AWS vs Azure How Did The Cloud Computing War For Enterprise App Development Begin

1. AWS vs Azure: How Did The Cloud Computing War For Enterprise App Development Begin? Cloud computing has been on a rise for the past 16 years since Amazon launched AWS (Amazon Web Services) was launched in 2006. The idea developed at the executive retreat at Jeff Bezos’s house in 2003. The Amazon leadership identified that its infrastructures services gave them a massive advantage over their

2. 2 competition. At that point, without even fully articulating it, they began to formulate the idea of what AWS could be. AWS dominated the market for several years before the competitors like Microsoft, Google and IBM responded with cloud computing services for enterprise app development. And they began to wonder if they had an additional business providing infrastructure services to developers, which is now known as cloud computing. Two years after AWS went live, Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s chief software architect, announced that the company would launch its cloud computing services called Windows Azure. Ozzie said, “It’s a transformation of our software and a transformation of our strategy.” Finally, in February 2010, the Windows Azure Platform became commercially available. Since then, analysts have been drawing comparisons between AWS and Azure. And with close competition, both AWS and Azure came up with drastic improvements over the years.

3. 3 Both are the leading cloud computing platforms available with a wide range of capabilities and features like big data storage, computation, auto-scaling, networking, compliance management, instant provisioning, and more for enterprise app development. In this article, we have drawn a comparative analysis of Azure and AWS from a business perspective. However, it is crucial to mention here that both the solutions might provide varying business values based on your specific needs and requirements. Here is a detailed comparison of AWS vs. Azure based on five essential criteria for enterprise app development: AWS vs Azure: App Deployment Azure and AWS cloud provide their users with an efficient and convenient infrastructure for enterprise app development, including hosting and running the apps in the cloud with a wide range of features and services. Both the cloud computing platforms have core capabilities like flexible, straightforward development, and overall management of mobile and web apps.

4. 4 However, in AWS cloud services, you get microservice deployment through Amazon Elastic Container Service(ECS). It enables developers to build apps as separate services with the most appropriate technology for each service. AWS also allows the development of server-less apps by utilizing Amazon API Gateway, Amazon S3, and AWS Lambda. The users can efficiently run enterprise apps and software in the AWS cloud environment by using such computing resources. Now coming to Azure cloud services, it provides a wide range of features like Azure Batch, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Virtual Machine Scale Sets, and more. The Azure stack includes Virtual Machine, a computing resource to configure app instances quickly. AWS cloud services don’t include a resource like that. Azure also includes multiple app deployment solutions like app service, batch deployment, container services, and, more. In this regard, both AWS and Azure cloud offers a range of app deployment services supporting multiple programming languages and frameworks. Apart from a few differences, when it comes to app deployment both have somewhat similar functionality and features.

5. 5 Further Reading: How To Choose The Best From Native, Web And Hybrid App Development? AWS vs Azure: Data Storage The big data storage for AWS and Azure are called Simple Storage Service (S3) and Blob, respectively. Both offer reliable and robust data storage with a range of features like REST API, windows server-side data encryption, and disaster recovery. So, storage has a huge role to play here. Azure blob storage has its in-built backup and single-click support, making it more enterprise-appropriate for data storage. AWS offers more customizations and has better native operations within the cloud service ecosystem in terms of storage. Big data storage is equally a huge factor for both AWS and Azure. AWS vs Azure: Technical approachability Amazon has an upper hand when it comes to technical accessibility with its user training and certifications. The documentation of each module and service is also available.

6. 6 This makes AWS more comprehensive and accessible for everyone in comparison to Azure cloud service provider which requires specific development skills and some Microsoft experience beforehand. For Azure, additional resources and training will be required for enterprise app development. To utilize platforms like Azure Store Simple, Hybrid SQL Server, and Azure Stack, you require deep Microsoft-related experience and skills. For example, IT admins who are familiar with the environments of Windows already will find Azure particularly easy to work with and deploy. AWS vs Azure: Security Azure and AWS are both have invested in high-security standards for their users. While these platforms manage the security of the cloud, you are also responsible for your security in the cloud service. Microsoft Azure implies that you hold control of your security through implementing practices to protect your content, applications, systems, networks, etc.

7. 7 Microsoft Azure has especially been known for enterprise-grade security since its beginning. It is created using the most rigorous security and compliance standards in the world. You can verify the security integration of the cloud platform through Microsoft Azure security documentation. And access useful information and resources like Azure security best practices and patterns. According to Microsoft, more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies are running on Azure. AWS, on the other hand, also commits to high cloud security for its users. It supports security standards and compliance certifications than any other offering, including PCI-DSS, HIPAA/HITECH, FedRAMP, GDPR, FIPS 140-2, and NIST 800-171. You can access all the available security standards of Amazon AWS here, including the foundational best practices for security. Let’s take a look at the security services offered by both:

8. 8 Security Services AWS Azure Feature Identity and Access IAM Active Directory Management Key Management KMS Key Vault Virtual Network, Network VPC ExpressRoute Trusted Advisor, Security Check Security Center AWS Inspector

9. 9 Data Encryption Storage Service Storage Security for S3 Encryption (SSE) Azure Monitor, Monitoring CloudWatch Application Insights CloudWatch Log Analytics, Logs, Logging Security Event Logs CloudTrail Compliance CloudHSM TrustCenter AWS vs Azure: Pricing

10. 10 The prices for both vary according to the services for enterprise app development that you require. Typically, it differs from business to business. Both Azure and AWS offer pay-as-you-go so that it is easier for businesses to utilize the services they want. Additionally, there are free trials available for both Azure and AWS. Every service costs different so there is no set cost for every enterprise application development . However, you can still calculate the cost-effectiveness for both platforms. You can refer to calculate your enterprise application development with AWS here and similarly, for Azure here . This gives you a rough idea and estimates the cost of using a particular platform for specific functionality. If you are currently enterprise partners with Microsoft and have implemented Microsoft products, they offer discounts in such cases. However, it is advisable to consult an expert to better identify your specific requirements and the suited functionality that each cloud platform offers. Which is the best for enterprise app development: AWS vs Azure?

11. 11 From a business standpoint, both AWS and Azure are valuable cloud computing platforms for enterprise product development. According to a Gartner report based on verified reviews from real users in the Cloud Infrastructure and cloud Platform Services market, Amazon Web Services (AWS) has a rating of 4.6 stars with 2804 reviews. Microsoft has a rating of 4.4 stars with 1678 reviews. It is undeniably true that AWS brought cloud computing to the market and is several years ahead in terms of the launch of the platforms. However, Microsoft’s Azure has garnered a lot of users and is a close competition to AWS with its innovative and modern features. Further Reading: How To Develop Apps Like Airbnb And Slack? AWS vs Azure: Summary While many people may have strong opinions over the AWS vs. Azure debate, experts and analysts do not believe in a definite answer from the perspective of enterprise product development. Both are constantly improving to bring out the best features and optimal services and cloud solution. They can make you feel the need for mobile apps for your business.

12. 12 Due to such constant improvements and updates, it is appropriate to analyze specific product development requirements. Along with the available services and solutions with both platforms then. Additionally, You should also consider the product growth strategies of your business. If different options like combining different cloud service platforms for different stages is viable or not. For example, you can use Azure for development and testing & use AWS(Amazon Web Service) for running production environments. Overall, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to enterprise app development. The varying needs of your product development strategy should essentially be analyzed apart from ensuring that you are fully utilizing the potential of any of the cloud computing platforms.