Why Google Cloud Certification is important?
“lot of options induce confusion, clarity in usage lead to right-fit”
All cloud platforms have almost similar services for Compute, Storage, Data & Analytics, AI and other categories, but where they differ is in how well they have leveraged open source projects, which ones they have pioneered as open source and how easy or difficult they make it for architects to pick one or another set of services.
Now, in my opinion, I have experienced that Google stands out because of the following differentiators:
- Un-ambiguous
- Documentations
- Network
Let’s first discuss un-ambiguous quality. Ambiguity has almost become synonymous with cloud services. At times, there are many services/features which can do similar jobs. The differentiation between services has become coarse-grained, making architects’ and developers’ job harder to identify the right service for their use cases.
How Google differentiates is in its ability to clearly articulate the services in comparison to other services. If there is a service in Google, it’s for a specific need and most often it’s fine-grained.
Let’s take an example of Compute resources, The below diagrams clearly articulate the specific value statement and use cases.
At times, I have interacted with GCP product managers regarding some features and upcoming releases, and I have been impressed with the clarity in product release cycle and not wanting to release half-baked features.
Now, let’s look at storage and database for similar differentiating factors.
Now let’s talk about documentations. GCP docs are THE BEST! Google does an amazing job of inter-linking all the products, features, tutorials and cloud console. The new features and products are even duly updated with proper links with the GA release. The old references are cleared out and you always get a current state of products and services.
These two links are my go-to buddies every-time and are trusted companions!
https://cloud.google.com/products
Now, let’s talk about Networking. Google carries as much as 40% of the world’s internet traffic every day, so they have a trusted backbone of data centres and own cables around the world. But what I think is important is the availability of network products from a truly global enterprise mindset. The global VPC, shared VPC, network diagnostic tools give you a reliance that whatever may come, you have the options available.
Now, why GCP certification? And for this article, why GCP Cloud Architect Certification?. Being a Cloud Architect is not about knowing click-where taxonomies, but rather declarative and assertive brainstorming of options and recommending solution patterns. An architect should be able to analyse the differentiating factors between services from fine grained and coarse-grained lenses.
GCP certification truly captures the essence of being an architect. The knowledge about core services (Compute, Storage, Network, Big Data, AI, Operations, Security), Architecture Frameworks, Architecture patterns (Microservices, DevOps, 12-factor App Dev etc) and the industry use cases ( Case Studies) are essentials to pass the certification exam. The GCP certified professionals carry the badge of qualification and give confidence to enterprises of their merit.
So, get GCP certified, it helps you grow as an informed individual as well as a trusted advisor.
If you are interested in a comprehensive course in a consolidated fashion, no broken 4–5 mins videos, not too many slides but a holistic knowledge-base of GCP services in a classroom style, check out this course on Udemy.
https://www.udemy.com/course/gcp-architect-am/?couponCode=GCP-OCT
As far as the case studies go. Google has a very unique and valuable selection of case studies. (Tip -Understanding these case studies help you save almost 50% of exam time). I have a video on youtube, where i explain all case studies along with possible solutions. It includes the new case studies (EHR Healthcare, Helicopter Racing League)
Also, if you are interested in a 1-hour video, where I am casually explaining all the GCP services and their differentiating factors, check out this youtube video.
Keep Learning!
https://www.udemy.com/course/gcp-architect-am/?couponCode=GCP-OCT