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Tag: Thomas Kurian

  • Google Invests $300M in AI Startup Founded by OpenAI VP

    Google Invests $300M in AI Startup Founded by OpenAI VP

    Google is continuing its quest to come up with an answer to OpenAI’s ChatGPT, investing in a rival founded by a former OpenAI VP.

    Google has reportedly invested $300 million in Anthropic, founded by Dario Amodei. Amodei previously worked at OpenAI, ultimately rising to VP of Research, before leaving to found Anthropic in early 2021.

    The injection of cash from Google is part of a partnership that will see Anthropic adopt Google Cloud.

    “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Google Cloud on training and deploying useful AI systems,” said Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei. “We’ve been impressed with Google Cloud’s open and flexible infrastructure. We are excited to partner with Google to scale-up our systems in the coming months.”

    “AI has evolved from academic research to become one of the biggest drivers of technological change, creating new opportunities for growth and improved services across all industries,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. “Google Cloud is providing open infrastructure for the next generation of AI startups, and our partnership with Anthropic is a great example of how we’re helping users and businesses tap into the power of reliable and responsible AI.”

    As part of the deal, Anthropic will run its Claude AI model on Google Cloud. Claude’s capabilities are believed to be competitive with the much-hyped ChatGPT.

    The deal is reminiscent of Microsoft’s multibillion investment in OpenAI, albeit on a smaller scale. Microsoft and Google both see AI as a way to revolutionize search, as well as a plethora of other fields.

    With Microsoft already at work to integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into Bing, it’s not surprising to see Google invest in one of OpenAI’s rivals in an effort to catch up.

  • Google Cloud Will Reportedly Unfreeze Hiring by October

    Google Cloud Will Reportedly Unfreeze Hiring by October

    Google Cloud will reportedly unfreeze hiring by October amid an industry-wide hiring freeze and layoffs.

    According to Business Insider, Brad Calder, Google Cloud’s vice president of technical infrastructure, sent a memo to employees to inform them of the change. Calder said the company was unfreezing hiring “for a few areas.”

    “We plan to complete this process by the start of October,” he added.

    At the same time, Calder said leadership will provide employees “clearer prioritization across our top priorities” for the coming year.

    “We have too many Code Yellows and Purples, too many Horizontals, and we have some key programs where the requirements won’t be figured out until we get deeper into understanding them,” he wrote.

    According to Insider, “Code Yellow” is a problem severe enough that it could result in outages over the next quarter, while “Code Purple” issues could escalate to Code Yellow within the next year if not fixed.

    Google CEO Thomas Kurian has made it clear he wants to leap-frog Microsoft to become the number two cloud provider in the US within the next few years. The company has made impressive headway and is popular among developers.

    A long-term hiring freeze could have severely impacted Kurian’s plans, depriving the company of the talent it needs to continue taking on its larger rivals. Unfreezing hiring is likely a smart move to help the company continue its current growth.

  • Google Cloud Exec Fires Back at Microsoft’s Cloud Licensing Terms

    Google Cloud Exec Fires Back at Microsoft’s Cloud Licensing Terms

    A Google Cloud exec is firing back at Microsoft’s cloud computing licensing changes, accusing the company of not ‘addressing core customer concerns.’

    Microsoft drew the ire of smaller EU cloud providers over terms that made it more expensive for Office 365 customers to use third-party cloud providers, rather than Microsoft’s Azure. The company outlined its plans to address the complaints and work to more fairly treat its smaller competitors earlier this week.

    Despite Microsoft’s efforts to allay concerns, its rivals are not convinced, with Google Cloud Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy Marcus Jadotte slamming Microsoft’s announcement:

    Jadotte contrasted Microsoft’s approach with Google’s, with the latter focused on openness and a multi-cloud approach:

    Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian has made no secret of his desire to move from third-place to second-place in the cloud market. As part of that goal, Google has been positioning itself as a multi-cloud provider.

    It remains to be seen if Microsoft’s actions will be enough to prevent a regulatory response from the EU, but it certainly hasn’t won any praise from its biggest competitors.

  • Former VMware, Cisco Exec Joins Google Cloud As Global VP

    Former VMware, Cisco Exec Joins Google Cloud As Global VP

    Google has hired Dominick Delfino as Global Vice President of Cyber Security Sales, following positions with some of the leading tech companies.

    Google Cloud has been working to expand its presence in the cloud market. While Google Cloud is currently in third-place, CEO Thomas Kurian has set his sights on moving into second-place within the next few years. As part of that goal, he has slowly been reshaping the company’s leadership to better align with his vision.

    Delfino is the latest part of that reshaping, sharing the news on LinkedIn that he accepted a position at Google Cloud:

    “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Global Vice President – Cyber Security Sales at Google! “

    Delfino previously served as Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Nutanix, CRO at Pure Storage, Senior VP at VMware, and VP at Cisco.

  • Google Takes Aim at AWS With AlloyDB for PostgreSQL

    Google Takes Aim at AWS With AlloyDB for PostgreSQL

    Google has unveiled AlloyDB for PostgreSQL and taken aim at industry leader AWS and its Aurora PostgreSQL service.

    PostreSQL is an advanced database that offers many advantages over other options, including object support, security, concurrency, and performance. As such, it is often the preferred choice for enterprise and mission-critical applications. Google is now offering a “preview of AlloyDB for PostgreSQL, a fully-managed, PostgreSQL-compatible database service.”

    According to Andi Gutmans, Google Cloud GM and VP of Engineering for Databases, AlloyDB is 4X faster than traditional PostgreSQL for transactional workloads, and up to 100 times faster at analytical queries. Gutmans says AlloyDB is twice as fast at transactional workloads than Amazon’s Aurora PosgreSQL service.

    “AlloyDB is the next major milestone in our journey to support customers’ heterogeneous migrations,” Gutmans writes. “For example, we recently added Oracle-to-PostgreSQL schema conversion and data replication capabilities to our Database Migration Service, while our new Database Migration Program helps you accelerate your move to the cloud with tooling and incentive funding.”

    AlloyDB’s core “is an intelligent, database-optimized storage service built specifically for PostgreSQL.” The service uses the same building blocks that Google uses for its own services, disaggregating compute and storage. The service also includes embed AI/ML, along with automatic data tiering.

    Google’s customers already seem pleased with the performance gains they’re experiencing from AlloyDB.

    “We have been so delighted to try out the new AlloyDB for PostgreSQL service. With AlloyDB, we have significantly increased throughput, with no application changes to our PostgreSQL workloads. And since it’s a managed service, our teams can spend less time on database operations, and more time on value added tasks.”—Sofian Hadiwijaya, CTO and Co-Founder, Warung Pintar

    Google is currently in third place in the cloud market, but services like this could help it make up significant ground.

    Customers can try out AlloyDB for PostgreSQL here.

  • Google Cloud Losing EU Talent to AWS

    Google Cloud Losing EU Talent to AWS

    Google Cloud’s European division has a talent problem, as AWS has poached one of its top executives.

    Google Cloud is currently vying for position in the cloud market. Despite sitting in third place, CEO Thomas Kurian has made it clear he wants to take the number two spot within the next few years. Unfortunately for the company, it seems to be having trouble keeping its EU talent, something that could make competing decidedly difficult.

    According to Business Insider, telecoms chief Marielle Lindgren has left Google Cloud to take a position at AWS, one she has been raving about on LinkedIn.

    I am happy to share that I have started a new position as General Manager Nordics, Baltics & Benelux at Amazon Web Services…Two weeks in, and I am amazed about all the inspiring colleagues I have met, and the great opportunity that lies ahead. Thank you all Amazonians for the warm welcome! Looking forward to a very exciting time.

    Lindgren’s departure comes on the heels of several others, including Chris Ciauri in March 2021, Pip White who went back to Salesforce in June, and Sanj Bhayro who went to Intercome in November. The latter two were both recruited by Ciauri from Salesforce, where the trio had previously worked.

    If Google Cloud is going to overtake Microsoft for the number two spot, let alone challenge AWS for the top spot, the company will need to do a better job of keeping its talent from abandoning ship.

  • Google Buying Mandiant For $5.4 Billion

    Google Buying Mandiant For $5.4 Billion

    Google and Mandiant have confirmed a deal for Google to acquire the cybersecurity firm for $5.4 billion.

    Mandiant is a long-time, well-respected member of the cybersecurity community, dating back to its founding in 2004. The company was among the first to directly tie China to cyber espionage, raising its stature in the industry. Microsoft originally was in talks to purchase Mandiant, but ultimately abandoned negotiations over concerns the company wasn’t a good fit, opening the way for Google to move in.

    Google sees Mandiant as a way to help it bolster cloud security, as Google Cloud continues to grow and challenge AWS and Microsoft Azure.

    “Cyber security is a mission, and we believe it’s one of the most important of our generation. Google Cloud shares our mission-driven culture to bring security to every organization,” said Kevin Mandia, CEO, Mandiant. “Together, we will deliver our expertise and intelligence at scale via the Mandiant Advantage SaaS platform, as part of the Google Cloud security portfolio. These efforts will help organizations to effectively, efficiently and continuously manage and configure their complex mix of security products.”

    “The Mandiant brand is synonymous with unmatched insights for organizations seeking to keep themselves secure in a constantly changing environment,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. “This is an opportunity to deliver an end-to-end security operations suite and extend one of the best consulting organizations in the world. Together we can make a profound impact in securing the cloud, accelerating the adoption of cloud computing, and ultimately make the world safer.”

    The deal must pass regulatory approval, and be approved by Mandiant stockholders. If everything goes well, the deal is expected to close later this year.

  • Verizon and Google Cloud Team Up to Deliver 5G Mobile Edge Computing

    Verizon and Google Cloud Team Up to Deliver 5G Mobile Edge Computing

    Verizon and Google Cloud are teaming up to deliver 5G mobile edge computing to customers.

    Edge computing is one of the areas 5G is poised to have a major impact on. Thanks to the speed of 5G, devices will be able to process data more efficiently, in real-time. This will help power a new generation of autonomous vehicles, robotics, factory automation, and more.

    Verizon and Google Cloud are working together to combine Google’s compute and storage services with Verizon’s On Site 5G and 5G Edge services.

    “By working with partners like Google Cloud and Ericsson, we’re building the 5G edge compute ecosystem that will enable enterprises in many industries to benefit from having a completely dedicated private network and edge compute infrastructure on premise,” said Rima Qureshi, Chief Strategy Officer at Verizon. “5G Edge with Google Distributed Cloud Edge will give our customers the ability to connect and manage a broad range of devices at scale and speed while also providing highly secure, near real-time connectivity. This will allow companies to unlock greater value from data and enable innovative applications involving computer vision, augmented and virtual reality, and machine learning.” 

    “Through our planet-scale infrastructure and expertise in data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, Google Cloud is enabling the rapid development and deployment of new services and applications,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. “By bringing intelligence from data centers to the network edge, Verizon 5G Edge with Google Distributed Cloud Edge will allow customers to build new cross-industry edge solutions, unlock new revenue models, and transform the next generation of customer experiences – from AI-driven in-store operations to live inventory management on the factory floor, the possibilities span multiple industries.”

  • Google and CME Group Announce 10-Year Partnership

    Google and CME Group Announce 10-Year Partnership

    Google and CME Group announced a 10-year partnership that will see the futures exchange operator transition to Google’s cloud platform.

    The financial sector is an increasingly lucrative field for cloud operators, with AWS, Microsoft and Google competing for advantage. Under the terms of the deal, CME will accelerate its move to the cloud, adopting Google’s platform and giving the number three cloud provider a big win.

    “Through this long-term partnership with Google Cloud, CME Group will transform derivatives markets through technology, expanding access and creating efficiencies for all market participants,” said Terry Duffy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, CME Group. “To ensure a smooth transition, we will work closely with clients to implement a phased approach. This partnership will enable CME Group to bring new products and services to market faster – all in a flexible and scalable environment that will create a wide range of opportunities for the marketplace.”

    Google also announced it has made a $1 billion equity investment in CME Group.

    “CME Group has a century-long track record of helping investors access new markets and is known for innovation in financial markets,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. “Bringing together CME Group’s best-in-class financial talent with Google Cloud’s deep engineering expertise will help accelerate technological innovation in capital markets infrastructure.”

  • Thomas Kurian Remaking Google Cloud Leadership to Be More Competitive

    Thomas Kurian Remaking Google Cloud Leadership to Be More Competitive

    Google Cloud is in third place in the cloud industry, but CEO Thomas Kurian is remaking its leadership in a bid to be more competitive.

    Kurian came to the top spot at Google via Oracle, and made no secret of his desire to move Google Cloud into second place within five years. Despite coming up on three years at Google, the company is still firmly in third place.

    According to Business Insider, much of the old guard has been leaving the cloud unit in favor of leadership that is loyal to Kurian, leadership he’s brought in from rivals Microsoft, Oracle and SAP. Urs Hölzle and Eyal Manor are two high-profile Google Cloud execs that have left the cloud unit for other roles within Google.

    “As Google Cloud grows, we regularly evaluate the best organizational structure to better scale our business and provide a world-class experience for our customers,” a Google Cloud spokesperson told Insider.

    Experts believe Kurian and Google are trying to remake the company’s image in an effort to attract customers and prove Google Cloud is a serious contender.

    “They’re shaking out some of the older people,” Dan Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus told Insider. “It’s a message that they’re trying to change and change the direction of the ship so they’re perceived more differently in the marketplace and can become profitable.”

    Morgan’s assessment goes hand-in-hand with other changes Google’s cloud unit has made to buff its image, including rolling out Google Enterprise APIs. Google has a well-established reputation for killing off projects, regardless of how beloved they might be, a reputation that doesn’t inspire confidence in companies looking to base their entire business around the company’s cloud platform. Enterprise APIs were introduced as a way of assuring customers they could rely on Google Cloud, and the features it offers, long-term.

    With only a couple of years left in his five-year goal, it remains to be seen if Kurian can drive Google Cloud into second place.

  • Google Lowers Third-Party Cloud Marketplace Fees

    Google Lowers Third-Party Cloud Marketplace Fees

    Google Cloud has made a major change in hopes of being more competitive, slashing the commission it charges for third-party cloud app sales.

    Much like Google or Apple’s app stores, cloud providers often charge a commission on third-party apps and services that vendors sell on their cloud marketplaces. Google had previously charged a 20% commission, but has lowered its fee to 3%.

    The move will help Google better compete with its rivals, and brings its revenue share percentage inline with them. According to CNBC, it’s estimated that AWS charges roughly 5%, while Microsoft reduced its fees from 20% to 3% in July.

    Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian has made no secret of his desire to help the company move from third to second place in the cloud industry within the next several years. Matching its rivals’ revenue share fees is critical if it wants to continue to attract developers and third-party vendors.

    “Our goal is to provide partners with the best platform and most competitive incentives in the industry,” a Google spokesperson told CNBC. “We can confirm that a change to our Marketplace fee structure is in the works, and we’ll have more to share on this soon.”

  • Google Investing $1.2 Billion in Its German Cloud Infrastructure

    Google Investing $1.2 Billion in Its German Cloud Infrastructure

    Google is investing $1.2 billion to expand its cloud infrastructure in Germany, and has committed to using more renewable energy.

    Google is currently the number three cloud provider worldwide, but CEO Thomas Kurian has made it his goal to take the number two spot within the next few years. The company is preparing to expand its infrastructure in Germany significantly, investing $1.2 billion by 2030, according to ABC News.

    The company’s expansion will be centered in the Berlin region, as well as the town of Hanau, near Frankfurt’s DE-CIX data exchange.

    Google is also planning to purchase more than 140 megawatts of electric from Engie, and says 80% of the electricity will be generated using carbon-free sources. Ultimately, by 2030, Google wants 100% of its energy to be renewable.

  • Google Cloud Promises Product Stability With Enterprise APIs

    Google Cloud Promises Product Stability With Enterprise APIs

    Google is working to convince its cloud customers they can count on it for product and feature stability with Google Enterprise APIs.

    Google has a long history of killing off its own products suddenly. App Maker, Loon, Google Hangouts, Google Play Music, Game Builder, Google Jump, Google+ and Chromebook Pixel are just a few of the projects and products Google has killed. 

    Unfortunately for the company, having a reputation for killing off its own products is not conducive to gaining cloud market share, a core goal of Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian. The company is now taking steps to address its reputation, with its new Enterprise APIs.

    At Google Cloud, we’ve been implementing programs to enhance your trust in our platform; for example, we introduced Mission Critical Services, a consultative offering for customers with top-tier Premium Support, and simplified launch stages, for greater predictability of our product roadmap. 

    Today, we’re taking it one step further by introducing designated Google Enterprise APIs, a label applied to the vast majority of APIs across Google Cloud, Google Workspace, and Google Maps Platform (not inclusive of our consumer APIs). Built for higher stability, Google Enterprise APIs are governed by new tenets, a stringent set of requirements about how and when we make changes to them. 

    Given Kurian’s goal of becoming the number two cloud provider in five years, in terms of market share, Enterprise APIs are a step in the right direction. In fact, it makes one wonder why the company didn’t take such a step sooner.

    Of course, if Google wasn’t so kill-happy with its own products, it wouldn’t need to do anything to convince customers it won’t kill its own products.

  • Google Cloud and Vodofone Partner to Create ‘Industry-First Global Data Platform’

    Google Cloud and Vodofone Partner to Create ‘Industry-First Global Data Platform’

    Google Cloud and Vodofone have partnered to create an “industry-first global data platform.”

    Vodofone is one of the leading telecom companies in Europe and Africa. The company is also a leading IoT connectivity provider. Vodofone wants to leverage Google Cloud to deliver “reliable and secure data analytics, insights, and learnings to support the introduction of new digital products and services for Vodafone customers simultaneously worldwide.”

    The two companies will be working together to build a data platform, called ‘Nucleus,’ which will house the ‘Dynamo’ system. The new system will be able to process roughly 50 TB of data per day. Vodofone has identified 700 use-cases for delivering new products and services, as well as using data to provide better insights and intelligence.

    In particular, Vodofone sees benefits for its TV content and connectivity services; using AI to make a digital replica of its internal support functions; helping data scientists collaborating on environmental and health issues, including COVID-19; and increasing the number of smart network services to better meet customers’ needs.

    “Vodafone is building a powerful foundation for a digital future,” said Johan Wibergh, Chief Technology Officer for Vodafone. “We have vast amounts of data which, when securely processed and made available across our footprint using the collective power of Vodafone and Google Cloud’s engineering expertise, will transform our services, to our customers and governments, and the societies where they live and serve.”

    “Telecommunications firms are increasingly differentiating their customer experiences through the use of data and analytics, and this has never been more important than during the current pandemic,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO at Google Cloud. “We are thrilled to be selected as Vodafone’s global strategic cloud partner for analytics and SAP, and to co-innovate on new products that will accelerate the industry’s digital transformation.”

  • Oracle Gets Boost From Barron’s Coverage of Company’s Cloud Business

    Oracle Gets Boost From Barron’s Coverage of Company’s Cloud Business

    Oracle’s stock has seen its best day in nearly a year on positive coverage of its cloud business by Barron’s, although some critics are not impressed.

    Oracle is the dominant company in the database business, and provides a range of middleware applications. The company has been working to gain a bigger portion of the cloud computing market, with mixed results.

    Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, a former Oracle executive, famously called Oracle Cloud “a disgrace.” The company has also faced a lawsuit claiming executives hid issues with Oracle’s ability to compete in the cloud market.

    On the other hand, Oracle has scored some significant winsagainst its larger rivals, gaining business from Albertsons, Humana, McDonald’s and Xactly. The company also poached 8×8 from AWS and saw Zoom use Oracle’s Cloud for its latest expansion.

    Barron’s featured an articled entitled: “Oracle Is Turning Into a Cloud Giant. Why Its Stock Is a Buy.” The article made the case that Oracle could leverage its existing software and services to help grow its cloud business, potentially becoming the next major cloud player.

    As a result of the coverage, Oracle stock rose 5%, it’s biggest single-day gains in nearly a year. Nonetheless, it remains to be seen if Barron’s optimism is warranted. As of 2018, Oracle doesn’t break out its cloud earnings in its quarterly reports, making it hard to judge just how well the company’s cloud business is growing.

    CNBC points out that Oracle only reported a 1.9% growth in revenue in its latest report, far short of the estimated 37% growth rate of the cloud market in 2019. Again, without knowing what role Oracle’s cloud business played in its quarterly results, it’s hard to get an accurate read on well its business is doing. At the same time, however, 1.9% is not an encouraging growth rate.

  • Google Cloud’s Business Is Taking Off

    Google Cloud’s Business Is Taking Off

    Google Cloud is back to business as normal, and focused on growth, following an initial slowdown as a result of the pandemic.

    Like many companies, Google had to find its footing when the pandemic first hit. Most industries, including tech, experienced a brief pullback before businesses started returning to normal.

    According to Business Insider, Google Cloud’s business is booming again, with the company hiring aggressively and selling its services, after initially focusing on helping customers survive the downturn.

    “Nothing has stopped because of the pandemic,” an employee told BI. “This is one of the strategies where we can see companies like [Amazon Web Services] and Google have the leverage to take in that pressure to accelerate. They reap the benefits much higher than everyone else. They’re going full force.”

    Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian has made no secret of his desire to move the company from third place in the cloud market to at least second place within five years. It appears the company is firing on all cylinders in its efforts to reach that goal after a difficult year.

  • Google Cloud Opens New Cloud Regions

    Google Cloud Opens New Cloud Regions

    Google Cloud has announced it has opened three new cloud regions, expanding its worldwide cloud presence.

    Google currently stands in third place, behind AWS and Microsoft Azure, in the cloud market. CEO Thomas Kurian has made it his stated goal to lead Google Cloud into at least the number two spot within five years. A big step in that direction is expanding Google’s cloud regions.

    “Today, we’re excited to announce the expansion of our global network with new cloud regions in Chile, Germany and Saudi Arabia,” writes Dave Stiver, Senior Product Manager, GeoExpansion. “When launched, each region will have three zones to protect against service disruptions, and include a portfolio of key Google Cloud products, while offering lower latency to nearby users and a more robust global network of regions for multinational enterprises. “

    Having local cloud regions enables Google Cloud customers to better serve their own customers’ needs.

    “Google Cloud is a strategic partner as we optimize our operations performance to better serve our customers around the world,” says Henning Krüger, VP Ops Suite at Lufthansa Group. “We’re digitizing our operations atop Google Cloud’s global infrastructure, and we’re using their machine learning capabilities to combine previously disparate systems and data feeds into one unified platform.”

  • Cloud Business Powers Oracle’s Quarterly Results

    Cloud Business Powers Oracle’s Quarterly Results

    Oracle announced its quarterly results and its cloud business was the star of the show.

    The company reported total revenue of $9.8 billion for the 2020 Q3 results, up 2% year-over-year. Most notably, its Cloud Services and License Support revenue came in at $6.9 billion, a 4% increase year-over-year.

    “We had an extremely strong quarter with Total Revenues growing 3% in constant currency,” said Oracle CEO, Safra Catz. “Subscription revenues, made up of Cloud Services and License Support revenues, grew 5% in constant currency. These consistently growing and recurring subscription revenues now account for 71% of total company revenues, thus enabling a sequential increase in our operating margin, and double-digit non-GAAP Earnings Per Share growth in Q3.”

    “The Oracle Autonomous Database, the world’s only fully autonomous data management system, can automatically patch security vulnerabilities while running; it keeps your data safe,” said Oracle Chairman and CTO, Larry Ellison. “Oracle Autonomous Database is also both serverless and elastic. It’s the only database that can instantaneously scale itself to an optimal level of CPU and IO resources. You only pay for what you use. Security and economy are two fundamental reasons why thousands of customers are now using the revolutionary new Oracle Autonomous Database in our Generation 2 Public Cloud.”

    Oracle has been trying to gain ground against Amazon, Microsoft and Google, with mixed results. Recently, the company has faced an investor lawsuit claiming it bullied customers into accepting cloud contracts and has been inflating its cloud business. Documents were even unveiled wherein Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, who previously served as head of product development at Oracle, called Oracle Cloud “a disgrace” when he was with the company.

    Oracle’s quarterly results should go a long way toward helping the company answer critics.

  • Google Cloud Focusing on Telecom Industry

    Google Cloud Focusing on Telecom Industry

    In its ongoing efforts to gain cloud market share, Google Cloud has launched a version of its platform specifically aimed at the telecom industry.

    Google Cloud is currently a distant third in the U.S. cloud industry, with a mere 4% of the market. CEO Thomas Kurian has set the goal of becoming at least the second largest U.S. cloud vendor within five years. One way the company is working to grow its market share is by appealing to specific industries. The company had previously released Google Cloud Anthos for Retail in an attempt to capitalize on retailers’ aversion to using a cloud solution from Amazon, one of their biggest competitors.

    Now Google has launched Anthos for Telecom, “an open hybrid and multi-cloud application platform offering telecommunications companies the flexibility to modernize existing applications, build new ones, and securely run them on-premises and across multiple clouds.”

    Anthos is based on open source technology and includes “Kubernetes, Istio, and Knative,” enabling “consistency between on-premises and cloud environments and helps accelerate application development.”

    With Google’s latest addition to its cloud offerings, its obviously working to close the gap with its bigger competitors. Whether it will help the company meet Kurian’s goal remains to be seen.

  • Google Cloud and AT&T Partner For Network Edge 5G Computing

    Google Cloud and AT&T Partner For Network Edge 5G Computing

    Google Cloud and AT&T have announced a partnership between the two companies to help enterprises take advantage of 5G and edge computing.

    Edge computing moves processes closer to where data is being collected and used, rather than sending it to a data center for processing. Thanks to 5G, edge computing stands to usher in a whole new era of on or near-premise computing, significantly speeding up the speed and latency of critical and intensive operations.

    The partnership will allow Google Cloud to deliver technologies and capabilities to companies using AT&T’s 5G network. These technologies include artificial intelligence, machine learning, data and analytics, Kubernetes and more.

    “We are delighted to work with AT&T, a 5G leader, to help enterprises and the industry harness the potential of 5G,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO, Google Cloud. “Our co-innovation with AT&T aims to bring a multitude of 5G and Edge Computing solutions to address a diversity of use cases, driving real business value in industries like retail, manufacturing, gaming and more. We are deeply committed to helping drive positive business outcomes for enterprises by working with AT&T on 5G.”

    “We’re working with Google Cloud to deliver the next generation of cloud services,” said Mo Katibeh, EVP and CMO, AT&T Business. “Combining AT&T’s network edge, including 5G, with Google Cloud’s edge compute technologies can unlock the cloud’s true potential. This work is bringing us closer to a reality where cloud and edge technologies give businesses the tools to create a whole new world of experiences for their customers.”

    The announcement is another in a string of wins for Google Cloud as it works to take on AWS and Microsoft.

  • Google Cloud Replaces AWS As MLB’s Cloud Provider

    Google Cloud Replaces AWS As MLB’s Cloud Provider

    In its efforts to gain ground against AWS and Microsoft, Google has signed a multi-year deal to become Major League Baseball’s cloud provider.

    Google Cloud continues to be a distant third-place in the U.S. cloud market, behind leader AWS and second-place Microsoft. Despite its current standing, Google Cloud’s CEO Thomas Kurian has committed to becoming at least the second-place provider within five years. In its efforts to reach its goal, the company has recently completed an internal shakeup, cutting a number of jobs to better streamline its focus.

    Now the company has secured a multi-year deal to become MLB’s Official Cloud and Cloud Data and Analytics partner, replacing AWS as MLB’s provider. The deal also includes running Statcast on Google Cloud. Statcast is an automated tool to help the MLB analyze player abilities and movement. MLB will also use Google Ad Manager and Dynamic Ad Insertion in its ads business.

    “Every season we work to apply emerging technology to engage and support our fans, clubs and broadcasters in new and exciting ways,” said Jason Gaedtke, MLB’s Chief Technology Officer. “MLB has enjoyed a strong partnership with Google based on Google Ad Manager’s live ad delivery with MLB.tv as well as YouTube’s strong fan engagement during exclusive live games. We are excited to strengthen this partnership by consolidating MLB infrastructure on Google Cloud and incorporating Google’s world-class machine learning technology to provide personalized and immersive fan experiences. We couldn’t have picked a better technology partner across ad delivery, streaming, cloud computing and machine learning.”

    “MLB, which has led the sporting world in the use of data since the early 1990s, has shown the sports industry and sporting fans globally what’s possible when you combine data with human performance,” said Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud. “We’re looking forward to working with MLB to usher in a new era of innovation in sport, and together we can have a substantial impact on the game, giving the next generation of fans a different way to experience America’s favorite pastime.”

    This contract is a big win for Google as it touts its cloud abilities. According, to Google’s statement, “MLB’s migration to Google Cloud has already resulted in an exponential improvement in analytics and decision making, enabling MLB to provide teams with a unified data plane to enable accelerated decision making.”

    The company will likely be able to leverage that positive feedback to capture even more market share.