Contact us anytime to know more — Abhishek P., Founder & CFO CISIN
Cloud providers deliver increasing savings in costs, security, scalability, and business continuity. This trend is set to grow.
The market for cloud computing is now a huge ecosystem of cloud computing providers, technologies, products, and services.
Gartner predicts that the global cloud computing market to grow by 17% and reach $266.4 billion.
Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud: The Two Leaders
Two of the major players in the cloud services market include Microsoft Azure and GCP. In looking at the comparison between Azure and Google Cloud migration, or in case of switching providers, it's important to be aware of what's available in terms of capabilities for computing, storage, and pricing options.
Based on the latest research of cloud computing markets, it is discovered that nearly 93% of organizations use at least one software that is cloud-based to protect raw business data, and a majority of companies employ a multi-cloud strategy.
Businesses spent much time building trust in AWS Storage Service, which was introduced in 2006. the cloud service is now a common work tool.
However, cloud service selection is a crucial method, which is why your Information Technology department needs research before investing in the cloud service.
Cloud-service apps like Microsoft Azure, IBM, Google Cloud, Dell, Oracle, Salesforce, and others simplify consumers increasing or decreasing the capacity and using apps whenever needed.
In addition, the different providers continue to launch new and effective applications that companies can use.
Microsoft Azure: Definition, Benefits, and Drawbacks
Microsoft Azure is the second-largest cloud platform. Since its launch in 2010, Azure has transformed into a cloud platform, offering more than 200 solutions and services.
It is now one of the fastest-growing cloud platforms.
As Microsoft provides Azure as a service, it offers many services specifically tailored for Microsoft-centric businesses, making the transition to a cloud-based or hybrid cloud environment easy for many companies.
Microsoft Azure uses more than 90% of Fortune 500 companies with a track record catering to enterprises.
It is important to note that Azure isn't limited only to services that run on Windows. It also supports open-source languages and platforms, technologies, and platforms that allow anyone to create and implement any application.
Most well-known Azure Customers include
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DAIMLER AG
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McKesson Group
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Asos
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Center of Disease Control (CDC) – US
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National Health Service (NHS) – UK
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HSBC
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Starbucks
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Walgreens
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3M
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HP
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Mitsubishi Electric
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Renault
Microsoft Azure is a collection of cloud computing services specifically designed to meet the requirements of every business.
It was designed to provide every business with the ability to develop, manage and implement applications on the world's largest network without having users abandon their preferred frameworks or tools.
There are over 100 different Azure products available to customers currently, which range across AI, machine learning tools and management software that give you application insights that help you identify and resolve issues that might be present in your service.
When paired with third-party apps and tools, Azure is designed to provide you with a single point of contact to develop.
These are the benefits and drawbacks to consider when you're taking a close review of Microsoft Azure for your business in the present.
#Pros
High Availability
When you review the legal contract that governs the services offered by Azure, You'll discover that the uptime guarantee provided is 99.95%.
In real-time, this means that you'll be able to expect around 4.5 minutes of interruption. Similar services offered by competitors have uptime rates of 98%, 95%, and even as less as 90%, at the same cost as Azure provides.
Flexibility
Moving to the cloud could be costly. Therefore, businesses must make the most of their cloud platforms after being there.
However, this flexibility is essential because it allows you to expand your initiatives as your company grows. In addition, Azure is an extremely scalable platform, and just a few clicks of one button can get more licenses that you might require.
Imagine the possibility of scaling down your application's software during the weekend or ramping up for the busiest times of the year.
Microsoft on-premises licensing may be quite challenging to remove licenses from, especially those under the Enterprise Agreement (EA), which makes the quick and easy adjustment of Azure solutions refreshing, particularly in these times of unpredictable conditions.
Cost-Effectiveness
Companies need to ensure that they keep their IT budgets under control in the transition to cloud-based services.
Cost is probably one factor that makes Microsoft Azure so attractive to many companies. The pay-as-you-go cloud model permits SMBs to control their IT budgets more effectively because they can buy whatever they need.
Additionally, the cloud environment has allowed companies to create internal applications and custom apps in the cloud, which can save significant amounts of IT infrastructure costs while also reducing the need for hardware and maintenance expenses.
#Cons
Requires Management
As with everything, there are a few potential disadvantages to Microsoft Azure. Compared to SaaS platforms where the end-user consumes information (for instance, Office 365), IaaS (Azure) shifts the computing power of your company from your office or data center to the cloud.
Similar to other cloud providers, Azure must be well-maintained and managed, including the monitoring and patching servers.
You Must Have Platform Expertise Available
One of the most significant problems seen in Azure is a shift in the power of computing which is accessible to the company.
If you're moving your servers that are on-premise to cloud-based servers, you'll find that your computing capacity doesn't change along with your business. To achieve the same level of computing power using the cloud platform, you could be surprised to discover that the cost is thousands of dollars more annually than what is currently being paid.
Complexity
Azure could quickly become a difficult environment for larger businesses as it is a SaaS cloud platform. Before the cloud, there was a complex process used when it came to purchasing additional licenses, typically as an agreement or renewal of the contract.
However, cloud technology is very easy to purchase new products. All you require is a business credit card and some time.
Many companies don't have any process to manage their employees' spending in the cloud-based platform.
It will require a strict process and management to ensure that purchases are monitored, the environments are properly managed, and that projects are completed when they have been completed.
For larger businesses, It is worthwhile to look into using a SaaS management system with someone who has been specially qualified to oversee the Azure platform.
Google Cloud: Definition, Benefits, and Drawbacks
GCP is the cloud service provided that is owned by Google. GCP forms part of the larger Google Cloud.
The platform has been available to the general public starting in 2010. The Google Cloud Platform currently offers more than 100 services that span networking, computing, big data solutions, and others.
At present, GCP includes services such as Google Workspace, enterprise Android, and Chrome OS.
In comparison with AWS and Azure, GCP is the most modest of the three Big 3 cloud services. However, it offers a complete range of cloud-based services that enable and facilitate any application.
GCP clients include:
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Toyota
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Unilever
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Nintendo
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Spotify
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The Home Depot
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Target
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Twitter
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Paypal
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UPS
Google is taking the lead as a trusted cloud storage provider. In addition, its increasing number of cloud services will close the gap to the AWS ecosystem that seemed invincible a few years ago.
So, it is sensible to look at the advantages and disadvantages of its storage services and then compare it to other top players such as Amazon S3 and Backblaze B2.
#Pros
Reliability
Reliability is foremost. Cloud SQL is updated every 3-4 months.
The main benefit here is that you can plan the maintenance of your server.
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Run B2B SaaS? Okay, then plan it for Sunday morning, when companies go to sleep.
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Run B2C app? Create it for Monday morning and let users be at work or school.
Also, you can have multiple server instances and avoid downtime completely!
Storing Files/Assets
Using traditional hosting, you likely save every file your users upload to the same server.
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Are the files secure?
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What happens if your machine fails to function when the backup service hasn't been running for the entire week?
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How can you expand when your project experiences rapid growth?
Google Cloud has storage "buckets" where you can place your files to ensure they're not kept on a specific server.
A bucket can be open, meaning you can save public images in it, for instance. A bucket could also be secured so that you can read and write data through the server. This is the way to save invoices and other secure documents.
Scalability
This is the greatest problem your company could face. But, if you're faced with it, you're aware of how to fix it.
Create a backup from your VM instance and install additional instances. Or, you can tune your server (CPU, RAM, etc.) to ensure it's adequate.
Google Cloud Platform Disadvantages
There are, of course, certain Google Cloud disadvantages; in the simplest terms:
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The cost of cloud hosting can be higher than that of traditional web hosting. However, truthfully, it's worth security.
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Google Cloud DNS is still slower than CloudFlare, so it is better to consider CloudFlare for DNS resolution.
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No support for free. However, Google Cloud has extensive documentation, and we've not had difficulties implementing any features to date.
Google Cloud Vs. Microsoft Azure Cloud
Comparing and contrasting Google Cloud vs. Azure features can be a challenge and lengthy. Each of the providers now offers more than 100 cloud-based services.
Even if they provide the same product but with distinct names for the product they are comparing. It is easy to lose yourself among the exact details.
Google Cloud Vs Microsoft Azure Cloud: Storage
#Azure Storage:
Storage Services
Microsoft Azure's core storage features include Blob Storage for object storage using REST of unstructured data and Queue Storage for heavy-duty workloads, File Storage, and Disk Storage.
In addition, data Lake Store is also a Data Lake Store that is ideal for large-scale data applications.
Extensive Database
The Azure database choices are incredibly wide. There are 3 SQL options available: SQL Database and Database for PostgreSQL.
There is also the Data Warehouse service, in addition to Cosmos Data Warehouse, as well as Table Storage for NoSQL. Redis Cache is its in-memory service. The Server Stretch Database is its hybrid storage solution, created specifically for companies that use Microsoft SQL Server in their data centers.
Compared to AWS, Microsoft offers the basic Backup service and the Site Recovery service, and Archive Storage.
#Google Storage
Unified Storage and More
GCP offers a variety of storage options available. Cloud Storage is its unified object storage service and offers the option of Persistent Disk.
In addition, cloud Storage offers Transfer Appliances like AWS Snowball and online transfer services.
SQL and NoSQL
In terms of database options, GCP has the SQL-based Cloud SQL and a relational database known as Cloud Spanner designed for workloads requiring a high level of the mission.
In addition, there are two NoSQL alternatives: Cloud Bigtable and Cloud Datastore. Unfortunately, it doesn't offer archives or backup options.
#Security
Azure
The most prominent security feature on the Azure cloud platform is the Active Directory feature. Azure cloud-based platform is Azure Active Directory.
Active Directory is the centralized authentication service created by Microsoft to secure the authentication of Windows devices and supported software. Azure Active Directory allows you to integrate the local Active Directory of your local Active Directory domain with Azure Active Directory on the cloud.
Additionally, you can set up Active Directory federation services.
Google Cloud Platform
Google Cloud Platform is more centralized, much like Azure. When Google introduced Google cloud-based services, they were designed to be compatible with other services.
Therefore, they were launched simultaneously (in AWS, services were introduced periodically, which resulted in). The projects in your account are segregated from one another by default.
Cloud Security Command Center in Google Cloud is equivalent to Azure Security Center. The security level available in Google Cloud is somewhere in between AWS and Azure security.
#Hybrid and Multicloud Options
Azure Hybrid and Multicloud
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Azure Arc
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Azure Stack
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Azure Active Directory
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Azure Backup
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Azure Blob Storage
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Azure Security Center
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Azure Centinel
Google Hybrid and Multicloud
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Anthos
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Looker
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Operations
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Cloud Build
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Traffic Director
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Cloud Run for Anthos
#Pricing
Azure Pricing
Microsoft Azure doesn't make things any easier. Due to the complexity of Microsoft's licensing options for software and its discounts based on situations, the pricing structure of Microsoft Azure can be difficult to comprehend without assistance from outside or with a lot of expertise.
Google Pricing
In contrast, Google uses its pricing to differentiate itself. It strives to offer "customer-friendly" pricing that is competitive with the prices listed by other cloud providers.
Gartner said, "Google uses deep discounts and highly flexible contracts to get contracts from customers who are currently spending large amounts of money with cloud providers."
Google Vs. Azure: Which is the Best Choice for You?
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, choosing the right cloud service provider for you will depend on the needs of your business and workload.
In reality, the most suitable provider for your projects may not be the most suitable supplier for other projects. However, many experts think that most companies are investing heavily in Multicloud.
The Azure Choice
The main reason Microsoft has a huge appeal is its Microsoft stores. So everything you have in your .Net software will be compatible with Azure cloud solution.
Your server environment will be connected to Azure, and you'll be able to move easily to on-premises applications. Furthermore, Azure's relentless concentration on the hybrid cloud can help you connect your data center environment to the rapidly growing (and rich in features) Microsoft cloud.
The Google Choice
Google is expanding quickly; however, it's still a work-in-progress in the making. Naturally, the search engine has no experience in dealing with business.
However, it's fully committed and has invested billions of dollars into its cloud initiatives. It is also partnering with Cisco, a seasoned partner in the needs of the enterprise. People who should look at Google today are the ones who did one year ago but were not impressed with what they observed.
They may be amazed. Google has built its cloud around its strengths: size and machine learning. It's worth a look.
The Key Takeaway
When comparing the two cloud giants, we've covered the same answer as many searches for: which one is superior, Google Cloud or Azure?
After having done a lot of research and compiling our findings, the truth is that we're not sure. Both companies offer an amazing selection of high-quality goods and services with numerous pros that outweigh any negatives.
