After AWS’ announcement of their expansion to the Asia Pacific region, what impact can APAC-based businesses anticipate from the tech firm?
On March 1, 2021, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced they would expand their operations to include AWS Asia Pacific, based in Osaka, Japan. The tech giant has been working to develop its global cloud computing infrastructure for years now.
AWS is a cloud computing platform that helps businesses all over the world function online and maintain their websites, blogs, e-commerce and distribution platforms, and more. Based on the latest technological advancements, AWS is constantly evolving.
They offer three types of services depending on the nature and needs of the business or organisation: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Software as a Service (SaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS).
Amazon Web Services also offers applications that take care of computing power, database storage, and content delivery. The Amazon subsidiary divides its reach into regions and availability zones (AZs).
The expansion in Osaka is an addition to the already existing eight AWS locations in APAC, including offices in Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, and Singapore.
In total, AWS offers services in 81 availability zones (AZ) across 25 regions. They already have a broad reach, and it will likely grow with more time and resources invested in the company. Each region, according to Amazon, has clusters of data centres within them, where users can run applications across them to achieve greater fault-tolerance. Amazon is opening more and more regions rapidly to accommodate increased demand for their services. Osaka started as an AZ, but it is now considered a region given the company’s recent expansion.
AWS recognised an opportunity in the APAC region and faced it head-on by establishing Osaka as a new region with more AZs. Amazon has an ultimate goal of global expansion, and it seems as if they are on the right track.
What Does This Mean for APAC?
Organisations within APAC will have to reconsider their business operations. With the addition of AWS, members of all types of organisations can reap the benefits of the plethora of online services available.
Companies and businesses of all sizes will have to review their current network infrastructure for any shortcomings. If AWS can help address those shortcomings by offering viable solutions, then companies will be better able to make the transition, knowing they’re reaching their desired outcomes.
Whether it is cloud computing or data storage, AWS offers services that help businesses thrive and organisations operate more efficiently. When AWS enters a new region, it is expected that governments, educational institutions, nonprofits, and private organisations alike will come forward and begin to use their services.
Because AWS offers such a variety, it is no wonder they have become a massive player in both the national and international market. Whether providing automation for large retailers or smaller cloud solutions for a school, AWS has all of their APAC clients covered when tweaking their network infrastructure, storing data, and reviewing analytics, to name just a few capabilities.
AWS Benefits
There are several benefits that corporate and industry leaders will see if they make the transition to Amazon Web Services, including a significant reduction in costs, low latency, and ultimate scalability. Business entrepreneurs in the APAC region must recognise these benefits and decide whether transitioning to AWS is the right move for them. They also must consider their budget and other contributing factors before making this decision.
However, APAC entrepreneurs and business leaders should expect a fair amount of trial and error once they start using AWS. Implementing any new technology comes with a learning curve, and AWS is no exception.
Some companies find it helpful to adopt a hybrid approach, which essentially uses some AWS services without scrapping a legacy system. Cloud technology offers a level of reliability and efficiency that older systems simply cannot. Combining the two improves current business processes and contributes to overall business success.
Global Expansion
Amazon Web Services maintains the lead in the cloud infrastructure market. In 2020, the subsidiary made twice the amount of revenue as Microsoft, which came in second place in a report by Gartner. It’s no surprise that going global is the ultimate goal for AWS.
Some of the other regions that could benefit from an AWS availability zone are the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Tel Aviv, Israel, and a second region in Melbourne, Australia.
It is unclear when or how these new regions will be incorporated into the grand scheme of things, but it is expected that AWS will try to expand its cloud footprint in international markets for years to come.
The Future of AWS
As Amazon Web Services becomes more widespread, it will be interesting to monitor any changes in the global infrastructure market. The APAC region is sure to benefit from the new region established in Osaka, Japan. When local businesses and large corporations have access to these services, the global ecosystem will become more connected than ever.
Featured banner image from: reuters.com
Related Articles
What is Cloud Computing? The Types of Cloud Services You Should Know in 2021
How APAC Businesses Can Secure Your Data
Amazon Web Services Partners with Slack to Accelerate Cloud Integration
