloud services share include:

• Flexibility
• Analytics support
• Strong IT support
• Scalability
• Affordability
• Reliability

Pricing

Microsoft Azure’s services are on the most affordable end, with a pay-as-you-go model for cloud services that users can purchase per hour. Depending on the desired availability of resources, you can expect it to cost anywhere from $0.065 per hour to $1.41 per hour of usage.

3. Google Cloud Platform: Best in Application Deployment

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a suite of cloud computing services offered by Google. Its technical offerings range from infrastructure and platform services to computing power and database hosting.

Cloud Services by GCP

GCP offers a number of open-source and open systems suitable for both individual users and enterprises, such as:

• Google Compute Engine
• Google Kubernetes Engine
• Google Cloud Spanner
• Google Cloud Virtual Network

Key Features of GCP’s Cloud Services

There are a number of features that make GCP the best option on the market for cloud-based application deployment, including:

• Affordability
• User-friendliness
• Speed
• Advanced admin control capabilities
• Cloud-based data transfer

Pricing

For GCP’s application deployment, pricing is calculated at $15 a month per active delivery pipeline.

4. IBM Cloud: Best in Cloud-based AI

IBM has one of the most in-depth and highly developed portfolios of enterprise solutions of any provider across the tech sector. As a cloud provider, it has a global footprint offering its IaaS and PaaS solutions from data centers from all over the world.

Cloud Services by IBM Cloud

IBM’s recent focus has been on its Watson AI initiative, alongside a number of AI, machine learning, and data analytics services, all of which are interpreted within its cloud platform.

• IBM Cloud Code Engine
• IBM Hyper Protect Virtual Servers
• IBM Cloud Functions
• IBM WebSphere Application Servers
• IBM Power Systems Virtual Servers

Key Features of IBM Cloud Services

Some of IBM cloud services key features include:

• High availability
• Cloud infrastructure administration
• Open-source technology integration
• Private, public, and hybrid cloud support
• Persistent data storage

Pricing

Pricing for IBM Cloud services varies depending on the particular services and availability. However, the starting plan for the IBM Watson AI service is $140 per month, with a free version available for individual users.

5. Oracle: Best in Databases

Oracle specializes in developing and marketing computer hardware systems and enterprise-grade software products. It offers a wide range of cloud-based database solutions including its own database-as-a-service offering.

Cloud Services by Oracle

Oracle offers a wide array of cloud-based services, such as:

• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
• Oracle Big Data Cloud
• Oracle Database Cloud Service
• Oracle Autonomous Database

Key Features of Oracle Cloud

The company’s focus is its legacy strength in database and core enterprise offerings, mainly its Oracle software on the Oracle cloud. Key features included in the services include:

• Built-in database optimization
• Reliability and security
• Cost-efficiency and affordability
• High availability
• Scalability
• Flexibility

Pricing

The average pricing for Oracle databases depends on the type of database and the features required:

• Oracle Autonomous Database costs an average of $6.80 per hour.
• Oracle Database Cloud Service costs an average of $7.50 per hour.
• Oracle Big Data Cloud costs an average of $1.50 per hour.

6. VMware: Best in Virtual Machines

VMware is the leading company in cloud-based virtualization technology and services. It offers a number of cloud-based offerings, mainly in virtual machine management in a wide variety of environments.

Cloud Services by VMware

VMware offers a number of services that operate alongside the offerings of other cloud service providers, such as:

• VMware Cloud on AWS
• VMware Cloud Foundation
• VMware Cloud Director
• VMware vCloud Air

Key Features of VMware Cloud

The most prominent features found in VMware cloud offerings include:

• Automated deployment
• High availability and reliability
• Security
• Scalability

Pricing

Hosting a VMware virtual machine on a cloud environment is relatively affordable and is charged by the hour. Hosting a VMware machine on AWS cloud costs around $0.02 per hour, while hosting more resource-intensive machines on the VMware Cloud Foundation environment can cost upwards of $0.30 per hour.

7. Salesforce: Best in Customer Relationship Management

Salesforce is a leading cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform used by businesses to streamline customer interactions, sales, and marketing. It’s the leader in cloud-based CRM solutions, with over 100,000 customers.

Cloud Services by Salesforce

Salesforce has been rapidly expanding into a wider range of cloud-based enterprise software, from marketing to commerce and integration:

• Sales Cloud
• Service Cloud
• Marketing Cloud
• Commerce Cloud

Key Features of Salesforce in Cloud Services

Salesforce is continuing to evolve its Einstein AI platform, aiming to create a smart CRM assistant as an offering. Features of Salesforce services include:

• Automation capabilities
• Software personalization
• Advanced analytics
• Security
• AI-powered customer management

Pricing

The average pricing for the Salesforce Einstein AI platform is $75 per month. This pricing includes access to all of the features mentioned above as well as unlimited users and unlimited storage.

8. Alibaba: Best in Cloud Infrastructure

Alibaba is the strongest cloud leader in Asia with a growing market in the rest of the world. Recently, the company has been focusing on improving its infrastructure and cloud IaaS offerings, alongside investing in machine learning and AI.

Cloud Services by Alibaba

Alibaba Group offers a wide range of cloud computing and infrastructure services, including:

• Elastic Compute Service
• Elastic High Performance Computing
• Serverless Kubernetes
• Object Storage Service
• Data Transmissions Service

Key Features of Alibaba Cloud

Some of the key features in Alibaba’s cloud offerings are:

• High performance and computing capabilities
• Scalability
• Cost-effectiveness
• Security and reliability
• Flexibility and customizability

Pricing

With pay-as-you-go and subscription-based options, Alibaba Cloud Computing services are offered in a number of plans starting at $19.99 per month and going up to $8,000 per month for enterprises.

9. Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Best in Intelligent Edge Computing

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is a leading provider of cloud-based technology solutions, ranging from enterprise hardware and software to dedicated Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and edge computing solutions.

Cloud Services by HPE

HPE offers a number of cloud-based services that build on a foundation of flexibility and scalability, such as:

• HPE GreenLake
• IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS
• Intelligent Edge Computing
• Virtualization
• AI, ML, and Analytics

Key Features of Hewlett Packard Enterprise in Cloud

A few of the main features found in HPE’s cloud services include:

• Fast and efficient data processing
• Data access on the edge
• Built-in IoT devices communication
• Built-in monitoring and control

Pricing

HPE offers a number of payment plans and options for its cloud computing and edge computing services. They vary depending on the services and capacity included.

10. HashiCorp: Best in Cloud Infrastructure Management

HashiCorp is best known as the toolbox of the cloud, offering a variety of solutions that makes it a leader in cloud infrastructure management. Its tools are designed to help organizations better manage their cloud infrastructure more efficiently, securely, and cost-effectively.

Cloud Services by HashiCorp

HashiCorp offers a number of enterprise-grade cloud management tools, such as:

• Terraform Cloud: Infrastructure as code platform
• Vault: Security and access control management tool
• Consul: Platform connecting and configuration tool
• Nomad: Workload orchestration platform
• Vagrant: Automated environment management

Key Features of HashiCorp Cloud Services

With applications available as plug-ins to web-based tools, a few of the key features of HashiCorp’s cloud toolbox include:

• Hybrid and multicloud support
• Built-in automation and orchestration capabilities
• Secure access to cloud resources
• End-to-end encryption
• Cost-effective
• Role-based access control

Pricing

HashiCorp offers a variety of pricing plans based on the services needed and the size of an organization. Prices range from free to enterprise plans with annual fees. The average cost of HashiCorp’s cloud services is around $100 per month or $20 per user.

11. SAP: Best in Cloud Data Processing

SAP is an enterprise-grade software company that provides application and software solutions to businesses of all sizes. It’s also widely recognized in the industry of cloud data processing and the SAP/HANA database management system.

Cloud Services by SAP

SAP offers a number of cloud-based services, such as:

• SAP Cloud Platform
• SAP Analytics Cloud
• SAP Data Warehouse Cloud
• SAP SuccessFactors

Key Features of SAP in Cloud Data Processing

Some of the key features of using SAP for cloud data processing solutions include:

• High-performance capabilities
• Scalability
• Security
• Integrated big data analytics

Pricing

SAP’s cloud services are offered on a subscription basis, and prices vary depending on the service and usage. On average, businesses can expect to pay around $50–$100 per month for their cloud services.

12. Cisco Systems: Best in Networking

Cisco Systems is one of the leading manufacturers and developers of enterprise networking technology. It provides an extensive range of products and services needed to build internal networks and cloud-based solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Cloud Services by Cisco

Cisco offers a number of services and products for building and managing a network, such as:

• Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) Anywhere
• Cisco SD-WAN Cloud OnRamp
• Cisco Cloud Security
• Meraki vMX
• Cisco SD-WAN vEdge

Key Features of Cisco Cloud Networking

Key features of Cisco networking and cloud computing solutions include:

• Scalability
• Availability and reliability
• Compatibility with Cisco tools
• Security
• High speeds

Pricing

Cisco’s ACI platform is priced on a per-application or per-user basis. However, it varies greatly depending on factors such as deployment size, included features, and the requested level of support.

13. Nutanix: Best in Cloud Computing and Virtualization

Nutanix is a cloud computing and virtualization service provider that offers an array of innovative solutions to businesses globally. It offers a cloud platform clients can use for computing and virtualization, and it is a leading player in hyper-converged infrastructure.

Cloud Services by Nutanix

Nutanix offers a number of cloud computing and virtualization services, such as:

• Nutanix AHV
• Nutanix Clusters
• Nutanix Calm
• Nutanix Xi Leap
• Nutanix Xi Frame

Key Features of Nutanix in Cloud Computing

Key features of Nutanix cloud services include:

• Scalability
• High availability
• Hybrid and multicloud support
• User-friendliness
• Integrated data services

Pricing

Nutanix offers a number of pricing plans that vary per product. Some products are charged on a per user per month pace, while others require an upfront commitment payment.

14. ServiceNow: Best in IT Services and Operations Management

ServiceNow is a provider of IT services management (ITSM), IT operations management (ITOM), and IT business management (ITBM) solutions. It helps businesses of all sizes manage and monitor their third-party applications and workflows in the cloud.

Cloud Services by ServiceNow

ServiceNow offers a number of cloud-based IT services, such as:

• Software Asset Management
• ServiceNow Cloud Management
• SecOps
• Governance, Risk, and Compliance

Key Features of ServiceNow in IT Cloud Computing

A few of the key features found in ServiceNow solutions include:

• Automation
• Built-in analytics
• Security
• Self-service portal
• Multicloud support

Pricing

ServiceNow’s pricing model is subscription-based with the cost varying depending on the number of users and the type of service offered. It can vary from $500 to $2,500 per month or a $30,000 to $60,000 payment for packages.

15. Adobe: Best in SaaS

Adobe is the leading company in providing creative software solutions that are cloud-based, native, or on a SaaS basis. It mainly excels in the creative industries of graphic design, video editing, and web development.

Cloud Services by Adobe

Some notable cloud services offered by Adobe are:

• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Adobe Document Cloud
• Adobe Experience Cloud
• Adobe Marketing Cloud

Key Features of Adobe in SaaS

A few of the key features found in Adobe’s SaaS solutions include:

• Collaboration
• Personalization
• Built-in analytics
• Artificial intelligence tools
• Document management
• User-friendliness

Pricing

Adobe offers a number of monthly and annual plans for its products that vary in cost depending on the included features. However, they range from $9.99 per month to $79.99 per month.

16. Workday: Best in Cloud Project and Resource Management

Workday is a provider of some of the best cloud-based project and business resource management solutions. Its comprehensive platform allows businesses to better manage their projects, employees, resources, and finances online.

Cloud Services by Workday

Cloud-based services and SaaS offered by Workday include:

• Human Capital Management (HCM)
• Payroll Processing
• Analytics and Reporting
• Planning, Budgeting, and Forecasting
• Financial Management

Key Features of Workday in Cloud-based SaaS

Some of the key features of using Workday’s cloud-based solutions include:

• Remote access to services
• Scalability
• Integrated HCM and finance
• AI and machine learning capabilities
• Ensuring regulatory compliance

Pricing

Workday pricing varies based on a variety of factors, such as the number of users, the modules being used, and the level of support required. As a result, there is no single price for Workday that applies to all customers.

What to Look for in a Cloud Computing Company?

Cloud computing has become an essential part of the modern business landscape, providing companies with flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solutions for their IT needs. However, when searching for a cloud computing company, it is important to take into consideration the various factors that can affect the quality and reliability of the services provided.

Global reach and experience are important considerations because they’re an indication of the company’s ability to provide reliable and secure cloud services. Also, a company with a long history of success and a large client base is more likely to have the resources and experience to handle your needs.

Another key consideration is the technical support and customer service the company offers. You need to be confident you can access the help you need when you need it, whether it’s technical support, troubleshooting, or general guidance. Look for cloud computing companies that offer 24/7 customer support and have a reputation for excellent customer service.

Most importantly, the types of cloud services they offer are critical when determining whether a cloud computing and services company is the right fit for your business.

Choosing a Top Cloud Computing Company

As cloud computing services continue to play a role in the future of many industries and businesses, it’s important to understand the differences between their services and how they would best suit your own needs and requirements.

There are many excellent cloud computing companies that specialize in a different subdomain of cloud computing, supplying the solution to a different business needs.

This type of build allows companies to allocate a single infrastructure to several end users, rather than individually managing the maintenance and updates of multiple environments.

This article will help you understand how multi-tenancy works as well as its advantages and disadvantages and the various types of databases used in them.

Table of Contents

• How Multi-Tenancy Works
• Advantages of Multi-Tenancy
• Disadvantages of Multi-Tenancy
• 3 Main Types of Multi-Tenant Databases
• 3 Multi-Tenant Architecture Examples
• Choosing Between Multi-Tenant and Single-Tenant Architecture

How Multi-Tenancy Works

The term “tenant” is used to describe the group of users or applications that share access to the same hardware resources. In a multi-tenant architecture, all users share access to the same infrastructure resources that could facilitate collaborative work such as memory, network controller, and access to system resources.

It’s used often in cloud computing, enabling service providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud to offer a more affordable shared-tenancy option on the public cloud. However, it can also be utilized by software-as-a-service (SaaS) companies or companies with internal software that needs to be distributed to employees in various departments and physical locations.

Multi-tenant architecture works by utilizing virtual machines (VMs). On the same physical server, they’re able to create multiple VMs that all share the same hardware but operate as separate computers in complete independence from one another. This guarantees the user’s security and privacy, especially if the cloud environment is shared with foreign individuals and entities.

This is the opposite of single-tenancy, in which the server runs one instance of the operating system and one application. This one application could be something simple like file and print apps, complex like web or application servers, or mission-critical such as a database.

What is the Difference Between a Multi-Tenant and Single-Tenant Architecture?

Single-tenancy is largely seen as the “deluxe” option, in that a client operates in a solely dedicated environment. In a multi-tenant environment, each customer shares the software application along with a single database, so multiple people from the same company can access the database. Still, even in multi-tenancy, each tenant is isolated from other tenants.

The chief advantage of multi-tenant hosting is that it is less expensive. Resource pooling greatly reduces the cost since companies only pay for what they need. And since multi-tenancy is part of a SaaS provider, companies are not paying for on-premises hardware.

Functions like system monitoring and servicing the deployment become shared among all of the customers, which makes it less expensive as the cost is spread around.

Advantages of Multi-Tenancy

The multi-tenant model is used by numerous reputable cloud providers because it’s sought after by users and clients in a wide variety of fields. The following are a handful of multi-tenancy’s most notable advantages.

Reduced Costs

Multi-tenant cloud architecture models tend to be more cost-efficient than their single-tenant counterparts. This is because most service providers follow a pay-as-you-go pricing model, where companies don’t have to pay for the entirety of the cloud environment if they’re not occupying or using it.

The cost of a single environment is, instead, shared by all of the tenants. This not only includes the costs of the hardware but also all of the software and maintenance work going into keeping the environment running.

It’s Highly Scalable

Working with cloud service providers is highly scalable. Companies don’t need to plan the purchase and onward maintenance of an extension to their environments; they simply request a larger offering.

This also goes the other way around. If companies need to scale down operations, they’re not left with unused server space that still needs maintenance. The down-scaling process is just as easy and seamless as upscaling.

Maintenance-Free

With multi-tenancy, companies are buying into a done-for-you product that already includes all of the necessary maintenance work for its software and hardware components, ranging from software updates and patches to ensuring availability, backup, and uptime.

All of the labor needed to maintain the environment is included in the contract and shared with other tenants.

Improved Security and Privacy

While single-tenant architecture offers more advanced security and privacy capabilities, multi-tenancy is still considerably more secure than relying on other methods of sharing data and software resources among a pool of users.

The security and privacy of the data processed on the multi-tenant cloud are guaranteed and maintained by the service provider. Additionally, having everything in the same environment allows for effective threat and intruder detection and prevention, compared to spread-apart resources.

Backup and Data Restoration

Some multi-tenancy providers include a built-in data backup and recovery system that allows businesses to manage data reliably. When configuring for regular backup, it’s best to implement an option offered by service providers themselves, as they tend to be more familiar with the best way to handle data on their cloud.

Disadvantages of Multi-Tenancy

Before switching to a multi-tenant cloud offering, it’s just as important to be aware of the limitations and drawbacks of using this type of architecture. The following are a handful of multi-tenancy’s most notable disadvantages.

Lacks Customizability

Multi-tenant architecture is considered an off-the-shelf product, and since businesses will share software and hardware resources with multiple other customers, they’re limited in the changes they can implement.

This reduction in control can hinder business operations and a team’s progress online, as certain features may be missing while others are in the way.

Competing for Limited Resources

While most service providers put in their best efforts to keep the resources well-divided between various users, this isn’t always guaranteed. With multiple customers using the same system resources and computing power, companies might start suffering from “noisy neighbor” syndrome, where they can’t access the resources they need, and operations slow down.

Luckily, there are provisioning protocols that can be put in place to reduce the likelihood of this occurring. This includes load balances and elastic cloud computing.

Migration Difficulty

While multi-tenant architectures are easy to adapt, they can be hard to leave. Migrating data from a multi-tenant environment to any other type of environment can be a challenge because personal data is scattered all over the shared cloud, wherever there’s room for it.

Security and Privacy Challenges

Even with careful provisioning protocols and partitioning between the various VMs, companies are still sharing hardware with other users who aren’t authorized to access their part of the cloud. Normally, this isn’t a problem. However, malicious individuals could try to take advantage of such a vulnerability.

It could also occur unintentionally. Instances of data corruption have the possibility to spread through the entirety of the software instance. A malicious attack that was targeting other users on the shared public cloud may end up reaching a different user and their sensitive data.

Global Problems and Downtime

By outsourcing data and operations to an external cloud managed by a third-party service provider, companies risk losing access to critical data and information in the case of a technical error. Also, cloud environments are susceptible to downtime; although, it’s minimal with the top providers.

3 Main Types of Multi-Tenant Databases

In a multi-tenant environment, multiple customers share the same application, in the same operating environment, on the same hardware, and with the same storage mechanism and database.

This is how Salesforce and every other SaaS operator run. Every tenant is a customer or user who has common access and specific privileges in the software instance.

The database, however, is another matter. There are three ways to architect a database in a multi-tenant system.

1. Shared Database, Shared Schema

The simplest and most straightforward application of a multi-tenant architecture involves the sharing of multiple schemas for the same database. A schema refers to the construction of a database, and it’s usually made out of database tables that relate to one another.

The tables are used to manage the simultaneous access to the same dataset, like when two people are attempting to manipulate the same table or data entry at the same time.

This database architecture is the cheapest and easiest to manage for the host. Additionally, it’s highly scalable to accommodate more tenants.

2. Shared Database, Multiple Schemas

Sharing a single database through multiple schemas is another way to manage a multi-tenant environment. With multiple schemas inside a single database, a business can have sub-databases that can divide datasets without having to set up multiple separate databases.

Unlike shared schemas, this approach allows each schema to operate in complete isolation from the rest of the database. This is suitable for applying different rules and regulations and various datasets to respect international data management laws, for example.

This approach is, however, more costly, as each individual division of the database requires its own administrative efforts. Not to mention, the scalability of the environment is somewhat limited.

3. Multiple Databases, Multiple Schemas

The multiple database approach takes the separations of schemas and datasets a step further. Clients can have different divisions of data on completely separate databases, such as segregating for sales, customers, and employees, or dividing by region.

The host would have to install the application separately for each client on their database, which adds a layer of complexity to management, maintenance, and scalability to this type of multi-tenancy deployment as well as the costs.

On the flip side, this approach to multi-tenancy affords the clients a higher level of data isolation, improving the privacy and security of their data.

3 Multi-Tenant Architecture Examples

In utilizing virtual systems in VMs, a single system would have to handle numerous instances, all running several versions or even different operating systems. Also, each one of those instances has to run its own application along with its associated database.

When implemented into a multi-tenant architecture, all of the instances within a VM have to share the same base operating system, applications, and database access. In fact, this is the same model that’s used in infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), platform-as-a-service (PaaS), and SaaS offerings.

Since IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS rely on resource sharing, from hardware to software, they use multi-tenancy in running their environment. This also enables them to create high-scalability offers for customers.

That’s how 50 people from the same company can work on Salesforce CRM. Similarly, a SAP system is composed of a database back end and web application servers that host web services in a highly scalable manner. The web services that make up the SaaS app are exposed to different customers via different domain names. Scaling is achieved by starting more services.

The following are three examples of a multi-tenancy architecture:

1. URL-Based SaaS

URL-based SaaS, also known as web-based SaaS, is a method of delivering software service over the internet that can be accessed through a dedicated URL. This is an alternative approach to the installation of a desktop app keeping it up to date on the client’s front. This approach to SaaS is easier to do and allows for less complex software and hardware management.

Using a URL as the primary method of SaaS deployment is also easier for the host service provider, as they’d only have to manage a single domain and database. Each client would have a specific subdomain to access their part of the service, like subdomain1.maindomain.com, subdomain2.maindomain.com, and so on.

For the host, data management and security are handled at the applications level, rather than individually for each client. Many SaaS providers operate using this model, especially those that put a web app interface between the user and the primary database. Furthermore, the host can set up different Domain Name System (DNS) entries depending on the customer’s needs and how they’d like their traffic to be filtered.

The difference in URL allows the clients some level of customization. Of course, it’s limited since the architecture is still multi-tenant, but clients can implement their own local testing or even changes to the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX).

2. Multi-Tenant SaaS

In a multi-tenant SaaS structure, multiple customers are made to share the same software and hardware in order to cut costs and management efforts. Usually, this is done through the sharing of a single instance of the software along with its supporting data and information.

This approach tends to be slightly more complex for the host due to the number of databases and schemas accessed by clients, along with the restrictions they need to put in place at the database level. However, this is still how many SaaS apps operate as it often allows for more direct interaction with the database, cutting back on lag and wait times.

Another benefit to utilizing a multi-tenant approach to SaaS applications is the increase in computing capacity per customer. Also, individual customers won’t have to worry about server and processing power capacities, but simply access the system and pay according to the resources they use.

Similarly to other approaches to multi-tenancy, this reduces the customization options for customers. Dedicated upgrades tend to be time-consuming and more complex to implement without negatively affecting the rest of the environment for the remainder of the customers.

3. Virtualization-Based SaaS

Virtualization-based SaaS, also known as containerized SaaS, is the most complex SaaS setup approach.

Through virtualization, the SaaS provider would be creating an entirely separate virtual version of all resources needed to run the software service, including the servers, desktop, operating system files, storage, and network access. Those would have to co-exist on the same hardware infrastructure without interacting with or influencing one other.

When it comes to implementing a multi-tenant architecture alongside virtualization, regular interaction between the containers, applications, and databases is essential. This is what makes it incredibly complex to maintain. Such structures tend to require specialized container orchestration tools to manage the communication and influence between individual containers, like Kubernetes and Docker.

One example of a virtualized SaaS environment is Amazon Web Services, where Amazon hosts a number of platforms and software that are available to a large number of business clients and users.

This approach to SaaS allows for more customizability for each individual user. Also, scalability is instantaneous and doesn’t sacrifice the software’s capabilities or limit access to the client’s own dataset.

Choosing Between Multi-Tenant and Single-Tenant Architecture

Choosing between single- and multi-tenant often comes down to a choice of on-premises versus the cloud. For instance, there is no single-tenant version of Salesforce, and in contrast, major databases tend to be single-tenant so as to have full access to resources.

Security of data is clearly a concern, but that falls primarily on the shoulders of SaaS providers. They are the ones responsible for monitoring tenants and making sure there is no data bleed from one customer to another, and they do a good job of it.

“If the cost to the end user is acceptable regardless of model, multi-tenant versus single tenant is really just a trade-off between change control and acceptable security risk,” said Morey Haber, chief security officer at BeyondTrust and member of the Forbes Technology Council. “If you always want to be on the latest version, either model is acceptable. You just have to manage the change control yourself.”

The client’s primary responsibility for securing the data falls to the client’s device. All of the major SaaS providers do offer two-factor authentication to secure logins. After that, it’s up to the client to maintain the security of the endpoint device.

Multi-tenancy is at the heart of cloud computing. It is designed to help scale up thousands of users both within an enterprise and externally as companies interact and do business. Whether it’s a Salesforce account or an app the company built on AWS for customers, multi-tenancy can scale through public and private cloud and provide true economies of scale.

Implementing a Multi-Tenant Architecture

Multi-tenant architecture is an approach to data structuring, usually in a cloud environment, that allows multiple users to access and share the software and hardware resources of the environment. This is done with complete separation between individual customer entities to ensure the privacy and security of their data.

It’s more cost-efficient for both the service host and the customer. It’s also highly scalable and guarantees access to the latest version of the software and hardware of the service. However, it offers fewer customization opportunities, and the resources may be put under strain if not managed properly by the host.

Choosing between a multi-tenant and a single-tenant architecture depends on numerous factors, ranging from cost and privacy and security needs to availability and the type of service in use.

The competition for leadership in public cloud computing is a fierce three-way race: Amazon Web Services (AWS) versus Microsoft Azure versus Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Clearly these three top cloud companies hold a commanding lead in the infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) markets.

AWS is particularly dominant in the market. AWS’s cloud software holds a market share of 33%, Microsoft Azure has a market share of 21%, and Google Cloud has a market share of 11%, according to Statista.

Table of Contents:

• AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud at a Glance
• Best for Pricing: Google Cloud
• Best for Cloud Services Portfolio: Google Cloud
• Best for Compute: AWS
• Best for Storage: Microsoft Azure
• Best for Networking: Microsoft Azure
• Best for Reliability: AWS
• Best for Availability: AWS
• Bottom Line: AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud

AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud at a Glance

Amazon Web Services

AWS has a huge and growing array of available services as well as the most comprehensive network of worldwide data centers. With a vast tool set that continues to grow exponentially, Amazon’s capabilities are unmatched. AWS has a focus on public cloud.

You can’t go wrong with AWS, due to its rich collection of tools and services and massive scale. At its size, it’s hard for Amazon to have a close relationship with every customer, but there are managed services providers that can offer that type of attentive focus.

Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure is a close competitor to AWS with an exceptionally capable cloud infrastructure. Azure knows you still run a data center, and the Azure platform works hard to interoperate with data centers; hybrid cloud is a true strength. Azure’s deep focus on the hybrid cloud will help you bridge the legacy data center environment with the rapidly scalable and feature-rich Microsoft cloud.

A big reason for Azure’s success: so many enterprises deploy Windows and other Microsoft software. Because Azure is tightly integrated with these other applications, enterprises that use a lot of Microsoft software often find that it makes sense for them to use Azure.

See more: Microsoft: Azure Batch Review

Google Cloud

Google’s technical expertise is profound, and its industry-leading tools in deep learning and artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics are significant advantages. Google Cloud is fully committed and has plowed billions into its cloud efforts. Google has built its cloud on its strength, which is scale and machine learning.

Google developed the Kubernetes standard that AWS and Azure now offer. Google Cloud Platform specializes in high compute offerings like big data, analytics, and machine learning. It also offers considerable scale and load balancing—Google knows data centers and fast response times.

See more: Google Cloud: Vertex AI Review

Best for Pricing: Google Cloud

Understanding pricing among these three cloud leaders is challenging, and pricing changes; it can change based on the specific arrangement that a customer wrangles from their service rep. Look below for typical pricing engagements with each provider.

AWS Pricing

Amazon’s pricing is particularly inscrutable. While it does offer a cost calculator, the many variables involved make it difficult to get accurate estimates. Gartner advised, “[Amazon’s] granular pricing structure is complex; use of third-party cost management tools is highly recommended.”

Azure Pricing

Microsoft Azure doesn’t make things any simpler. Because of Microsoft’s complicated software licensing options and use of situation-based discounts, its pricing structure can be difficult to understand without outside help and/or considerable experience.

Google Pricing

By contrast, Google uses its pricing as a point of differentiation. It aims to offer “customer-friendly” prices that beat the list prices of the other providers. Gartner noted, “Google uses deep discounts and exceptionally flexible contracts to try to win projects from customers that are currently spending significant sums of money with cloud competitors.”

Best for Cloud Services Portfolio: Google Cloud

When looking into any cloud company, it is important to note what your company needs and wants to get the most out of their cloud technology. While some companies have limited options, AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud offer tools to help with any needs.

AWS Cloud Service Portfolio

Out of the three options, AWS has the least tools in its portfolio. However, AWS’s cloud service portfolio covers many different industries and needs for its customers. With AWS being one of the strongest cloud services, its tools are a great option for businesses. AWS notes unique products from its customers.

Elastic Compute Cloud

Amazon’s flagship compute service is Elastic Compute Cloud, or EC2. Amazon describes EC2 as “a web service that provides secure, resizable compute capacity in the cloud.”

EC2 offers a wide variety of options, including a huge assortment of instances, support for both Windows and Linux, bare metal instances, graphics processing unit (GPU) instances, high-performance computing, auto-scaling, and more. AWS also offers a free tier for EC2 that includes 750 hours per month for up to twelve months.

Container Services

Within the compute category, Amazon’s various container services are increasing in popularity, and it has options that support Docker, Kubernetes, and its own Fargate service that automates server and cluster management when using containers. It also offers a virtual private cloud option known as Lightsail, Batch for batch computing jobs, Elastic Beanstalk for running and scaling web applications as well as a few other services.

See more: Yahoo Selects AWS Public Cloud for Ad Division

Microsoft Azure Cloud Service Portfolio

Microsoft Azure has 18 separate categories for cloud tools to help a business. Between developer and mobile tools, Microsoft Azure’s cloud portfolio offers many options based on a company’s wants and needs.

Virtual Machines

Microsoft Azure’s primary cloud-based compute service is known as Virtual Machines. It boasts support for Linux, Windows Server, SQL Server, Oracle, IBM, and SAP as well as enhanced security, hybrid cloud capabilities, and integrated support for Microsoft software.

Like AWS, Virtual Machines has a large catalog of available instances, including GPU and high-performance computing options, as well as instances optimized for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. It also has a free tier with 750 hours per month of Windows or Linux B1S virtual machines for a year.

Additional Services

Azure’s version of auto-scaling is known as Virtual Machine Scale Sets. Azure has two container services: Azure Container Service is based on Kubernetes, and Container Services uses Docker Hub and Azure Container Registry for management.

It has a Batch service, and Cloud Services for scalable web applications is similar to AWS Elastic Beanstalk. It also has a unique offering called Service Fabric that is specifically designed for applications with microservices architecture.

Google Cloud Service Portfolio

From computing to media, Google Cloud has an extensive amount of tools in its portfolio. With 19 separate categories of cloud software, Google Cloud is likely to be the best portfolio of the three.

Compute Engine

By comparison, Google’s catalog of compute services is somewhat smaller than its competitors. Its primary service is called Compute Engine, which boasts both custom and predefined machine types, per-second billing, Linux and Windows support, automatic discounts, and carbon-neutral infrastructure that uses half the energy of typical data centers. It offers a free tier that includes one f1-micro instance per month for up to 12 months.

Focus on Kubernetes

Like all of the leading cloud vendors, it’s well-set up to offer containers and microservices. Google offers the Kubernetes Engine for organizations interested in deploying containers. And it’s worth noting that Google has been heavily involved in the Kubernetes project, giving it deep expertise in this area.

Best for Compute: AWS

AWS Compute

Elastic Compute Cloud

Amazon’s flagship compute service is Elastic Compute Cloud, or EC2. Amazon describes EC2 as “a web service that provides secure, resizable compute capacity in the cloud.” EC2 offers a wide variety of options, including a huge assortment of instances, support for both Windows and Linux, bare metal instances, GPU instances, high-performance computing, auto-scaling, and more.

Container Services

Within the compute category, Amazon’s various container services are increasing in popularity, and it has options that support Docker, Kubernetes, and its own Fargate service that automates server and cluster management when using containers. It offers a virtual private cloud option known as Lightsail, Batch for batch computing jobs, Elastic Beanstalk for running and scaling web applications.

Microsoft Compute

Virtual Machines

Microsoft Azure’s primary cloud-based compute service is known as Virtual Machines. It boasts support for Linux, Windows Server, SQL Server, Oracle, IBM, and SAP as well as enhanced security, hybrid cloud capabilities, and integrated support for Microsoft software.

Like AWS, it has an extremely large catalog of available instances, including GPU and high-performance computing options, as well as instances optimized for artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Additional Services

Azure’s version of auto-scaling is known as Virtual Machine Scale Sets. Azure has two container services: Azure Container Service is based on Kubernetes, and Container Services uses Docker Hub and Azure Container Registry for management.

It has a Batch service, and Cloud Services for scalable web applications is similar to AWS Elastic Beanstalk. It has a unique offering called Service Fabric that is specifically designed for applications with microservices architecture.

Google Compute

Compute Engine

By comparison, Google’s catalog of compute services is somewhat smaller than its competitors. Its primary service is called Compute Engine, which boasts both custom and predefined machine types, per-second billing, Linux and Windows support, automatic discounts, and carbon-neutral infrastructure that uses half the energy of typical data centers.

Focus on Kubernetes

Like all of the leading cloud vendors, it’s well-set up to offer containers and microservices. Google offers the Kubernetes Engine for organizations interested in deploying containers. And it’s worth noting that Google has been heavily involved in the Kubernetes project, giving it deep expertise in this area.

Best for Storage: Microsoft Azure

AWS Storage

SSS to EFS

AWS’s storage services include its Simple Storage Service (S3) for object storage, Elastic Block Storage (EBS) for persistent block storage (for use with EC2), and Elastic File System (EFS) for file storage.

Some of its more innovative storage products include the Storage Gateway, which enables a hybrid storage environment, and Snowball, which is a physical hardware device that organizations can use to transfer petabytes of data in situations where internet transfer isn’t practical.

Database and Archiving

Amazon has a SQL-compatible database called Aurora, Relational Database Service (RDS), DynamoDB NoSQL database, ElastiCache in-memory data store, Redshift data warehouse, Neptune graph database, and a Database Migration Service.

Amazon offers Glacier, which is designed for long-term archival storage at low rates. In addition, its Storage Gateway can be used to easily set up backup and archive processes.

Azure Storage

Storage Services

Microsoft Azure’s basic storage services include Blob Storage for REST-based object storage of unstructured data, Queue Storage for large-volume workloads, File Storage, and Disk Storage. It also has a Data Lake Store, which is useful for big data applications.

Extensive Database

Azure’s database options are particularly extensive. It has three SQL-based options: SQL Database, Database for MySQL, and Database for PostgreSQL. It also has a Data Warehouse service as well as Cosmos DB and Table Storage for NoSQL.

Redis Cache is its in-memory service, and the Server Stretch Database is its hybrid storage service, designed specifically for organizations that use Microsoft SQL Server in their own data centers.

Unlike AWS, Microsoft does offer an actual Backup service as well as Site Recovery service and Archive Storage.

Google Storage

Unified Storage and More

GCP has a growing menu of storage services available. Cloud Storage is its unified object storage service, and it has a Persistent Disk option. In addition, it offers a Transfer Appliance, similar to AWS Snowball, and has online transfer services.

SQL and NoSQL

When it comes to databases, GCP has the SQL-based Cloud SQL and a relational database called Cloud Spanner that is designed for mission-critical workloads. It has two NoSQL options: Cloud Bigtable and Cloud Datastore. It does not have backup and archive services.

Best for Networking: Microsoft Azure

Cloud networking is an IT infrastructure where most or all of a company’s network abilities and data are in a public or private cloud platform, managed by the provider or company employees that are available on demand.

AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud offer different network capabilities for their customers. While Microsoft Azure is the top provider in networking, AWS and Google Cloud offer valuable tools.

AWS Networking

AWS networking has a broad and deep set of networking and content delivery services in the world with AWS. A company can run applications with reliability, security, and performance in the cloud.

AWS offers a simple networking process to improve a company’s infrastructure with application networking. They offer increased security for their edge networking platform and offer customizable options for the network.

Microsoft Azure Networking

Microsoft Azure networking offers the ability to connect and deliver hybrid and cloud-native applications. From connecting to virtual machines and VPN connections, Azuree is the top cloud provider within networking.

Azure is customizable from security to traffic ensuring the network from inbound to outbound connections, native firewalls, network firewalls, and delivery of 5G networks give the company exactly what they need. Connecting to customers, traffic, and other sites are all connected within a unified portal, something the other cloud tools do not provide.

Google Cloud Networking

Google Cloud offers a broad portfolio of networking services that leverages automation, AI, and programs for companies to enable businesses to connect, scale, secure, modernize, and optimize their infrastructure.

There are many products in Google’s portfolio for networking that offer more uptime, fewer disruptions, and virtual private cloud (VPC) networks. Using Google Cloud allows businesses to access Google APIs and services to keep track of a company’s network.

Best for Reliability: AWS

When it comes to cloud computing and storage, a company needs a reliable business to keep their business running. While AWS is ranked as the most reliable, there are other traits from Azure or Google cloud that fits their business model.

AWS Reliability

• Automatically Recover From Downtime: AWS key performance indicators (KPIs) should be a measure of business value, allowing for automatic notification and tracking of vulnerabilities and for automated recovery processes that work around or repair the failure.
• Test Recovery Procedures: In the cloud, a company can test how their workload fails, and a company can validate recovery procedures. Using AWS automation can simulate different vulnerabilities or to recreate problems that have caused failures before.
• Scale to Increase Aggregate Workload Availability: A company can replace one large resource with multiple small resources to reduce the impact of a vulnerability on the overall workload.
• Manage Change in Automation: AWS cloud changes to a company’s infrastructure are made using automation. The changes cause changes to the automation, which then can be tracked and reviewed.

Microsoft Azure Reliability

• Network Reliability Through Azure Software: Microsoft network connects more than 60 Azure regions, 200 Azure data centers, and over 175,000 miles of terrestrial and subsea fiber worldwide connecting to the internet at global edge points of presence.
• Safe Deployment With AIOps: AI and machine learning are used to help engineers monitor the deployment process at scale, detect issues early, and make rollout or rollback decisions based on impact scope and severity.
• Resiliency Threat Modeling for Large Distributed Systems: Azure engineering teams use multiple tools to understand what went wrong, how it went wrong, and the customer impact of outages.
• Low- and No-Impact Maintenance: The low- and no-impact update technologies include hot patching, memory-preserving maintenance, and live migration to maintain its infrastructure with little or no customer impact or downtime.

Google Cloud Reliability

• Google Cloud Outages: Google Cloud is transparent about service availability and providing a near real-time report on current service status across the continents.
• Robust Security: Their security stance is part of its GCP offering to ensure companies are kept safe from vulnerabilities and that networks remain secure and encrypted.
• Automation to Avoid User Error: The cloud provides high levels of automation and capabilities for ML elements that can save an organization time and reduce the need for human input.
• Uses Hybrid and Multicloud Setups: Google Cloud embraces the need for collaboration, allowing users to run apps and access data across any cloud environment.

Best for Availability: AWS

Depending on where your international operations are located and what localized regulations you need to follow, one of these top clouds may be optimal for your business model:

• AWS Availability Zones: North America (24), South America (three), Europe (24), Middle East (six), Africa (three), Asia Pacific (32), and Australia (six).
• Azure Availability Zones: Brazil (three), Canada (three), Chile, Mexico, United States (18), Azure Government (three), Asia Pacific (six), and Australia (three).
• Google Availability Zones: Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.

Availability zones are growing as cloud services have grown. From North America to Australia, these companies are growing everyday.

Bottom Line: AWS vs. Azure vs. Google Cloud

Certain types of companies will be more attracted to certain cloud vendors. So if your firm runs Windows and a lot of Microsoft software, you’ll probably want to investigate Azure. If you are a small, web-based startup looking to scale quickly, you might want to take a good look at Google Cloud Platform. And if you are looking for the provider with the broadest catalog of services and worldwide reach, AWS will probably be right for you.

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