Public cloud infrastructure has evolved into a critical strategic asset for countless organizations, prompting Infrastructure and Operations (I&O) leaders to move beyond just assessing a cloud provider’s capabilities. Recently, Gartner released the Magic Quadrant for Strategic Cloud Platform Services (SCPS), categorizing leading service providers as niche players, visionaries, leaders, and challengers. This list will enable I&O leaders aptly to choose an SCPS provider aligned with their business objectives.
Let’s delve into the companies that have earned coveted spots in this year’s Magic Quadrant.
1. Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud secures its position as a Niche Player in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant. While commanding a robust market presence in China, Alibaba Cloud facilitates Chinese enterprises in expanding globally through its international cloud infrastructure. Alibaba Cloud shows prowess in private cloud solutions, container management services, and custom-designed ASICs. While providing an extensive range of capabilities within its domestic market, the company’s international services demonstrate promise, underscored by enhancements in the power usage effectiveness (PUE) rating of its data centers.
2. Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Amazon Web Services (AWS) emerges as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant, solidifying its position as a comprehensive provider of cloud infrastructure and platform services across a broad spectrum of IT use cases. AWS’s unwavering focus on enterprise digital transformation, particularly through workload migration and modernization programs, has contributed to its leading global IaaS+PaaS market share exceeding 40%. The recent partnership with Anthropic underscores AWS’s commitment to advancing generative AI strategies.
3. Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google secures its position as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant with the Google Cloud Platform (GCP). GCP addresses nearly all IaaS and PaaS use cases, appealing to enterprises aiming to replace legacy infrastructure with container-based or serverless alternatives. Google excels through its decisive stance on cloud architecture, empowering organizations to harness advancements in big data and AI innovations. Google’s commitment to AI/ML is evident through its Vertex AI toolset and the development of large language models like PaLM 2.
4. Huawei Cloud
Huawei Cloud, positioned as a Niche Player, predominantly operates in China but has expanded its international presence in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Catering to large and midsize enterprises with a hybrid IT orientation, Huawei Cloud focuses on enhancing services for application development enablement. With an emphasis on global expansion, Huawei Cloud competes against other leading Chinese cloud providers, leveraging its investment focus to enter new regions.
5. IBM Cloud
IBM, categorized as a Niche Player, operates globally with a focus on IaaS, container, and data-related services. Since the acquisition of Red Hat in 2019, Red Hat OpenShift has become the foundational layer for IBM’s PaaS offerings. IBM’s investment focus includes hybrid and distributed cloud, regulated industries, and industry-focused cloud services. Tailored options cater to large and midsize enterprises with existing investments in IBM technologies.
6. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft, positioned as a Leader, stands out with its Microsoft Azure platform, excelling across all use cases and is particularly well-suited for Microsoft-centric organizations with a hybrid cloud strategy. Microsoft’s global partner channel strengthens its appeal to small and midsize customers worldwide. Investments span across IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with Azure supporting additional cloud offerings like Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, GitHub, and Power Platform.
7. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)
Oracle, acknowledged as a Leader, boasts the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), supporting diverse x86-based IT workloads through a blend of bare metal, IaaS, and PaaS services. Oracle differentiates itself with enhanced support for Oracle Applications, aggressive IaaS pricing, multicloud services, and a wide array of distributed and sovereign cloud options. OCI’s growth extends beyond existing Oracle customers, attracting new customers in recent years.
8. Tencent Cloud
Tencent Cloud secures its spot as a Niche Player, with a special focus on serving multinationals operating in China and Chinese enterprises expanding overseas. Distinguishing itself through cloud-native services, Tencent Cloud has shifted its focus from gaming and social workloads to expanding into additional IT markets. Offering flexible private pricing and incentives for core customers, Tencent Cloud demonstrates its ability to meet scale and performance challenges.
In summary, Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for Strategic Cloud Platform Services acts as a valuable resource for organizations seeking tailored cloud solutions aligned with their distinct needs and objectives.
Source: Gartner
