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What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is access to computing resources—applications, servers (physical servers and virtual servers), data storage, development tools, networking capabilities, and more— via the internet. These resources are hosted at a remote data center managed by a cloud services provider (or CSP). Though the market is flooded with a range of CSPs, among them Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google have established themselves as dominant forces, with Amazon Web Services topping the list.
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Cloud computing is becoming an increasingly popular option for people and businesses for reasons like cost savings, increased productivity, speed and efficiency, performance, and security. This clearly showcases the expanding career prospects of Cloud Computing.
This being said, there are various avenues for a new and promising career path in the field of Cloud Computing for many, so, now comes the question that intrigues the minds of every cloud computing enthusiast, ” Azure or AWS, which is a better choice for a career?”
What is Microsoft Azure and what does it do?
Azure is a public cloud platform by Microsoft for building, deploying, and managing services and applications, anywhere. It offers services of 3 types, Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS).
What is Amazon Web Services and what does it do?
Amazon Web Services, also called Amazon Web Services, in short, is an easy-to-use public computing platform that is provided by Amazon. It is a secure cloud service platform that offers a range of functionalities such as computing power, database storage, and content delivery. It also provides many other features that help businesses to scale and grow.
AWS or Azure which one is better: Which cloud service is more popular?
In terms of popularity, Amazon Web Services clearly wins the game. Even though Azure does have about a third of the market, AWS still stands ahead by more than 10%.
According to this graph, over 41.5% of applications and services use Amazon Web Services. It’s clients range from both huge companies like NASA and small ones like Ivory Research. Azure sweeps the second major part of the market with a whopping 29.4%. So if you are still wondering AWS or Azure: Which is a better choice for a career ? This figure makes it quite a show to watch the competition growing between AWS and Azure.
AWS or Azure which one is better: Which do employers prefer?
As far as the employers are concerned, each of them has a different requirement which will depend upon the job profile they need and the skill sets involved. Some companies entertain aspirants with Azure, while others may prefer Amazon Web Services. There are many employers who would happily take in one with both certifications.
So the choice of an employer rests with the fact that it depends mainly on what is the skill set that they require and the weightage they give to one certification over the other. In case you are still worried about what the majority wants, here are some facts to consider. Indeed has more than 16,000 positions that you’d qualify for with Azure certification. The number for Amazon Web Services positions is even higher at 29,000 positions.
There are a number of jobs that treat certifications from either Azure, Amazon Web Services, or Google Cloud Platform as a bonus. However, there are a few that only want to see an AWS certificate. Like, some McAfee job listings don’t need Azure or Google Cloud Platform.
Even though AWS is the leading technology right now, Azure does have a third of the market, so it’s a great option as well. A whole 16,000 positions on Indeed will welcome an Azure certification holder and even if you do not have AWS certification, Azure Certification alone can land you a job. So if you worry about AWS or Azure: which is better for a career? Let me mention here that the Cloud Academy has a huge number of courses on both Amazon Web Services and Azure, so you can cross that problem off your list.
AWS or Azure which one is better-Factors that land you a Job:
When answering AWS or Azure: Which is a better choice for a career? The single most important factor that will determine whether you can or can’t get a certain job is not just which certification you have. It’s the hands-on knowledge that you imbibed in if you had done your certification with diligence.
So whatever certificate you choose to pursue, make sure it comes with knowledge and practice.
Azure or AWS: Which certification should I choose?
The biggest factor in whether you want to get an Azure or Amazon Web Services certification is the job you want to get. First, of all look for an employer whom you want to work for and then confirm what certifications they require.
If you want to get certified in a cloud technology that is the most popular today, go for AWS. It’s ahead of any other cloud service provider in terms of market share and will probably continue to lead the charts. Most employers will happily take you in if you have an Amazon Web Services certification alone.
But if your dream job or dream employer needs an Azure certification, then getting certified in this technology would be a safe bet. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
What is Amazon Web Services certification?
AWS certifications are the most in-demand certification in the present IT market. It is an exam that offers you a platform to showcase your knowledge and skill about the Amazon Web Services platform without any other test. Being AWS certified means that you are a professional that has acquired the most industry-centric cloud competencies that are role-based and can cope with the industry requirements.
The image given below gives detailed information about all the different certifications provided by Amazon Web Services.
Here it is:
Amazon Web Services currently offers 12 different certification exams to boost your career. These certification exams are categorized into four different types as follows:
A foundational certification
Associate-level certifications
Professional-level certifications
Specialty certifications.
How do I become AWS certified?
Being an AWS-certified professional can be easy if you follow the right path and prepare systematically.
Though there is no defined way to get your certification because there are many platforms that can give you an AWS certification, here I’ll try to provide you with the most basic steps to pursue this certificate.
So, here are the steps:
1:Learn the basic concepts of cloud computing and decide which certification you want to get after getting clear with the requirement of your dream employer and/or job.
2: Enroll in the training class provided at this link https://aws.amazon.com/certification/. This will direct to a page akin to the one given here. Choose your level of Certification path as explained earlier in this blog and click on the plus sign in front of your selection.
3: Choose which certificate you want to pursue by selecting the option from the drop-down list.
4: Read various Amazon Web Services whitepapers and FAQs that provide all information to find the answer for queries related to AWS.
5: Take the help of practice exams provided by Amazon. Write these exams to elevate your confidence level to pass the Amazon Web Services certificate exams.
6: Once you feel confident about applying for certification exams, you can go through the complete exam guidelines and schedule your exam.
To clear this exam, it is very important for you to study the architectures and concepts of your course very thoroughly. Concepts of Networking, Database, etc. are very important, so it becomes necessary to grab in certain concepts unerringly.
In all, I would say that if you work hard and take the entire course very seriously, make notes, back up your information with relevant video lectures etc., then you can easily get through AWS certification exam with flying colors.
What is Azure Certification ?
Azure certification is intended for candidates who are new to Azure. As an Azure Certification aspirant, you should have a foundational knowledge of cloud services and how those services can be given with Microsoft Azure.
Azure Fundamentals certification enables you to prove knowledge of cloud concepts, Azure services, security, and privacy in Azure, as well as Azure pricing and support. You should be familiar with the general technology concepts like networking, storage, application support, and application development.
How do I become Azure certified?
1: Click on Start Free Button in the center of your screen.
2: Click on the Certification Dashboard Tab on the right-top. Sign in via your Gmail account or Create a New Account.
3: Once you Sign- In, you will get this Dashboard Page, here you can click on the Certification Option and choose your certification program.
4: Choose the Certification from the list given here.
5: You can even Filter the certifications based on the job profile you are looking for or the Level of the Certification ( i.e. Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced)
6: Once you choose your Certification program, you have two options through which you can pursue the course. One is Free- Online Mode while the other is Paid- Tutor Led Mode.
7: Now once you select your Certification, you can access the content of it.
8: You can browse through the entire content of the certification by clicking on the Unit drop-down in the center of the screen
9 : At the end of the Certification Introduction page, you will see an option to Schedule Exam if you think you are ready for one!
These were the steps involved in Certification for Azure. Just like AWS certification, Azure certification also demands a thorough concept, Like the building of the chosen certification, an industrious attitude towards your course. Azure will also require you to have a firm hold over the Azure Services ad the technology basics behind them.
AWS or Azure: Which certification will suit your pocket?
AWS
Amazon Web Services Certification validate it’s Cloud knowledge, skills, and expertise by providing certifications at four Levels as discussed earlier in the blog– Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. The image given below categorize each certification under the relevant Level it belongs to.
AWS exams are taken in a proctored, timed environment. They offer flexible options for taking exams so you can select what works best for you.
It offers exams through two test delivery providers, Pearson VUE and PSI. Apart from this, you can easily find the resources like Sample Question Papers, Practice Exam links, Webinars to aid extra knowledge, etc. to prepare for your Certification Exam.
Online Proctoring
Online proctoring allows you to take an exam from any private space, such as your home or office. You use your own computer for the exam and a proctor remotely monitors your exam via both a screen-sharing application and your webcam. Exam appointments are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Online proctoring is available for all AWS Certification exams via delivery providers, Pearson VUE or PSI.
Testing Centers
You will use the testing center computer to take your exam, and on-site staff will assist you with checking in and storing your belongings. Appointment availability may vary by the testing center.
To find a testing center near you, search availability by ZIP Code for Pearson VUE and PSI.
Scheduling Your Amazon Web Services Exam
From your AWS Certification Account, you can schedule your exam with either of our testing vendors, Pearson VUE or PSI. After scheduling your exam appointment a mail is sent to your registered email id, which contains important details on the relevant policies and terms for your exam appointment.
AZURE
Azure Certification validates your skills for various technical job roles with a range of 21 certification options. Each certification consists of passing a series of exams to earn certification to level up your career game.
Candidates can choose to prepare for the exam via two modes: Free Online Module or a Paid- Instructor Led Module. You can opt for Certification as per your requirement under three Levels in Azure- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. While looking for an Azure Certification, you can also make a choice according to the level of your expertise in the field as follows too:
Fundamentals certifications
Ideal for individuals just starting in technology or thinking about a career change. It is recommended if you are naive to this domain.
Role-based certifications
To start learning valuable job role skills, you can opt for Role-Based certification.
Additional certifications
Explore specialty, Microsoft Certified Educator, and Microsoft Office technical certifications under these Additional certifications to take your career to the next level.
Exam formats and question types
To protect exam security and the value of our certifications, Azure does not identify exam formats or question types before the exam. The exam may contain Multiple Choice Answers, Descriptive answers, Fill in the Banks, etc. For further details of the Exam Format, you can check out the link given below.
AWS or Azure: which is better choice for a career?
As per the survey conducted by Indeed as of Jan 21, in the four-year stretch from October 2015 to October 2019, the percentage change in job seeker searches increased for all three: AWS by 157.77 percent, Azure by 130.41 percent, and Google Cloud by 908.75 percent. Indeed said. “The most recent year, however, tells a slightly different story. That’s when searches for both Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services dropped (by 9.22 percent and 5.5 percent respectively) while job seeker interest for Azure rose by 15.39 percent.”
From October 2015 to October 2019, all three providers saw growth. The share of job postings in that time period increased for Amazon Web Services by 232.06 percent and Azure by 302.47 percent.
Between 2018 and 2019, the number of job postings for Amazon Web Services climbed 21.07 percent and Azure by 30.59 percent.
Indeed data tells us that Amazon Web Services job postings want candidates skilled in Linux, while Azure jobs are looking for SQL skills.
Now, AWS may be in the lead, but this doesn’t mean Azure is by any means insignificant for getting a job. It does have a third of the market which means it is widely used. Don’t neglect this fact just yet. Moreover, the latest trends in the markets also reveal a customer drop-in Amazon Web Services and a surge for Azure. So even though, the situation seems to be in the favor of AWS right now, we must not ignore the possibility of a “bright future” that Azure Certified Jobs can provide you.
Conclusion
In the closing words, we can say that Azure or AWS, which is a better choice for a career? , well, this may not be precisely defined in the favor of any one of them. Here a “better choice”, is very subjective to your own employer and job-role agenda. So, consider the current facts related to Amazon Web Services and Azure while keeping in mind the future scopes for both of them, for making a serving long-term decision about your career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AWS?
Ans- AWS (Amazon Web Service) is a famous cloud computing platform, with more than 100 services provided such as Networking, Storage databases, Data management, Analytics, Migration, Security, Analytics, and Mobile development to grow an application, rapidly.
What is AZURE?
Ans- AZURE is a public cloud platform by Microsoft for building, deploying, and managing services and applications, anywhere. It offers services of 3 types, Infrastructure as a service (IaaS), software as a service (SaaS), and platform as a service (PaaS).
AWS or AZURE Which has better career opportunities?
Ans- Between 2018 and 2022, the number of job postings for AWS (Amazon Web Services) climbed 21.07 percent and AZURE by 30.59 percent. But, also, we can’t ignore the fact that AWS, still, has one-third of the share in the market. However, if we talk about popularity, AWS clearly wins by a huge market. In the end, the choice is yours. But you should definitely, choose the career, which suits your skills.
Which cloud service is popular- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- AWS (Amazon Web Services) is more popular than AZURE by few margins but AZURE has a stronghold in the marketplace.
Which cloud service is popular is best for Security- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- AZURE is the best option if you want the security of your data as it has an SDL ( Security Development Lifecycle) , which keeps data secure and protected on the platform.
Which cloud service has more market share- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- According to many reports, AWS has the highest market share with 33%, whereas AZURE and Google Cloud have 21% and 8%, respectively.
Which cloud service is easier to learn- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- Although, both cloud services, AWS and AZURE take time and skills to learn. But, according to many professionals, AWS is much easier to learn, than AZURE. However, in the end, it’s your hard work and dedication which can push you to learn anything.
Which cloud service provides more salary- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- AWS has more salary packages than AZURE. According to the Global Knowledge report 2022, AWS experts have an average salary of more than $ 125,000 whereas AZURE professionals have below $120,000 in the US.
Which cloud service provides more salary in India- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- In India, AWS experts have an average salary of 8.5 to 10 lakh per year, whereas AZURE professional has an average salary package of 4 to 5 lakh per year.
Which cloud service is the cheapest- AWS or AZURE?
Ans- AWS is very much cheaper than Microsoft’s AZURE in almost every sector.
Is Microsoft Azure easier than AWS?
Ans– AWS is easier to learn as compared to azure, AWS has more simple interface, more flexibility, easy documentation, and most of the services a student account can use for free, whereas Azure some services are paid even in the student account.
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