February 2022 Summaries

AWS is currently the globally leading cloud service provider with over $45 billion in net sales in the 2020 fiscal year, holding 33% of the global cloud market share and offering a broad range of thorough and customizable services. AWS was first to offer Amazon Simple Storage Service in 2006 and now offers over 200 services, spanning fields like analytics, database management, containers, compute, and more. With the highest global footprint, AWS maintains 81 availability zones across 25 geographic regions, catering to individual developers with its edge in service customizability. Companies such as Samsung, AOL, BMW, and Comcast use AWS to meet their workloads. In contrast, Microsoft Azure offers seamless integration with other Microsoft software and caters to hybrid workloads split between multiple operating systems, making it suitable for companies already invested in other Microsoft products. Google Cloud Platform follows with 9% of the global market share, offering over 100 services and great integration with Google's parent company software, ideal for developers working on Android OS or using containerized applications managed by Kubernetes clusters. Despite differences, all three providers offer similar services to meet most workloads, with AWS being the most customizable due to its increased number of services. A multi-cloud strategy is often adopted to meet usage requirements, with each provider catering to specific needs such as machine learning, security, or containerized applications. Ultimately, the choice of cloud provider depends on whose strengths match the specific requirements of the workload.

The AWS Marketplace is a digital catalog that allows customers to buy and sell third-party software, data, and services running on AWS. The marketplace offers a wide range of products, including machine learning solutions, analytics services, premium storage and security services, operating systems, cost optimization tools, and more. Products available on the marketplace are approved by AWS and can be purchased through a streamlined process, with prices determined by the vendor. AWS credits are sometimes offered to incentivize customers to invest in their products, which can be used to offset Marketplace subscriptions. The marketplace offers integration with AWS services, making it easier to manage products, track renewals, and apply credits. Purchasing cost optimization tools on the marketplace provides financial benefits, including increased visibility and exclusive vendor benefits. Overall, the marketplace is an ideal platform for customers who are already aware of their AWS expenses and meet many of their workload requirements through AWS.