What is a cloud platform? A cloud platform refers to the operating system and hardware of a server in an Internet-based data center. It allows software and hardware products to co-exist remotely and at scale.

So, how do cloud platforms work? Enterprises rent access to compute services, such as servers, databases, storage, analytics, networking, software, and intelligence. Therefore, the enterprises don’t have to set up and own data centers or computing infrastructure. They simply pay for what they use.

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Types of Cloud Platforms

There are several types of cloud platforms. Not a single one works for everyone. There are several models, types, and services available to help meet the varying needs of users. They include:

• Public Cloud: Public cloud platforms are third-party providers that deliver computing resources over the Internet. Examples include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform, Alibaba, Microsoft Azure, and IBM Bluemix.
• Private Cloud: A private cloud platform is exclusive to a single organization. It’s usually in an on-site data center or hosted by a third-party service provider.
• Hybrid Cloud: This is a combination of public and private cloud platforms. Data and applications move seamlessly between the two. This gives the organization greater flexibility and helps optimize infrastructure, security, and compliance.

A cloud platform allows organizations to create cloud-native applications, test and build applications, and store, back up, and recover data. It also allows organizations to analyze data. Organizations can also stream video and audio, embed intelligence into their operations, and deliver software on-demand on a global scale.

Choosing a Public Cloud Platform

Since public cloud is utilizing the services and resources provided by an already existing third party, it’s often the best choice for new or relatively young companies that need to get up and running quickly without too much upfront costs or setting up. It also provides other benefits like advanced tooling, high availability, and scalability-on-demand.

Public cloud platforms aren’t for everybody, however. Its cost can be high depending on the amount and types of usage, and there are potential security and constraint issues for industries with strict regulations or sensitive data.

While choosing a specific public cloud platform heavily depends on the organization’s specific needs, here’s a brief overview of the most popular public cloud platforms and their pros and cons to get you started.

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Pros:

• Comprehensive Service Offerings: Over 200 fully-featured services, catering to diverse needs.
• Global Reach: Largest network of data centers worldwide, ensuring low latency.
• Scalability: Scales efficiently to handle large workloads.
• Strong Ecosystem: Extensive documentation, community support, and third-party integrations.
• Innovative Tools: Advanced AI/ML services like SageMaker and deep integration with IoT, serverless (Lambda), and big data tools.

Cons:

• Complex Pricing: Many services and pricing tiers make cost estimation challenging.
• Overwhelming for Beginners: Steep learning curve due to the platform’s vastness.
• Cost: Higher costs for advanced features or services in comparison to some competitors.

2. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Pros:

• Data Analytics and AI/ML Strength: Industry-leading tools like BigQuery and TensorFlow.
• Developer-Friendly: Focus on Kubernetes (inventor of Kubernetes) and containerization tools.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Competitive pricing and discounts like Sustained Use Discounts.
• Open Source Commitment: Strong support for open-source tools and platforms.
• Global Network Infrastructure: Same infrastructure that powers Google’s core services like Search and YouTube.

Cons:

• Limited Services: Smaller range of services compared to AWS or Azure.
• Enterprise Adoption: Not as widely adopted in enterprises as AWS and Azure.
• Support Ecosystem: Smaller community and third-party ecosystem compared to AWS and Azure.

3. Microsoft Azure

Pros:

• Integration with Microsoft Tools: Seamless integration with Windows Server, Active Directory, and Office 365.
• Hybrid Cloud Focus: Strong support for hybrid cloud environments.
• Enterprise Reach: Trusted by enterprises, particularly those already using Microsoft products.
• Global Presence: Expansive data center network.
• AI and Analytics: Solid AI tools (e.g., Azure Cognitive Services) and analytics solutions.

Cons:

• Complex Setup: Can be difficult to configure for non-Microsoft environments.
• Documentation Gaps: Less comprehensive documentation compared to AWS.
• Pricing Complexity: Pricing can be confusing for some services and configurations.

4. IBM Cloud

Pros:

• Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Solutions: Focus on hybrid cloud environments with tools like Red Hat OpenShift.
• AI and Machine Learning: Strong AI capabilities with Watson AI and analytics tools.
• Enterprise-Grade Security: Emphasis on security and compliance, suitable for regulated industries.
• Mainframe Integration: Well-suited for businesses using IBM mainframes.

Cons:

• Market Share: Smaller market presence compared to AWS, Azure, and GCP.
• Service Range: Fewer services and tools compared to major competitors.
• Interface and Usability: User experience can be less polished.

5. Oracle Cloud

Pros:

• Database Expertise: Best-in-class database services, including Oracle Autonomous Database.
• Enterprise Focus: Tailored for enterprise applications like ERP, CRM, and database-heavy workloads.
• Cost Benefits: Transparent pricing structure and free tier services.
• Hybrid Cloud Support: Good for organizations combining on-premises and cloud solutions.

Cons:

• Limited Ecosystem: Smaller community and fewer third-party integrations.
• User Experience: Can feel less intuitive compared to competitors.
• Adoption: Less adopted for general-purpose cloud solutions.

Pros and Cons of Private Cloud

A private cloud platform is ideal for organizations that require high security, compliance, and control, especially in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, or government.

However, choosing to go the private cloud route requires the building and maintenance of private data server that leads to higher upfront costs and maintenance responsibilities, making it less attractive for smaller businesses or those with variable workloads. For many, a hybrid cloud model—combining private and public clouds—offers the best balance between control and scalability.

Why some companies choose a hybrid cloud model

The hybrid cloud model is an excellent choice for organizations looking to balance security, scalability, and cost-efficiency. With a hybrid cloud model, companies can get the security or compliance they might need, while having an avenue for scalability and cost-efficiency that public cloud platforms can offer.

While it offers significant advantages, it comes with challenges like complexity, costs, and integration. Since each cloud has its own interface, protocols, strengths and weaknesses, standardizing across the board can be especially difficult. Proper planning, skilled IT staff, and robust tools are essential to maximize the benefits of a hybrid cloud environment.

Managing Cloud Platforms

Most organizations today leverage multiple cloud platforms, on-premise servers, and a number of apps as part of their cloud environment, and managing all these resources can quickly become difficult and error-prone. To help manage the chaos, many organizations use a cloud management platform (CMP) as part of their cloud fabric orchestration strategy with the end goal of having a streamlined process that allows for visibility, control, and automation of all the disparate tools in one place, increasing your overall cloud ROI.

Ready to take your cloud platform to the next level? Request a demo or learn how CloudBolt can help solve your cloud ROI problem.

Azure Integration Services is an offering by Microsoft Cloud for performing mission-critical integrations. It provides Azure customers with a serverless compute experience that helps drive efficiency and consistency when connecting applications.

The Case for Azure Integration Services

Things have changed fundamentally in the IT integration world. A few years ago, we had integration specialists and architects whose sole purpose was to help organizations with integration. Today, things are different. The need for organizations to increase the rate of business change (digital transformation) now drives integration.

Enterprises rely on all manner of mission-critical apps. Microsoft Azure handles mission-critical cloud workloads with ease. If a company cannot integrate mission-critical apps to an organization, the value of the apps diminishes. The Azure’s integration services and capabilities give enterprises incredible value, both externally and internally.

Application Integration Is the Digital Transformation Backbone

According to Gartner, almost two-thirds of enterprises will have a hybrid integration platform in place soon. As a result, enterprises will be able to pace their time to market and efficiency, among other things.

Integration Scenarios

There are four main integration scenarios. They include:

Application to Application: This involves connecting applications within the organization. These applications might run on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid setup.

Software as a Service (SaaS): This involves the connection of business applications to Software as a Service providers’ applications. SOAP and REST interfaces usually do this integration.

Internet of Things (IoT): This involves integrating applications with IoT devices. The popularity of IoT is increasing, and a cloud-based integration solution is perfectly suited to address this variety of new integrations. This is because companies can access it from any location.

Business-to-business: This involves connecting the applications of your organization with those of a partner organization. It relies on standard formats, such as Electronic Data Interchange (EDI).

Integration Challenges

When you’re building applications that talk to different systems and share data, there are some inherent challenges you’re bound to face. Here are some of them:

• Each system has different formats, APIs, and data sources.
• Some services are service-oriented, while others you distribute.
• Some services reside on-premises while others reside in the cloud.

The solution to these problems is IPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service). Many organizations are now moving to IPaaS to overcome integration challenges. This is where Azure Integration Services comes in.

Azure Integration Services

Building an integration platform involves four key components. We need to look at its parts:

1. API Management
2. Azure Service Bus
3. Azure Logic Apps
4. Azure Event Grid

The platform allows you to connect applications within your business to improve productivity and improve time to market. You can also connect applications between businesses to strengthen relationships and facilitate collaboration.

Azure API Management

Azure allows you to publish APIs within a safe environment and connect them to back-end systems located anywhere in the world. This is a boon for businesses looking to expand their operations, find new customers, drive deeper customer engagement, and create new channels.

You can take any back-end system and seamlessly launch an API program with Azure API Management. Some benefits of using Azure API Management include:

• It attracts developers.
• It works with any scale, API, and host.
• It launches secure and optimized APIs.
• It gets insights into the performance of your APIs.

Azure Logic Apps

The Logic Apps allow you to automate your workflows and orchestrate your organization’s business processes. It simplifies how you design and build scalable solutions for:

• Data Integration
• App Integration
• System Integration
• Business-to-Business (B2B) Communication
• Enterprise Application Integration (EAI)

So, what are the benefits of Azure Logic Apps?

• Reduce integration challenges with out-of-the-box connectors
• Cloud-based business-to-business and enterprise messaging
• Integrate and connect data from the cloud to an on-premises deployment
• Web-based workflow designer

Azure Service Bus

This is a scalable and reliable enterprise messaging solution. It allows you to transfer data between different services and applications using messages. The message is in binary format and can contain text, XML, or JSON.

Some advantages of Azure Service Bus include:

• It simplifies cloud messaging.
• It allows you to build scalable, reliable cloud solutions.
• It builds enterprise messaging platforms with complex message routing.

Azure Event Grid

The Azure Event Grid gives users a simple event-based publish-subscribe (pub-sub) model. You get to build applications using an event-driven pattern. It allows you to only react and do stuff when things happen. This makes it easier for others to program their own interfaces on the back of these events.

So, what are the benefits of Azure Event Grid?

• It has an HTTP-based event delivery that’s simple and easy to use.
• You can build more reliable apps through reactive programming.
• It enables you to focus on product innovation.

Conclusion

Azure Integration Services is a great way to connect with partners, create relationships with other businesses, and discover new business opportunities. And the best part is, you can do this in quick time to market.

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Our partners are at the core of every decision we make as a business, from marketing to lab creation to CloudBolt finding creative ways for partners to maximize their revenue growth. It’s for that reason we’re thrilled to announce the launch of the brand-new CloudBolt Rainmaker Partner Program.

The program is part of our approach to the cloud market. We see a shift to an “all things as-a-service” market landscape, where partners need a wider variety of tools in their toolbelts to help ensure they can meet customers wherever they are on their hybrid cloud, multi-cloud journey. We’re taking an approach to partners that includes:

• 100% of leads being taken to partners – every lead: new, renewals, ALL.
• Solutions that deliver an unrivaled time-to-value for our customers.
• Helping partners build or retain their relevance as trusted advisors; CloudBolt helps partners not be single-threaded in accounts, but pivot to critical areas: DevOps, Security, ITOps, FinOps, Infrastructure, Virtualization and Procurement.
• Just being easy to do business with—ensuring CloudBolt is seen as a business partner and not just another software manufacturer.

With the Rainmaker program as our supporting structure, partners will be positioned for greater success in helping our joint customers be successful on their digital transformation and modernization paths. We couldn’t be more excited about the program and the tangible benefits for our partners and customers across the globe.

Here are six reasons why partners will love the CloudBolt Rainmaker Partner Program

Adaptable Program Structure. Rainmaker supports partner agility by accommodating the various roles the partner is playing for their customer, whether it be resale, managed services, distributor, developer or advisor – or a combination of these roles. CloudBolt is not putting partners in a box, or limiting their ability to showcase their unique value.

Competitive Partnership Levels. Focused on achievement and advancement, the Rainmaker program is structured with four levels of partnership. Storm, the highest level, provides dedicated sales, marketing and technical support in addition to rich discount/ margins and incentives. To ensure there is protection and great earning potential for partners that come in below the Storm tier, there’s Lightning and Thunder, which provide growth opportunities and incentives to move to higher levels as a partner gains traction in the market with their cloud practice, and Wind tier for referral partners, who aren’t ready to make a formal commitment, but understand their clients have a need for what CloudBolt delivers.

Multi-dimensional Solutions Framework. Partners can position themselves for new opportunities to increase profitability, shifting focus from the cycle of one-time product resale to recurring customer value and meeting customer needs. We provide a comprehensive solutions framework allowing partners to meet customers’ needs depending on where they are in their cloud lifecycle, including: IT automation, self-service IT, cloud cost and security optimization, and an integration-as-a-service platform.

Partner Training and Enablement. Rainmaker partners are provided with comprehensive on-boarding and training, and always have the full support and expertise of CloudBolt on their side. Via CloudBolt University and our Center of Excellence, we provide training and enablement for sales, pre-sales and services personnel to ensure Rainmaker partners are provided with comprehensive access to expertise. Our portal is a one-stop destination gateway where partners can find exactly what they need from: a place to log support requests, register deals, find co-branded collateral templates, apply for MDF, request not-for-resale license keys (“NFR”), Sales assets and support tools, as well as our learning management system upon which CloudBolt University is built.

Joint Partner Marketing. CloudBolt works closely with partners and equips them with everything they need to sell and support their solutions, including quarterly demand generation planning, campaigns in-a-box, joint events, co-marketing funds and social media cards. Additionally, partners can streamline the management of joint marketing programs while helping to defray marketing costs.

SPIFFs and Financial Incentives. CloudBolt willingly provides fiscal incentives to Rainmaker partners to incentivize and reward individuals for activity that helps grow the pipeline and close deals. We fully embrace putting the investment into those partners committed to investing in us.

For our channel partner friends: don’t wait a second longer. So be part of something great and join the CloudBolt Rainmaker Partner Program. Let’s make it rain even more!

Sign up to join the CloudBolt Rainmaker Partner Program now.