The advantages of cloud computing and IaaS (infrastructure as a service) are relatively clear-cut: It offers flexibility, the connection of the remote team to the physical office, and the ability to pay only for what you use.

Companies’ most significant concern is choosing which platform to weave into their current networks. Even if you’ve spent time researching the three leading cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, and Google Cloud Platform), you might still be uncertain about the best fit for your business needs.

At OceanCyber, we have experience working with every cloud platform on the market. We’ve assisted large and small businesses with cloud choice and integration tailor-made to their organization. If you already know which cloud service you intend to use and are looking for a cloud specialist to help you with migration, get in touch with us.

But if you are still trying to decide, we’re here to help. We’ve broken down the features, pros, and cons of Azure, AWS, and Google Cloud.

These three platforms have the same core functionality, but each is suited for different business challenges and needs.

Microsoft Azure

You should choose Azure if:

• You already use Microsoft 365
• You’ve made security a high priority for your firm
• You’re a small-medium business trying to move to a cloud/hybrid setup with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Azure Active Directory, and Windows Virtual Desktop.

Microsoft Azure combines IaaS and PaaS, so businesses don’t have to seek out two platforms, making it a popular option for companies searching for a cloud to integrate their services deeply. In addition, Azure has applications for AI and machine learning, DevOps, Integrations, and more.

At least 90% of Fortune 500 companies worldwide use Azure, but should you? In our experience leveraging Azure for our clients, here are our observations:

Why Azure Might Be Right for Your Business

Businesses currently growing and want to scale their cloud platform as they grow without extra work should invest in Azure. Azure assists with creating apps that can continue to run perfectly with 5 or 5 million users. On top of that, companies who anticipate using a hybrid cloud model should opt for Azure.

Out of the big three, Azure offers the best hybrid capabilities and can connect your on-premises database and public cloud efficiently and consistently.

• Azure is also the best option for companies looking for a platform that integrates analytics into the cloud. Microsoft takes its cloud service further by offering BaaS (Backend-as-a-Service), machine learning, bots, and cognitive APIs.
• Microsoft has an excellent reputation in tech, and its cloud platform is no different. Azure offers the widest variety of compliance certifications and a high level of cloud-wide security with programs such as the Security Center, Azure Information Protection, and Azure Sentinel. Azure Elasticity assists in scaling cloud resources to save your business time and money.
• The cloud platform won’t break the bank, either. Microsoft offers a pay-as-you-go model for Azure users. It’s also an excellent alternative for businesses already familiar with Microsoft applications or who don’t know every little detail about technology.
  
  

Why Azure Might Be Wrong for Your Business

Microsoft doesn’t offer much customer service for its products, including Azure. You’ll need to look into purchasing a technical support plan for Azure, ranging from $29-1000.

The other major complaint from Azure users is random outages that leave businesses without access to their servers. But, again, depending on the pace of your business needs, this may be a deal-breaker.

Amazon Web Services

You should choose AWS if:

• You need a system that caters to developers
• You’re a startup or a smaller firm
• If you need to create solutions quickly and cost-effectively
• You need an innovative and cutting-edge platform

Established in 2002, Amazon Web Services is the oldest provider in the cloud market. AWS gained recognition as the most user-friendly platform in 2018 and ranked the best in its completeness and ability to execute its vision against its competitors.

AWS is mobile-friendly and allows you to develop and optimize mobile applications. In addition, AWS provides managed services for your infrastructure, opening the door for you to give attention to other business tasks. Moreover, with AWS, integration with other database services such as Oracle, MySQL, and DynamoDB is easy.

Why AWS Might Be Right for Your Business

• AWS has been around the longest, allowing it to fine-tune its offering to solve most businesses’ challenging issues. For example, AWS’s efficient recovery system protects companies from losing data in a crash.
• Global enterprises should lean toward AWS simply because the platform allows the most significant reach. Regardless of where your business goes, AWS is right there with you. In addition, AWS’s vast range of options makes it extremely popular among tech and software companies.
• AWS is among the most versatile cloud systems on the market and is fully customizable to your company. As a result, AWS is an excellent option for businesses looking to convert to a cloud-only system.

Why AWS Might Be Wrong for Your Business

The most significant disadvantage of AWS is its inability to work well with a hybrid cloud setup. According to previous customers, numerous hoops to jump through to get AWS working in tandem with your on-premises platform.

Google Cloud Platform

You should choose Google Cloud if:

• Do you want an open-source platform
• You want the flexibility to integrate with AI
• Do you want to use machine learning technologies
• You want a platform geared toward the education sector
• You have data-driven clients
• You’re a startup or an individual

Google Cloud Platform was designed to allow companies to build and publish applications easily. This solution has steadily gained traction over the last few years and is an excellent option for companies using Google services. Google’s public cloud technology fully integrates with your workspace to give you a seamless business experience.

Google Cloud offers insights with add-ons such as Bigtable, Dremel, and MapReduce, making it easier for you to process and analyze large amounts of data.

Why the Google Cloud Platform Might Be Right for Your Business

• Google Cloud is an excellent option for young companies because the platform is still growing. Google’s platform is still learning to enhance user experience, and the designers do everything possible to make using the system feel like second nature. Google Cloud also gives the lowest costs out of the big three cloud platforms.
• Platform users also have access to an extensive library of Google guides on completing easy and complex tasks. It’s a fantastic option for those still learning to take advantage of the technical side of the business.
• Google’s security is unparalleled, and the cloud system meets various compliance requirements.
• Google Cloud offers the Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) as a hosted staging environment for in-cloud app development. If your business needs to make detailed apps that myriad users can use, the GKE automates, deploys, and runs your programs.
• Suppose your business makes a conscious effort to be environmentally friendly. In that case, Google Cloud is your best option because it runs on half the energy of its rivals and uses renewable energy when possible.

Why the Google Cloud Platform Might Be Wrong for Your Business

Google Cloud Platform has the smallest number of features, so it’s crucial to ensure that it has the features you want before committing to it. Additionally, it’s still finding its footing when dealing with the enterprise market, so your brand may require an established cloud system.

Other Cloud Platforms

There are a few options to consider if you’re not somewhat ready to migrate to a central cloud platform due to your current budget or scale. Oracle, Alibaba Cloud, IBM, and Tencent Cloud are smaller-scale options for your company’s initial cloud conversion.

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), for example, is a significant contender for companies with on-premises systems who want to move servers to the cloud and set up a remote workspace for staff to access from anywhere securely. Even though OCI isn’t one of the big three, it is among the most regularly used platforms by OceanCyber’s clients. Small companies to booming enterprises take advantage of OCI’s system.