Cloud computing is increasingly prevalent in the digital age. It’s predicted that more than 80% of companies worldwide will use cloud computing as their main infrastructure by 2025. And as more and more businesses adopt cloud computing, the number of cloud-computing providers has grown too. If you’re looking to switch to cloud-based solutions, you have an extensive range of options to choose from.
However, the cloud market is still dominated by hyperscaler clouds: these utilize a huge network of data centers and provide an immense variety of services. There are three major hyperscale providers: Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It’s estimated that these giants account for more than 60% of the cloud market.
The majority of cloud users may opt for the biggest hyperscaler clouds out of convenience, but there are lots of other providers that serve diverse needs. Varied industries, geographic areas, and markets across the globe are all catered to.
Smaller cloud providers specialize in more niche sectors with bespoke packages and support, which major hyperscalers may not be able to accommodate when operating at such huge scales. Smaller cloud providers also appeal to companies with more streamlined workloads, so that enterprises on even the tightest budgets can get maximum value from their cloud spending.
But how does a hyperscaler cloud work? What benefits and drawbacks can users expect? And what other cloud options are out there?
In this post, we’ll answer these questions to help you make an informed decision.
Hyperscaler Clouds Explained
A hyperscaler cloud is a provider of cloud solutions that operates a massive data-center network, with many services to support enterprise applications with significant user bases. The cloud market is dominated by these providers, and are generally the work of vast tech brands like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon. These offer a variety of other tech solutions, not just their cloud infrastructure services.
We’re only discussing public hyperscalers in this piece, but private ones are available too.
Popular Public Hyperscalers
When cloud computing platforms are available to the general public, that’s known as a public hyperscaler. These are operated by major brands, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Here are six of the most popular public hyperscalers.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is one of the top hyperscale cloud options, commanding more than 20% market share. Azure users can access various solutions, such as app services, IoT, virtual machines, plus machine learning and AP.
Azure works smoothly with the company’s enterprise software, so it’s a widely used platform for businesses that already rely on Microsoft’s products.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services is the biggest hyperscale cloud provider in the world. Its market share exceeds 30%, and it offers users an extensive set of cloud services.
These include storage, machine learning, databases, analytics, and computing power. Millions of users depend on Amazon Web Services worldwide, from new businesses to vast companies.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google’s hyperscale cloud platform brings users cloud computing, storage, machine learning, networking, and more.
Around 10% of the market is accounted for by Google Cloud Platform. It’s particularly appealing to users looking for cutting-edge analytics and AI, based on its data-handling capabilities and AI/machine learning.
IBM Cloud
IBM Cloud offers a range of cloud services, such as SaaS, PaaS, IaaS, blockchain, and AI. Its main focus is hybrid cloud solutions, which suits companies that need to integrate the cloud into their on-site infrastructure.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)
This hyperscale cloud platform is the creation of Oracle, and its services include database, storage, compute, and more. It’s particularly strong in enterprise-grade applications and database management systems.
Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud (AKA Aliyun) belongs to Alibaba Group, a well-known Chinese conglomerate. Businesses all over the world use Alibaba Cloud for its generous set of cloud services. Its hybrid and edge computing is one of the most important features, and different types of companies can use it as a result.
Hyperscaler Cloud Computing Advantages and Disadvantages
The top three hyperscalers provide users with worldwide reach, lots of services, and scalability on an unmatched level. Diverse businesses, from startups to bigger companies, use hyperscaler clouds daily. However, they primarily cater to the requirements of enterprises that will benefit most from their massive infrastructure network and suite of solutions.
Hyperscale clouds may be capable of meeting the requirements of large companies looking to scale, but the complicated nature of their pricing, possible lock-ins to specific vendors, and data migration pricing all require careful thought before signing up.
If you’re weighing up hyperscalers to alternative cloud-service providers, you need to pay attention to several critical factors: scalability, services, pricing, compliance, and user support. While hyperscalers provide worldwide reach and varied solutions, they may not offer much customization. Alternative providers, though, will have the capacity for bespoke packages, dedicated support, and competitive rates.
When you understand the differences between hyperscalers and alternative cloud providers, you should find picking the right option for you much easier. You will be able to achieve the seamless configuration you need based on your particular needs and objectives.
Hyperscaler Advantages
Let’s look at the benefits of hyperscaler cloud computing in detail.
Worldwide Reach
Hyperscaler clouds are built for broad availability and utilize many data centers around the world. That can lead to increased redundancy for cloud applications hosted in multiple data centers. Hyperscalers offer minimal delays for faster, better performance and a stronger user experience overall.
Convenient and Flexible Scalability
Hyperscaler clouds can scale up or down to suit changing user needs. You can add more resources or cut back on them as required.
Additionally, hyperscaler clouds provide essentially limitless computing resources, allowing enterprises to scale their services and applications as their demands evolve. There’s no need for hardware restrictions to stand in their way.
Reliable Security
Hyperscaler clouds provide highly secure solutions. They tend to invest in the latest cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and infrastructure redundancy to keep services running and data safe. Various state-of-the-art measures safeguard sensitive data, such as firewalls, data encryption, and intrusion detection.
Hyperscaler Disasdvantages
Locked-in to Specific Vendors
One of the biggest disadvantages of using a hyperscaler cloud is the possibility of being locked in to a particular vendor. As a result, you might struggle to transfer your applications to a different cloud provider in the future. Moving data from hyperscalers can incur further expense, and that can be problematic for enterprises with considerable data-migration requirements.
Fluctuating Costs
Hyperscaler pricing can fluctuate and be hard to predict, with hidden costs a possibility. That may make budgeting tougher than it should be, and you could spend more than you intend to. Businesses need to keep watch over their usage carefully, and it’s important to try to avoid financial uncertainties when agreeing on contracts.
Complicated Management
Managing hyperscaler clouds can be difficult due to their complexity. The sheer number of features and services they offer may be too daunting for some, especially users with little experience of cloud platforms.
Additionally, with the vast user base hyperscalers tend to have, getting tailored support with a fast response can be hard (especially for companies on a small scale).
How Do Hyperscalers Compare to Alternative Cloud Providers?
The leading hyperscalers (Google Cloud Platform, Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure) may be a weak match for SMBs, due to their substantial costs and complicated services.
Fortunately, alternative cloud providers are available. They offer a number of advantages for enterprises on the lookout for a bespoke solution at an affordable price with solid support.
Advantages of Alternative Cloud Providers
More Cost-Effective Packages
Businesses may choose cloud providers on a smaller scale because of their cost-effective services. Enterprises dealing with small workloads might not get as much value for money from hyperscalers, which can lead to them paying more than they need to.
Furthermore, local compliance regulations may encourage some businesses to work with smaller cloud providers to ensure they comply.
Niche Solutions
Non-hyperscaler providers may focus on niche markets or fully tailored packages. Their customers will receive more personalized support and comprehensive, focused service that hyperscalers can’t match because of their huge scale.
Enterprises with unique requirements can find this level of specialization beneficial, especially with personalized support.
Comprehensive Solutions
Alternative cloud providers offer a wide range of services, such as databases, networking, storage, and compute. Your business is likely to find all the solutions you need to operate in the cloud, with just one provider catering to your unique requirements.
Streamlined System Design
Smaller cloud providers that cater to SMBs may recognize the need for a more straightforward design, instead of packing their platforms with excessive features and functions. That can make them easier to grasp for inexperienced users.
Conclusion
Hyperscalers offer companies on a large scale a massive suite of services, while other providers tend to focus on a tailored approach for SMBs.
If you run a small to medium business, you may find that a non-hypescaler is the best option. Not only can you expect more personalized support, but you’re likely to find cost-effective packages that suit your budget.
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