Since the introduction of the cloud, “business as usual” has transformed. This technology has allowed companies to better their IT performances, and ultimately, their services for consumers.
Just a few years ago, the cloud was a nearly incomprehensible concept to the world. Now, nearly every business uses the cloud and some even sell cloud computing services to other enterprises. Most recently, Verizon Internet and IBM announced their cloud computing services. And other major companies, like Cisco and Amazon have been in the business for several years.
With the right tool, you can manage the cloud, cut costs and use your resources most efficiently. Here are four tools your company can use for a successful cloud computing experience:
1. Cloudyn
Cloudyn offers several tools exclusively focused on Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud but will soon include Microsoft Azure, GoGrid and Rackspace. The tools help corporate IT gain financial intelligence in cloud investments while improving performance.
The average user saves approximately 40% of cloud-related costs. Use the Reserved Instance Navigator to purchase EC2 and RDS instances, reduce spending, manage RI inventory and simulate RI costs. Use the S3 Tracker to analyze how your storage is used so you can better your efficiency. In addition to these tools, four other tools are available to help save you money and enhance your business.
2. Enstratius
Whether your business has a public, private or a hybrid cloud, Enstratius can help. The tool can be aligned with the governance and security requirements of a business. With Enstratius, you can easily manage each enterprise-class application in an effective manner.
The many features make this one of the best cross-platform cloud management tools. Login just once to manage every cloud resource. According to computerworld.com, “Features include self-service provision/de-provisioning; multi-currency cost/chargeback tracking; [and] customizable role-based access control.”
3. RightScale
RightScale has many other tools beat in experience. It’s been around since 2006 and has helped launch millions of servers. According to computerweekly.com, there are four main parts of RightScale. The first is a cloud management environment. You’ll also find a multi-cloud engine as well as an adaptable automation engine. Last, RightScale offers a cloud-ready ServerTemplate and Best Practice Deployment Library.
The cloud workload management service has a popular tool, PlanForCloud, that uses statistics to estimate cloud spending and to help companies save. Best of all, there is a free edition of RightScale that includes a web-based dashboard and can aid with configuration and management.
4. Puppet Enterprise
This IT automation software allows for the ultimate management experiences in the cloud or On-Premises. According to its website, Puppet Enterprise “gives system administrators the power to easily automate repetitive tasks, quickly deploy critical applications, and proactively manage infrastructure.”
This tool helps out from the start of the IT infrastructure lifecycle to the end. It allows users to discover cloud nodes, to reuse previously-used configuration modules, deploy updates across multiple servers at once and even more! There is a free version of this software that allows you to manage 10 nodes.
By Elizabeth Phillips,
Elizabeth is a former IT professional who is currently freelance writing. She can be found reading about the latest and greatest trends in the IT world and typing away on her laptop in Philadelphia, PA.
