Cloud Insider

A balanced approach to AI platform selection

How to avoid cloud whiplash

Rapid cloud adoption has left many enterprises needing help with their technology infrastructure. These simple rules will keep the pain to a minimum.

Does AI make us dependent on Big Tech?

There is widespread fear in the securities and finance sectors that using generative AI will force companies to rely on giant cloud companies.

A CISO game plan for cloud security

CISOs are still hampered by bad assumptions and outdated approaches. They should be involved in decisions from day 1 to address unique business needs.

Generative AI agents will revolutionize AI architecture

AI agents offer flexibility and autonomy as they plan and complete complex tasks that traditionally require human involvement.

The power of genAI plus multicloud architecture

The explosive growth of generative AI drives the multicloud model. But be prepared because it’s going to cost more money.

What’s your plan for the cloud skills gap?

It's old news that no one in IT can find enough talent to build and run modern IT solutions. AI won’t save you, so start looking at other options.

Partitioning an LLM between cloud and edge

Using edge systems to run elements of generative AI could be game-changing. It requires planning and skill, but this hybrid approach may be the future.

The cloud repatriation tempest in a teacup

Leaving the cloud is not a matter of choosing between two clear-cut options. Few enterprises go completely data center or completely cloud.

How to improve cloud-based generative AI performance

The problems can be hard to find but easy to solve. With a proactive approach and best practices, you can avoid unhappy users and a damaged business reputation.

Is generative AI bringing back private clouds?

Many enterprises are dusting off the private cloud strategies that lost out to the allure of the public cloud. Is this the right move?

Need GPUs? Take a look at microclouds

There’s definitely more uncertainty in going with a microcloud provider, but choosing a smaller company for your GPU services may pay off big in the end.

Cloud environments beyond the Big Three

The idea of decentralizing cloud computing has been overshadowed by AI, but frustration with high cloud prices has boosted interest in other options.

Does cloud security have a bad reputation?cyberthreats

It seems to be fair game now to label cloud security as risky even though your data is likely safer there than on premises.

Does cloud security deserve a bad reputation?

It seems to be fair game now to label cloud security as risky even though your data is likely safer there than on premises.

‘Architecture by conference’ is a really bad idea

Using the generic architecture you saw at a conference for your company's unique business needs is a surefire way to waste money and time.

How cloud cost visibility impacts business and employment

New data reveals some interesting information about cloud cost management and the fear of being fired. Should we rethink our approaches?

The temptation of AI as a service

Enterprises may find it faster and easier to deploy their AI models in a public cloud that runs them as a service. AWS is jumping on this trend.

The cloud is not a slam dunk platform for generative AI

With public cloud providers chasing generative AI, it may be a surprise when dollars flow in other directions. Vendors and customers have a lot to consider.

3 secrets to deploying LLMs on cloud platforms

Let’s not make the same mistakes we did 10 years ago. It is possible to deploy large language models in the cloud more cost-effectively and with less risk.

The cloud is benefiting IT, but not business

A recent study shows that the cloud benefits the IT department more than other business areas. That’s not enough to make it a success.

ESG tools for cloud computing can be a distraction

ESG scores can be a helpful tool in the pursuit of sustainability. But they won’t look deep into your architecture to see if poor design is wasting money and energy.

AI advancements are fueling cloud infrastructure spending

It’s no surprise that AI will be a gold mine for cloud providers. However, if vendors and customers move too far in the wrong direction, we’ll waste business value for years.

There’s more to cloud architecture than GPUs

Many systems architects already see too much focus on processors for generative AI systems and not enough attention on other vital components.

The dawn of eco-friendly systems development

How much carbon is your software responsible for? Awareness of power consumption and accountability for it are the first steps in a green development cycle.

Ethics makes a comeback in cloud-based systems

Interest in doing the right thing is extending to IT systems beyond AI. This is good, even if mainly motivated by the fear of legal or financial consequences.

Is Kubernetes worth it?

A dirty little secret in the cloud world is that container workloads have a higher total cost of ownership than they should.

A change in the machine learning landscape

AI models that use data where it exists rather than centralizing it require stronger privacy and security measures. Introducing the RoPPFL framework.

Why public cloud providers are cutting egress fees

Enterprise IT sees these fees as arbitrary and annoying, and cloud providers are taking notice. However, it’s not all about customer goodwill.

Why your generative AI systems are stupid

Generative AI systems for business are alarmingly inaccurate. Data needs some serious attention to avoid wrong info, bias, or legal trouble.

Are the different public clouds really that different?

Cloud providers are becoming commoditized, so you have to be careful to determine where the best value lies.

Why we need both cloud engineers and cloud architects

Let’s clear up the confusion around the semantics of these critical roles. They offer a combo of strategic vision and on-the-ground development skills.

Questioning cloud’s environmental impact

Cloud can be a green technology, but not without significant planning and up-front work that most enterprises are reluctant to fund.

What’s going on with cloud finops?

Recent reports supply old and new information about finops. Financial priorities are changing, and more employee training is needed.

When cloud AI lands you in court

It’s clear that AI, including generative AI, will be tested in the courts. Cloud and AI architects must practice defensive design and governance to stay out of trouble.

Improving performance in hybrid cloud deployments

Avoid the stereotype that hybrid cloud is inefficient by implementing measurable objectives, customized architecture, and continuous testing and monitoring.

Mainframes are dead! Long live cloud computing!

Not so fast. Mainframes have more staying power than most understand. Let’s look at the realities of mainframe technology and the people who operate it.

3 killer apps for cloud-based generative AI

Natural language generation, recommendation systems, and anomaly detection are good opportunities to create strong business value with genAI.

Why companies are leaving the cloud

Cloud is a good fit for modern applications, but most enterprise workloads aren’t exactly modern. Security problems and unmet expectations are sending companies packing.

How to assemble a generative AI dream team

A lot of different skills are needed to create a system that can do the most for your business. Here’s a description of the important roles.

Cloud migration is still a pain

Without a magic bullet, enterprises need to do the hard work of optimizing their cloud workloads, especially before jumping into generative AI.

Most cloud-based genAI performance stinks

Without basic computer architecture best practices, generative AI systems are sluggish. Here are a few tips to optimize complex systems.

Is API design a lost art?

We’re getting too much latency from poorly designed, developed, and deployed cloud-based APIs and services. It’s time to brush up on testing and monitoring.

Most cloud failures have nothing to do with cloud

The verdict is in. Most cloud computing failures can be traced back to very human mistakes. What (expensive) lessons have we learned?

Beware of hidden cloud fees

Cloud providers are stacking up 'junk fees' and enterprises are pushing back. Here are a few tips to better negotiate and manage those fees.

Do you need GPUs for generative AI systems?

There is so much interest in GPUs for generative AI deployment and for some good reasons. However, in some cases, they are overkill and too expensive.

How finops can make the cloud more secure

Finops offers obvious financial benefits, but security may be its secret weapon. It's time to have the finops and security teams combine their efforts.

Why most companies suck at digital transformation

Research agrees: Most businesses need help with cloud-focused digital transformation efforts. Luckily, most wounds are self-inflicted and easily avoided.

Why cloud architects make big bucks

Survey after survey will tell you what most hiring managers already know. You can find good cloud architects, but it will cost you.

You should be worried about cloud squatting

Just when you thought you knew all the ways hackers could access your data on a public cloud, a new threat has emerged. Luckily, the fixes are manageable.