Cloud computing is a booming tech industry right now. By 2023, the global Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) industry will be worth $148 billion USD, while estimates say the public cloud market will surpass $500 billion USD.

Cloud jobs in the UK are also growing fast so we think now is a great time to start learning about the leading cloud service providers. There are 3 major players we think every cloud professional should be aware of:

• Microsoft Azure
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Earning certification on one or more of these platforms can qualify you for a job as a cloud architect or engineer. But how do you decide which one is right for you?

We think looking at job listings near you is a great place to start. This can give you an idea of what companies are actively looking for in candidates. You’ll likely find that AWS cloud engineers are the most sought-after, followed by Azure, then Google.

Some companies want experts with both AWS and Azure skills under their belt. If you’re interested in machine learning or big data, you should look into GCP. However, any certification you may choose should depend on your interests and job goals.

In this post, we’ll be sharing some of our insights on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. We hope the information will help you decide on which platform best suits your interests and needs.

What is AWS?

AWS is Amazon’s cloud platform. It began in 2006, making it one of the first major cloud providers. Today, it’s the world’s most widely available cloud platform with 38 data centers around the globe.

The pay-as-you-go model lets users adopt any of the platform’s 200 services as they need for their business. This makes AWS one of the most agile and cost-effective public cloud options.

AWS products are grouped into seven distinct categories:

• Computing
• Storage
• Database management
• Networking and content delivery
• Analytics
• Machine learning
• Security, identity, and compliance

There are 11 types of AWS certification available. The majority require no programming skills, so you can start a career in cloud computing even without knowing how to code.

If you decide to delve into development later, there are specific certifications that verify you as an AWS programming expert.

Companies love AWS because it highly adaptable. Data collection through Amazon features are seamless, and there are organization options built into the platform that make analytics easier.

AWS management tools allow cloud professionals to easily monitor and maintain their infrastructures. Because it’s easy to do everything from the platform, AWS has become a leading cloud solution in businesses all around the world.

If you’re completely new to cloud computing, learning AWS may be a good place to start. Its widespread integration makes it an excellent cloud certification for career changers as well.

To learn more, check out our article, AWS: 10 Tips to Get Started.

What is Microsoft Azure?

Azure is Microsoft’s answer to public cloud computing. It specialises in the hybrid cloud model, which combines public and private cloud strategies into one platform.

When it comes to Azure vs. AWS, the biggest difference lies in price. Azure is five times less expensive than Amazon Web Services, which no doubt motivates many clients to choose it as their cloud provider.

However, while their pricing models set them apart substantially, there are other notable differences between Azure vs. AWS:

• AWS and Azure support hybrid cloud, but Azure is more hybrid-cloud-friendly.
• AWS is known for having better DevOps support, whereas Azure has a greater awareness of enterprise needs.
• AWS is easier to run on non-Windows operating systems.
• Azure has 140 availability zones; AWS has 61.

Choosing AWS or Azure will come down to a company’s preference. Budget and cloud infrastructure may play significant roles in decisioning.

The cloud engineer or architect will ultimately determine which platform best suits their needs.

However, in many cases, you’ll be hired to handle the infrastructure after a company has already adopted a cloud provider. This means you may not have a say in whether they use Azure or AWS — you’ll just need to provide the best support and management for their cloud computing.

What is Google Cloud?

Google Cloud Platform (GCP) is a newcomer to the cloud scene, first launching in 2019. Although it’s still in its infancy, it now has 103 availability zones across 35 geographic regions. Google hosts its physical machines in clusters, each one having its own unique software, network, and security.

Similar to Azure, Google was designed with customer-friendly pricing models as the center of its business model. So, it is also far more affordable on average than AWS. Lower rates accompany a user-friendly interface as the designers stated they wanted to make Google Cloud the most accessible platform on the market.

Currently, database-as-a-service and IaaS are Google Cloud’s top offerings. In Q4 of 2021, their revenue jumped 45%, and customer spending more than doubled. Google CEO Sundar Pichai said that the number of active certifications in the platform doubled in a year as well.9

It’s safe to say that Google Cloud is doing well, but what makes it stand out from Azure or AWS?

• Google Cloud has the greatest global availability out of all three platforms.
• It has the an average of 99.9% uptime.
• It was the first cloud platform to offer live migration of virtual machines.
• Google Cloud users get free uptime monitoring.
• Google Cloud virtual machines have an output 3x greater than AWS or Azure.
• Where throughput is concerned, Google Cloud Platform is reported to come out on top of the three.

So, which really is better?

Each platform has its strength, including its load balancing, computer engineering, and number of data centers. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are well-respected for a reason; they all have benefits and make excellent cloud service providers.

From a professional standpoint, we suggest seeing what consumers are after. For example, if the majority of companies in your area (or where you’re wanting to work) run on AWS, then an AWS certification could be the best fit for you.

However, if you want to specialise in Azure or Google Cloud, there are likely to be programmes for that as well. You can shape your career in cloud computing however you like.

How do I get started in cloud computing?

We believe choosing a platform and working toward certification is a great place to start. Understanding the fundamentals of cloud computing and networking is important, too. While some certificate programmes cover these, others may only focus on the platform. Ultimately, it’s important to do your own research and pick a path that suits your interests and goals.

At Knoma, we partner with industry-leading schools to bring you some of the best digital courses you can get your hands on. Our Cloud Computing category is jam-packed with courses that can take you from zero to hero in your cloud career.

Your future is waiting

We’re here to support you on your learning journey, no matter where your career takes you. Feel free to reach out to Knoma anytime you have questions. Whether you want to know more about a particular course or an industry in general, we’re here to help.

Explore Knoma’s Marketplace now to find the right course to kickstart your cloud career.

Important

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