In this video, we explore a surprising move made by a major industry leader: transitioning from a microservices architecture to a monolithic system. While microservices are typically celebrated for their flexibility and scalability, they can also introduce significant challenges such as high costs, complex orchestration, and intricate management. Faced with these issues, this company decided to make a bold change.

By shifting to a monolithic architecture, they managed to significantly reduce operational expenses and enhance system performance. This strategic pivot resulted in a dramatic cost reduction while improving scalability and user experience. The video delves into why this change might indicate a turning point in how we perceive microservices.

The cloud computing landscape is rapidly evolving, presenting public cloud providers with both challenges and opportunities. One of the primary challenges is the rising cost of cloud services, as highlighted by a Civo survey involving over 500 industry professionals who expressed concerns about the financial burden. This has led enterprises to reconsider on-premises solutions, especially for stable workloads that benefit from lower hardware costs.

Despite these challenges, the cloud offers key benefits such as agility and scalability, which remain attractive to many organizations. As enterprises become more adept at managing multicloud environments, they optimize costs and reduce dependency on single providers. This strategic shift necessitates public cloud providers to adapt by offering competitive pricing and innovative services to maintain customer loyalty.

Deciding whether to attend major cloud computing conferences involves weighing the benefits and drawbacks. On the pro side, these conferences offer valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders, enhance knowledge and skills through workshops and keynotes, and can potentially advance your career by exposing you to new opportunities and ideas. They also provide inspiration and motivation by showcasing the latest innovations and success stories in the field.

Conversely, there are cons to consider. Attending these conferences can be costly, with expenses including registration, travel, and accommodations. They also require a significant time commitment, which may interfere with daily responsibilities. Additionally, the sheer volume of information can be overwhelming, and networking in such large crowds can be challenging.

When deciding whether to attend, consider your personal and organizational goals, evaluate the conference agenda and reputation, and weigh the potential return on investment. If you choose to attend, plan strategically, engage actively, and follow up on new connections to maximize the benefits.

There are many more than 4 things that have been proven to be wrong. • Industry pushback against me. 1. The cloud’s primary benefit is CapEx vs. OpEx. It was never about CapEx vs. OpEx. 2. The cloud is always cheaper than on-premises. The cloud is most often not cheaper than on-premises options. 3. All applications and data sets will eventually be in “the cloud.” Not all applications and data sets will move to the “cloud.” 4. The cloud drives more simplicity. Using the cloud drives more complexity, leading to higher operational costs.

Join us for an insightful interview with David Linthicum and Doug Merritt, CEO of Aviatrix, as we delve into groundbreaking strategies in cloud networking and AI data management. The discussion will highlight how Aviatrix is leading innovation in cloud networking by offering services to boost performance, security, and transparency across various clouds. This event, also available on X and YouTube, will explore how these strategies have the potential to significantly lower costs, addressing critical pain points for multi-cloud customers. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from industry leaders! 

What is "AI Washing"? 01:23 1. Definition: • "AI washing refers to rebranding or marketing cloud computing, or any enterprise technologies as AI technologies, even when the AI element is minimal or non-existent." 2. Historical Context: • "This is like earlier trends like 'greenwashing,' or ‘cloud washing,’ where companies overstate their environmental initiatives to appear more eco-friendly or rebrand any enterprise technology as a “cloud.” Benefits for Enterprise Technology Providers 03:49 1. Increased Market Appeal: • "Rebranding as AI can attract more customers keen on integrating cutting-edge technologies into their operations." 2. Higher Valuation: • "Companies branded as AI-driven often enjoy higher valuations, making it easier to attract investment and partnerships." 3. Enhanced Perception: • "AI is seen as the future of technology, so being associated with AI can enhance a company's reputation and perceived innovation." Downsides for Enterprise Technology Providers 05:20 1. Customer Distrust: • "If customers feel they're being misled, it can lead to a lack of trust and damage to the provider's reputation." 2. Regulatory Scrutiny: • "Increased scrutiny from regulators might occur if the AI claims are seen as deceptive or unsubstantiated." SEC is weighing in. 3. Increased Expectations: • "Rebranding as AI can set high expectations that can be difficult to meet, leading to customer dissatisfaction." Downsides for Enterprise Technology Customers 1. Misaligned Expectations: • "Customers may invest in technologies that don't deliver the promised AI functionalities, wasting resources and time." 2. Overpayment: • "Clients might end up paying premium prices for services that are just rebranded versions of traditional cloud solutions." 3. Complexity and Integration Issues: • "Integrating pseudo-AI technologies into existing workflows may lead to unnecessary complexity without significant benefits." How you can avoid. 06:54 1. Ask questions. 2. Check references. 3. Do research. 4. Ask: “Does is matter?” Conclusion 09:55 1. Balanced Perspective: • "While AI offers transformative potential, it's crucial for providers and customers to engage in transparent and informed discussions about what AI can truly deliver."

5 Cloud career hacks: 1. Continuous Learning through Micro-Certifications. 01:23 •

Nano Degrees: Enroll in specialized nano degree programs that are increasingly being offered by platforms like Udacity, LinkedIn Learning, GoCloudCareers, or Coursera on cloud technologies. • Employers pay for these. • Post on social media, tag your company, your leaders, and fellow employees. 2. Develop a Niche Expertise. 04:09 •

Specialized Domains: Focus on niche areas such as cloud security, cloud-native application development, or multi-cloud management. 3. Write Technical Blogs, create a Podcast, or Create a YouTube channel. 05:31 •

Content Creation: publish technical blogs, podcasts, or videos on platforms to to share your knowledge and attract attention from industry experts. • Use LinkedIn, Substack, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Etc. and again tag your company, your leaders, and fellow employees. • Can’t be one-and-done. • Using written words, podcasts, or video platforms. 4. Teach and Mentor. 07:41 •

Skill Sharing: Offer to teach cloud computing courses at local community colleges or become a mentor at an online coding bootcamp. • Using YouTube to post mico-course, 5 mins or less. 5. Build a Strong GitHub Profile. 08:59 •

Public Repositories: Maintain a well-documented and active GitHub profile showcasing your cloud projects and contributions.

Commonly Misunderstood Cloud Myths and the Realities Behind Them

1. Myth: Public Cloud Cannot Meet Specific Compliance Requirements. 01:02 Reality: Public cloud providers often comply with a wide range of regulatory standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC  They undergo rigorous audits and offer tools and services to help customers maintain regulatory compliance. This includes encryption services, data localization controls, and detailed audit trails.

2. Myth: You Lose Ownership of Your Data in the Cloud. 02:28 Reality: Cloud service agreements usually specify that customers retain ownership of their data. While the cloud provider manages infrastructure and access, the customer maintains full ownership and control. Legal frameworks and SLAs ensure customers can manage, retrieve, and delete their data as required.

3. Myth: Cloud Services Automatically Scale Without Planning. 03:25 Reality: Scalability in the cloud requires strategic planning and management. Organizations need to understand the mechanics of vertical scaling (adding resources to an existing server) and horizontal scaling (adding more servers) to ensure efficient resource management. Monitoring and proactive management are key to effective scalability.

4. Myth: Cloud is Always Cheaper Than On-Premises Solutions. 04:53 Reality: Although cloud computing can reduce capital expenditure and offer pay-as-you-go pricing models, it is not always cheaper. Businesses must conduct a total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, considering long-term costs including data transfer fees, operational expenses, and potential for cost increases over time.

5. Myth: Cloud Computing is Inherently Less Secure than On-Premises. 06:46 Reality: Leading cloud providers invest heavily in security infrastructure, often surpassing the security measures available in typical on-premises setups. They leverage advanced threat detection, regular security audits, and dedicated security teams to enhance overall security.

Overview: In this episode, we delve into the enduring importance of mainframes within the rapidly evolving technological landscape, despite the advent and growth of cloud and edge computing. The discussion focuses on why mainframes continue to be indispensable for certain organizations and workloads.

In this episode, "5 Tips to Land Your Dream Cloud Computing Job," we provide expert advice to help you secure your ideal role in cloud technology. We cover defining your dream job, crafting an elevator pitch, and the importance of continuous learning. You'll learn how to target the right companies, evaluate consulting opportunities, and set up effective job alerts. We also discuss assessing company culture and benefits, as well as negotiating job offers. Tune in for actionable strategies to navigate and thrive in the cloud computing job market!