12 cloud-based services every tech department should be using

by ·

The era of on-premise solutions is quickly fading as cloud-based services take center stage in the tech world. With more organizations embracing remote work and digital transformation, tech departments are increasingly relying on the cloud for everything from data storage to application development. Below, we will highlight 12 essential cloud-based services that should be in every tech department’s toolkit.

1. GanttPRO: waterfall and hybrid project management

At the forefront of our list is GanttPRO, a powerful cloud-based Gantt chart maker that has revolutionized the way tech teams plan, execute, and monitor their projects. Named after the popular Gantt chart visualization technique, GanttPRO offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies complex project management tasks.

Core functions include:

  • Intuitive Gantt charts to easily create and manage project timelines simply dragging and dropping the tasks where needed.
  • Team collaboration for a seamless communication and task assignment among team members.
  • Resource management for efficient allocation and tracking of resources across multiple projects.
  • Built-in time tracking to monitor project progress and team productivity.
  • Integration configuration to sync with other popular tools like Slack, Jira, and Google Drive.

GanttPRO stands out for its ability to provide a clear image of project timelines, dependencies, and milestones. This clarity helps tech departments stay on top of deadlines, identify potential bottlenecks, and make decisions that help keep projects on track.

2. GitHub: version control and collaboration hub

No tech department can function effectively without a robust version control system. GitHub has established itself as the go-to platform for code management and collaboration.

Core functions include:

  • Distributed version control to leverage Git’s powerful branching and merging capabilities.
  • Pull requests to facilitate code reviews and discussions before merging changes.
  • Issue tracking to manage bugs, feature requests, and project tasks efficiently.
  • Workflow automation with customizable CI/CD pipelines.
  • Vulnerability alerts and automated security updates.

GitHub’s cloud-based nature makes it an indispensable tool for modern tech departments, as it allows for coherent collaboration among distributed teams. Its extensive ecosystem of integrations and large community of developers adds even more value.

3. Slack: real-time communication and collaboration

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful tech department. In that context, Slack has emerged as the premier platform for real-time messaging and collaboration.

Core functions include:

  • Channels to organize conversations by topics, projects, or teams.
  • Direct messaging to facilitate one-on-one and small group communications.
  • File sharing to exchange and find documents, code snippets, and media.
  • Connections with hundreds of third-party tools for a unified workspace.
  • Efficient search options to quickly find past conversations and shared resources.

Slack’s ability to centralize communications and reduce email clutter has made it an essential tool for tech teams. Its real-time nature fosters a sense of connection among remote teams and speeds up decision-making processes.

4. AWS (Amazon Web Services): comprehensive cloud computing

For tech departments looking to leverage cloud computing, AWS offers a vast array of services that cater to virtually every need.

Core functions include:

  • EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud) with scalable virtual servers for diverse computing needs.
  • S3 (Simple Storage Service) for secure and durable object storage.
  • Lambda for serverless computing for running code without managing servers.
  • RDS (Relational Database Service) for managed database services for various database engines.
  • CloudFront with content delivery network (CDN) for global content distribution.

AWS’s extensive service offerings, global infrastructure, and pay-as-you-go pricing model make it an attractive choice for tech departments of all sizes. Its scalability and reliability ensure that teams can shift focus on innovation rather than infrastructure management.

5. Atlassian Jira: Agile project management

For tech departments embracing agile methodologies, Jira has become the de facto standard for issue tracking and project management.

Core functions include:

  • Customizable workflows that permits to adapt Jira to your team’s unique processes.
  • Agile boards to visualize work with Scrum and Kanban boards.
  • Roadmaps to plan and track progress on long-term initiatives.
  • Reporting for insights with built-in reports and dashboards.
  • Great variety of integration options to connect with a wide range of development and collaboration tools.

Jira’s flexibility in supporting various agile frameworks, combined with its powerful tracking and reporting capabilities, makes it an invaluable asset for tech teams striving for continuous improvement and delivery.

6. Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365): productivity suite in the cloud

Microsoft’s cloud-based productivity suite offers a comprehensive set of tools that are essential for any modern tech department.

Core functions include:

  • Office apps to access familiar tools like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in the cloud.
  • OneDrive to store files on the cloud and share them in the process of collaboration.
  • Team to stay connected with your team from anywhere.
  • SharePoint for internal content management.
  • Power Platform for custom business solutions.

Microsoft 365’s integration of productivity apps, communication tools, and cloud storage provides a unified ecosystem that enhances efficiency and collaboration within tech departments.

7. Docker Hub: container repository and sharing platform

As containerization becomes increasingly prevalent in software development and deployment, Docker Hub serves as a crucial resource for storing and sharing container images.

Core functions include:

  • Public and private repositories to store and manage Docker images securely.
  • Automated builds of images from source code repositories.
  • Sharing of repositories with configurable access within your organization.
  • Vulnerability scanning to detect security issues in your container images.
  • Webhooks to automate workflows with event-driven integrations.

Docker Hub’s role in facilitating container management and distribution makes it an essential tool for tech departments adopting containerization and microservices architectures.

8. New Relic: application performance monitoring

Ensuring optimal performance of applications is crucial for tech departments, and New Relic provides comprehensive monitoring and observability solutions.

Core functions include:

  • Real-time monitoring of application performance and user experience.
  • Full-stack observability that allows monitoring applications, infrastructure, and user experiences in one platform.
  • AI-powered Insights to use machine learning for proactive issue detection and resolution.
  • Custom dashboards to create tailored views of your application and infrastructure metrics.
  • Distributed tracing to identify and resolve issues across complex, distributed systems.

New Relic’s ability to provide deep insights into application performance and user experience makes it an invaluable tool for tech departments focused on delivering high-quality, reliable software.

9. LastPass: secure password management

Security is paramount for tech departments, and LastPass offers a cloud-based solution for managing and securing passwords across the organization.

Core functions include:

  • Secure password vault to store and organize passwords with military-grade encryption.
  • Password generation assistance to create strong, unique passwords for every account.
  • Shared folders to securely share passwords and notes with team members.
  • Multi-factor authentication for an extra layer of security to your accounts.
  • Admin dashboard to manage user access and security policies centrally.

LastPass helps tech departments enforce strong password practices and securely share credentials, reducing the risk of data breaches and improving overall security posture.

10. Confluence: knowledge management and collaboration

Atlassian’s Confluence serves as a centralized platform for creating, organizing, and sharing knowledge within tech departments.

Core functions include:

  • Collaborative workspaces to create and edit pages with real-time collaboration.
  • Structured content to organize information with hierarchical pages and spaces.
  • Pre-built templates to start documentation from the get-go.
  • Search functionality to quickly find the information you need across all spaces.
  • Integration with Jira to link issues and projects for optimal workflow.

Confluence’s ability to centralize documentation, foster collaboration, and integrate with other tools makes it an essential platform for knowledge sharing and team alignment in tech departments.

11. Datadog: infrastructure monitoring and analytics

For tech departments managing complex infrastructure and applications, Datadog provides comprehensive monitoring and analytics solutions.

Core functions include:

  • Infrastructure monitoring to track the health and performance of servers, containers, and cloud services.
  • Application performance monitoring for insights into application behavior and user experiences.
  • Log management with centralization and analysis of logs from various sources.
  • Network monitoring to visualize and troubleshoot network issues.
  • Customizable dashboards to create tailored views of your infrastructure and application metrics.

Datadog’s unified platform for monitoring infrastructure, applications, and logs helps tech departments maintain visibility across their entire technology stack, enabling proactive issue resolution and optimization.

12. Zoom: video conferencing and remote collaboration

Considering that distributed teams and remote work are the new normal, Zoom has become an indispensable tool for video conferencing and virtual collaboration.

Core functions include:

  • High-quality video conferencing to host meetings with clear audio and video.
  • Screen sharing for collaboration on documents and presentations in real-time.
  • Breakout rooms for small group discussions within larger meetings.
  • Recording and transcription to capture and review meetings for future reference.
  • Webinar functionality to host large-scale virtual events and presentations.

Zoom’s reliability and feature set make it an essential tool for tech departments to maintain clear communication and collaboration, regardless of physical location.

Last, but not least

The cloud-based services discussed in this article represent a powerful toolkit for modern tech departments. These tools address the diverse needs of technology teams and can help them to:

  1. Enhance collaboration and communication among team members
  2. Streamline project management and workflow processes
  3. Improve code quality and version control
  4. Ensure robust security practices
  5. Gain deeper insights into application and infrastructure performance
  6. Facilitate knowledge sharing and documentation
  7. Enable seamless remote work and distributed team collaboration

Staying updated with the latest cloud-based tools and services has been and will be crucial for a long time for all tech departments aiming to maintain their competitive edge. Careful integration of these services into the workflows, may allow tech teams to focus on innovation and delivering value, rather than getting bogged down by infrastructure management and outdated processes.