Evaluate

Evaluate

Weigh the pros and cons of technologies, products and projects you are considering.

• Break down the Amazon EKS pricing model

  There are several important variables within the Amazon EKS pricing model. Dig into the numbers to ensure you deploy the service in the most cost-effective way. Continue Reading

• Compare EKS vs. self-managed Kubernetes on AWS

  AWS users face a choice when deploying Kubernetes: run it themselves on EC2 or let Amazon do the heavy lifting with EKS. See which approach best fits your organization's needs. Continue Reading

• Here's why Amazon's global expansion won't come easy

  Amazon would like to strengthen its global footprint, but the e-commerce giant faces roadblocks and challenges today that did not exist in the company's formative years. Continue Reading

• How Amazon became a force in SMB lending

  Amazon has upped its game with small business lending and credit options for its top merchants, showing more willingness to partner with financial services' biggest names. Continue Reading

• Is construction Amazon's next target for disruption?

  Amazon has already made inroads into the construction industry and experts speculate that there will be more to come. Construction companies, among the digital laggards, must adapt to the digital era to survive. Continue Reading

• Amazon's impact on publishing transforms the book industry

  Amazon changed the way we publish, purchase and read books. Publishing experts said they expect more industry disruption to come.Continue Reading

• How Amazon and COVID-19 influence 2020 seasonal hiring trends

  Retail and logistics companies must adapt their hiring strategies to compete with Amazon and respond to the pandemic's effect on shopping habits.Continue Reading

• Amazon's sustainability initiatives: Half empty or half full?

  Amazon's public perception and investment profile are at stake as altruism and self-interest mix in its efforts to become a more sustainable company.Continue Reading

• AWS ARM-based chips could shift microprocessor market

  Amazon confronts cloud rivals with microprocessor designs. AWS ARM-based A1 instances offer high processing for lower costs and improved utilization.Continue Reading

• Amazon grocery strategy could shake up food retail industry

  Amazon is a small player in the grocery store industry but one with increasing influence. It already has considerable technical innovations under its belt that have forced competitors to respond.Continue Reading

• Amazon's environmental impact delivers climate change concerns

  Consumers are accustomed to free and fast delivery from Amazon and other e-tailers, but the convenience of online shopping comes at a cost to the environment.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS CDK vs. CloudFormation, and the state of IaC on AWS

  Infrastructure as code has become an essential part of the cloud development process. Learn how the AWS CDK addresses the weaknesses of CloudFormation and improves automation on AWS.Continue Reading

• AWS monitoring best practices extend beyond CloudWatch

  AWS users can choose from a range of native tools to monitor their environments -- but, ultimately, a combination of these services will produce the best results.Continue Reading

• AWS security groups vs. network ACLs and other AWS firewalls

  Protect your AWS cloud environment with these Amazon firewall services. Learn how security groups and network ACLs work, along with other key AWS firewall options.Continue Reading

• Use EventBridge to unlock AWS event-driven architecture

  Amazon EventBridge improves serverless capabilities on AWS. Learn the differences between EventBridge and CloudWatch Events and how to get the most out of event-driven applications.Continue Reading

• Break down CloudFormation vs. Terraform for AWS deployments

  CloudFormation is AWS' native infrastructure-as-code tool but many devs -- especially those working in multi-cloud environments -- prefer Terraform. Learn the differences between the two.Continue Reading

• AWS data lake and data warehouse options for the cloud

  Get ready for data analytics in the cloud. Learn the best ways to handle your data on AWS. Distinguish between data lakes and data warehouse services on AWS and how they work.Continue Reading

• Amazon SNS vs. other push notification services

  It can be difficult for developers to enable push notifications across platforms. These messaging services from AWS, Google and Microsoft meet that need but have different strengths.Continue Reading

• Compare CloudWatch vs. Datadog and New Relic for AWS monitoring

  Amazon CloudWatch continues to be a go-to monitoring tool for AWS resources, but hybrid cloud users can benefit from third-party options, such as Datadog and New Relic.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS CodePipeline vs. Jenkins for CI/CD

  Jenkins has more than a thousand third-party integrations, whereas AWS CodePipeline ties you closer to Amazon's cloud. Compare Jenkins and CodePipeline for cost, usability and versatility.Continue Reading

• Evaluate AWS Glue vs. Data Pipeline for cloud-native ETL

  There's more than one ETL option for AWS-hosted apps. Choose between Glue's managed service, Data Pipeline's range of supported data sources and Batch's asynchronous operations.Continue Reading

• When to use AWS OpsWorks vs. CloudFormation or Elastic Beanstalk

  There are multiple ways to define and deploy resources on AWS. Break down when to use the different AWS configuration management tools and how they integrate together.Continue Reading

• Review latest investments to AWS' machine learning platform

  Improved deep learning capabilities lead this machine learning roundup. Learn how AWS is targeting both machine-learning-savvy developers and data scientists.Continue Reading

• Unlock hybrid cloud with this AWS Transit Gateway integration

  AWS Direct Connect should be a much more attractive service for enterprises due to some recent changes. See how these upgrades can simplify your hybrid architecture.Continue Reading

• How to use batch operations to process S3 objects

  AWS ops pros can use Amazon S3 Batch Operations to process and move high volumes of objects between buckets. Find out how Batch Operations on AWS works with this video tutorial.Continue Reading

• Know the performance hang-ups of AWS' IaC tool

  AWS customers and industry experts have reported a range of CloudFormation concerns. Take a closer look at the issues surrounding the native IaC tool and AWS' response to frustrations.Continue Reading

• AWS Lambda alternatives for flexible cloud workloads

  Experts share points of comparison for Lambda vs. the competition, and what other options AWS has for elastic computing without the serverless hassle.Continue Reading

• What you need to know about Cloudera vs. AWS for big data

  Enterprises in need of a big data platform must run some analytics of their own to choose a vendor. AWS' integration between services can't be beat, but is Cloudera a better choice?Continue Reading

• Cloud experts weigh in on AWS container capabilities

  Learn where AWS container services stand today: what limitations AWS needs to improve upon and where Amazon's container capabilities are headed in the future.Continue Reading

• Size up AWS Lambda vs. Elastic Beanstalk for app hosting

  AWS users evaluating Elastic Beanstalk against Lambda must decide if infrastructure control matters when it comes to application performance, or if nonstop operation is wasting money.Continue Reading

• Review AWS Quick Starts for third-party integrations

  AWS Quick Starts integrations use CloudFormation templates to automate deployment of popular technologies from Tableau and IBM, among others. Learn how this 'AWS App Store' works.Continue Reading

• 3 AWS infrastructure management tools to expedite DevOps adoption

  Make the switch to a declarative infrastructure management model on AWS. Deploy tools such as CloudFormation and CodeCommit to boost your DevOps approach.Continue Reading

• AWS Pricing Calculator promises better cost estimates, with limitations

  Quickly generate cost estimates for your cloud with the AWS Pricing Calculator. Find out how it could help you budget, as well as how it stacks up to other pricing tools.Continue Reading

• Access and modify data for mobile apps with AWS AppSync

  Consider AWS AppSync to support mobile app development. Look into key features, such as real-time updates and in-app data querying, to determine if the service is right for your apps.Continue Reading

• AWS vs. Azure and Google: An IoT cloud platform comparison

  Find out where the IoT platform market stands today. Dive into this comparison of capabilities from AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google, as well as cloud vs. industrial IoT.Continue Reading

• DocumentDB vs. DynamoDB: Compare AWS NoSQL databases

  Infrastructure and cost management will be key factors if you have to decide between DocumentDB and DynamoDB. Learn how the two AWS document database services differ.Continue Reading

• Oracle vs. AWS: Compare cloud databases, PaaS and SaaS

  Oracle and AWS gear their clouds toward different users, so it's important to know where your organization falls. See which database, PaaS and SaaS options match your requirements.Continue Reading

• Decide if Amazon Corretto is the best fit for Java devs on AWS

  AWS plans to support Java developers with Corretto, its OpenJDK distribution with longer free support than what Oracle offers. Decide if it's the right fit for your AWS workloads.Continue Reading

• Analyze Amazon S3 storage classes, from Standard to Glacier

  Select the proper S3 class to improve your storage strategy. Learn the differences in cost and fit, such as which tiers offer frequent access and which are better for archiving.Continue Reading

• Evaluate when to use added AWS Step Functions actions

  Additional functionality for AWS Step Functions simplifies workflow implementation and calls for less custom code. Consider the features and uses of the various integrations.Continue Reading

• Amazon FSx vs. EFS: Compare the AWS file services

  The overlap between Amazon FSx and EFS makes it difficult to determine which will be a better fit for your organization. Learn the major differences between the two managed file services, from usage and storage volumes to pricing and more.Continue Reading

• Maximize Amazon S3 reliability with shrewd choices

  IT organizations moving to AWS might have data protection concerns. However, with replication across regions and versioning available, savvy S3 users get increased data reliability.Continue Reading

• Accelerate data migration with AWS DataSync

  Dig into the details of AWS DataSync, such as deployment options and availability. Compare it to similar AWS services and see how it can fit into an organization's cloud strategy.Continue Reading

• AWS vs. Oracle cloud services: Compare costs and capabilities

  AWS has established leadership in the cloud market, but long-standing software vendor Oracle could chase it down as a viable alternative. See how these cloud services compare.Continue Reading

• Amazon EC2 to S3: A guide to AWS products

  The AWS product list is as vast as it is confusing. Here's what you need to know about the most vital AWS products, up to and including Amazon EC2, along with pricing information.Continue Reading

• AWS acquisitions continue with focus to build on core services

  Explore what AWS' recent IT purchases say about the cloud vendor's overall acquisition strategy and why it likes to make the smaller deals instead of any big splash.Continue Reading

• Know your options for Elasticsearch services on AWS

  Determine which Elasticsearch tool is right for your organization with a comparison of key features in Amazon's Elasticsearch Service and Elastic's Elasticsearch.Continue Reading

• AWS WebSocket support ushers in real-time serverless features

  The WebSockets vs. HTTP debate has changed for AWS users. With WebSocket support for Amazon API Gateway, users can build serverless applications that can communicate instantaneously.Continue Reading

• AWS predictive scaling boosts cloud's resource management

  AWS Auto Scaling offers adjustable resources for workloads with fluctuations in demand. With predictive scaling, AWS applies machine learning to anticipate spikes in capacity needs.Continue Reading

• Use AWS Firecracker to build micro VMs for containerized apps

  Firecracker has many of the benefits of containers and VMs, without some of their limitations. Here are a few things to know if you plan to use this technology at your organization.Continue Reading

• AWS Lambda functions become more flexible, but use caution

  AWS Lambda added custom runtimes and longer timeouts. Review the benefits, such as flexibility and easier migration, along with the drawbacks, which include potentially higher costs.Continue Reading

• AWS' blockchain approach takes divergent paths

  AWS was slow to embrace blockchain but now offers two approaches to the concept. Review the specs of Quantum Ledger Database and Amazon Managed Blockchain.Continue Reading

• Follow these steps for an Oracle-to-AWS migration

  AWS represents the first viable alternative to Oracle for many organizations. Review your options, and follow these steps for a successful database move to the cloud.Continue Reading

• RDS on VMware extends AWS' hybrid strategy

  RDS on premises expands the AWS and VMware relationship, but adoption will depend on the breadth of capabilities for the managed database service.Continue Reading

• Future of AWS hinges on AI, Lambda and on premises

  SearchAWS contributors say AWS' future will continue to focus on AI and machine learning as the cloud provider attempts to stay ahead of the curve.Continue Reading

• Go for AWS third-party tools if native options don't cut it

  AWS users who can't find the service they need can turn to third-party tools for help, especially if they run on multiple clouds or want better integration options.Continue Reading

• Step Functions outshines SWF for most AWS workflows

  Simple Workflow Service has been around longer, but Step Functions offers more flexibility for asynchronous tasks. See why the latter is often better for multistep processes on AWS.Continue Reading

• Amazon Lightsail vs. EC2: Do updates tip the scale?

  Amazon Lightsail updates will make the cloud bundle an appealing option for some AWS users, but EC2 still provides more benefits for users that need infrastructure flexibility.Continue Reading

• A look at the AWS hardware update that fuels its A1 instances

  In case you missed the reveal of AWS' A1 instance type at re:Invent, the updated hardware that underpins these VMs could have a major effect on your cloud workloads.Continue Reading

• Consider these options to reduce AWS data transfer costs

  While it's free to get data onto AWS, it can be expensive to get it off. Avoid being stung by hefty egress fees with services such as CloudFront, Direct Connect and Snowball.Continue Reading

• How CloudFormation Macros stack up against other IaC tools

  Developers can use an updated CloudFormation feature to manage and deploy IaC templates with Lambda. However, other native and third-party tools may be better choices depending on users' needs.Continue Reading

• AWS security tools embrace AI, but miss on multi-cloud

  AWS has added AI-backed services, such as Amazon GuardDuty and Amazon Macie, to expand its security capabilities, but still hasn't addressed users' needs outside of its own platform.Continue Reading

• AWS should address these user challenges at re:Invent 2018

  SearchAWS contributors say Amazon's cloud platform still has shortcomings around data regulation, ops and integrations. They offer some ways AWS could solve these problems at re:Invent this year.Continue Reading

• Annual AWS conference can educate and overwhelm

  AWS re:Invent is an opportunity to learn about the latest from the cloud provider, or simply get started. This handbook breaks it down with predictions, insights and more.Continue Reading

• AWS cloud strategy gives nod to on-premises needs

  Amazon RDS on VMware signifies a major move on premises to compete with other cloud providers and appease customers. But how far will AWS go from its cloud-only roots?Continue Reading

• A guide to AWS cost control with third-party tools

  Expenses can quickly rise if companies don't properly manage their AWS environment. Discover the business case for third-party cloud cost management tools, as well as how they compare in the market.Continue Reading

• Compare AWS data lakes with S3 against HDFS

  An S3 data lake streamlines the analysis of data that lives exclusively on AWS infrastructure but presents limitations for those who want to move beyond the Amazon ecosystem.Continue Reading

• Explore Aurora Serverless capabilities for enterprise use

  Users should explore the potential benefits and disadvantages of AWS' serverless database option before they jump in and focus on which environments the service fits best.Continue Reading

• AWS Nitro system ushers in more compute options

  While questions remain around the direction of AWS' internal Nitro project, the effort has already translated into more high-performance compute options for users.Continue Reading

• Lambda support for OpenFaaS among wish-list items

  Lambda got a long-awaited upgrade with SQS support, but AWS has more work to do. Here are a few more integrations that could improve Lambda and expand its uses.Continue Reading

• Third-party tools ease multi-cloud network snags

  Aviatrix is one of a host of third-party networking services that IT teams can use to simplify complex multi-cloud deployments and supplement AWS-native tools.Continue Reading

• Expanded DynamoDB features might come up short for some

  Expanded features for DynamoDB target tedious workarounds for availability and backups, but might only appeal to large enterprises with massive heaps of data.Continue Reading

• AWS' managed cloud services lighten the load for IT

  AWS continues to find ways to move up the stack and ease the burden on IT. Take advantage of these services to improve productivity, and stop worrying about low-level maintenance.Continue Reading

• Avoid messy breakups with your AWS consulting partner

  Maintain control over cloud credentials and permissions to avoid a bad breakup with your AWS consultant, and structure your contract to safeguard against deals gone awry.Continue Reading

• AWS bare-metal instances target a niche market -- for now

  AWS' addition of bare-metal instances runs counter to its heritage but is another example of how the vendor wants to keep users on its cloud and also attract new ones.Continue Reading

• Assess, manage AWS costs with third-party tools

  An ecosystem of third-party products augment AWS' vast portfolio of cloud services, including cost management tools. Dig into these vendor tools to find a fit for your organization.Continue Reading

• Weave AWS CodePipeline into serverless app deployment

  CodePipeline brings a number of benefits to serverless app development and deployment, including the elimination of mundane tasks and deep integration with other AWS tools.Continue Reading

• Ensure AWS video file conversion doesn't break the bank

  Video file conversion can be a costly but necessary task for enterprises to reach their customers. Find the right mix of functionality and price with these services.Continue Reading

• Plan ahead for app portability in multi-cloud deployments

  For dev teams who work primarily with AWS, multi-cloud presents some challenges. Explore these ways to ensure app portability and whether that flexibility is worth the effort.Continue Reading

• Weigh Amazon SageMaker ease of use against needed AI skills

  SageMaker shouldn't be viewed as the AWS machine learning cure-all but, instead, as a potential option for developers with some AI and data analysis background.Continue Reading

• AWS IoT Analytics churns device data into insights

  To tap into the business value of IoT data, organizations first need the right set of tools. Compare these AWS analytics services and the features they bring to the table.Continue Reading

• Key considerations when buying AWS cost management tools

  Third-party management tools can keep costs down in AWS environments, particularly in a multi-cloud strategy. Learn how to evaluate these tools and the features that they offer.Continue Reading

• BigQuery vs. Redshift debate centers around cost, management

  Google BigQuery and Amazon Redshift remain two popular options for a data warehouse in the cloud. But, to choose between them, enterprises need to factor in some distinct differences.Continue Reading

• AWS cost management tools wrangle unwieldy expenses

  It can be a challenge to manage AWS costs, and native tools might not effectively address it. Learn how third-party vendors can help.Continue Reading

• Weigh the pros, cons of AWS CodeCommit for source control

  Before developers commit to AWS' native source control service, they should carefully evaluate the benefits and tradeoffs compared to alternatives like GitHub.Continue Reading

• Use AWS SAM to consistently manage serverless apps

  AWS Serverless Application Model can simplify the management of serverless apps. Use this step-by-step example to get started with the service.Continue Reading

• Debug more quickly with AWS CodeBuild local support

  AWS CodeBuild's local features serve as much-needed support for dev teams that can't afford lengthy wait times. Here's how to implement these features to ramp up development.Continue Reading

• Breadth of AWS features acts as a double-edged sword for IT

  AWS offers a wide variety of cloud tools but, in some cases, still lacks the core IT management and ops features that enterprises crave.Continue Reading

• AWS' market share growth depends on enterprise focus

  While AWS remains the clear leader in the public IaaS market, the vendor's future success depends on how it addresses the more foundational needs of its enterprise customers.Continue Reading

• AWS Shield provides DDoS attack protection as threats mount

  DDoS attacks continue to grow in sophistication, and enterprises need to be on alert. AWS Shield provides two tiers of automatic protection, but are they enough?Continue Reading

• Don't overestimate the benefits of serverless computing

  It's natural to be curious about new technologies, but the hype around serverless computing far outweighs its practical advantages.Continue Reading

• Assess five ways to deploy AWS containers to production

  Enterprises can choose from a range of AWS container deployment options. To make the right choice, they should first consider how much control they want over the infrastructure.Continue Reading

• Compare dedicated cloud connections from AWS, Azure and GCP

  Leading public cloud providers offer dedicated, albeit different, options to help enterprises securely connect to off-premises resources. Here's a breakdown of your options.Continue Reading

• Navigate the AWS Lambda lifecycle to give functions a tuneup

  Concurrency limits and cold starts affect the performance of Lambda functions. Gain a deeper understanding of how the service really works to cut down on unnecessary delays.Continue Reading

• Why take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam?

  Even if you're not an IT pro, you can ace the AWS certification exam. Break down the communication walls between nontechnical staff and cloud experts by obtaining this AWS certification.Continue Reading

• Amazon FreeRTOS aims to simplify, secure IoT deployment

  Operational technology teams have been slow to update microcontroller software due to safety and logistics concerns, but Amazon FreeRTOS aims to ease that process for AWS users.Continue Reading

• Support for Node.js in AWS Lambda slowly, but surely, evolves

  Developers who need the latest version of Node.js for a serverless platform might turn to Lambda rivals to meet that need. But AWS' slow pace of support has quickened -- somewhat.Continue Reading

• Early adopters face AWS Lambda cost management challenges

  Serverless computing abstracts away infrastructure management responsibilities, but some customers find that this convenience comes with a price that's not easy to estimate or manage.Continue Reading

• Protect your serverless app with this mix of AWS tools

  As they move to serverless platforms, such as Lambda, development and operations teams need to acquire a new mindset -- and set of tools -- to keep their workloads safe.Continue Reading

• Don't quit your day job to build smart-home applications

  Plenty of effort goes into the creation of Alexa skills and Google actions, but the market for those smart-home apps has yet to fully materialize for developers.Continue Reading