Managed Public Cloud Services — Azure, AWS and Google Cloud
Azure. AWS. Google Cloud. One managed IT provider.PIP manages all three major public cloud platforms — with Microsoft Partner expertise at the core.
- Azure preferred platform
- Multi-cloud managed
- Sydney-based team
- Microsoft Partner since the ’90s
What is Public Cloud?
A public cloud is a cloud computing model where public cloud computing resources — virtual machines, storage, networking, and software applications — are owned and operated by a third party provider and delivered to multiple customers over the internet.
Under the public cloud model, resources are shared across multiple users through virtualization technology that partitions physical server capacity into isolated computing environments. There is no physical infrastructure for the organisation to purchase or maintain — and no network equipment to configure or replace. Users access data and services via an internet connection, provisioning compute and storage resources on demand. All infrastructure is owned entirely by the cloud service provider; the client consumes it as a service. This approach eliminates the capital overhead of on-premises hardware while delivering enterprise-grade computing services at scale.
How Public Cloud Works
Public cloud providers operate massive data centers containing thousands of servers. Virtualisation partitions server capacity into virtual machines — isolated computing environments running their own operating systems — that multiple organizations share without accessing each other’s data or workloads. This shared infrastructure is the foundation of the public cloud computing model.
Users provision computing services — compute, storage, databases, and software applications — through a self-service web portal, scaling up or down based on demand. The underlying infrastructure is owned and managed entirely by the service provider; clients interact with virtual resources, not physical hardware. Cloud computing absorbs workload fluctuation automatically: the provider’s data centers handle peak demand so organisations never need to over-provision. Cloud services are billed on consumption, making it highly cost-efficient for variable workloads.
Benefits of Public Cloud
Cost Efficiency
Public cloud operates on a pay-as-you-go model — organisations pay only for the computing resources they use. There is no on-site hardware to purchase or maintain, and no upfront hardware commitment. Eliminating on-site storage reduces operational costs further, and cost savings compound as the business scales.
Scalability and Flexibility
Public cloud offers near-infinite scalability — organisations can scale resources based on demand without hardware investment. E-commerce sites can expand capacity for peak periods and scale back immediately after. Rapid deployment of new applications and development platforms accelerates time-to-market; cloud based services can be provisioned in minutes.
Public Cloud Security and Business Continuity
Major providers implement comprehensive data security measures: encryption, firewalls, and intrusion detection for highest data protection. The platform is backed by compliance with ISO 27001, GDPR, and HIPAA. Resilience is built in — data stored across multiple data centers provides data resilience, and high availability is a core platform feature.
Access to Advanced Technologies
Public cloud gives on-demand access to advanced computing services without building the infrastructure in-house. Cloud-based AI, machine learning services, and big data analytics are available as managed capabilities. Low-code tools accelerate delivery, and access to cutting edge technologies that would be prohibitively expensive to self-host is a core argument for cloud adoption.
Public Cloud vs Private Cloud
The key difference between public and private clouds is infrastructure ownership and isolation. In a public cloud environment, computing resources are shared across multiple organisations on the same underlying data centers. Private cloud uses infrastructure for a single organisation, giving greater control over data location, security, and compliance. Sensitive data that cannot share infrastructure with other businesses belongs in a private cloud. Hybrid cloud combines both — public cloud for flexible workloads, private cloud for compliance-critical data.
| Feature | Public Cloud | Private Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure | Shared — multiple organisations on shared data centers | Dedicated infrastructure — single organisation |
| Data isolation | Virtualisation-based isolation on shared hardware | Physical isolation; no shared resources |
| Cost model | Pay-as-you-go; low entry cost | Higher cost; predictable; includes managed services |
| Control | Provider manages the platform | Full control over cloud resources and configuration |
| Compliance | Varies; provider certifications apply | Full data sovereignty; meets strictest regulatory requirements |
| Best for | Flexible, scalable, non-sensitive workloads | Compliance-critical data; Australian data residency |
Many organisations use both — see private cloud hosting from PIP’s Sydney Datacentre for workloads needing isolation. An on premises data center or on premises infrastructure suits very specific use cases; most businesses benefit from migrating to hybrid cloud. Private cloud solutions are available from PIP’s Sydney Datacentre.
Hybrid Cloud — Combining Public and Private
A hybrid cloud environment combines public and private cloud platforms within a single architecture. Organisations use public and private clouds for different workload types: public cloud services handle flexible, cost-sensitive, or non-regulated workloads; private cloud handles compliance-critical data and applications that require isolation and control. The hybrid cloud model gives organisations the cost efficiency of public cloud without sacrificing control where it matters.
Multi-cloud is increasingly common — multiple public clouds in parallel, using Azure for some workloads and AWS for others, avoids lock-in. Managing multiple public clouds adds complexity; a managed services provider like PIP removes that overhead, delivering unified cloud solutions across every platform.
Public Cloud Providers — Azure, AWS and Google Cloud
Public cloud is owned by a small number of large cloud providers at scale. The three dominant public cloud platforms globally are Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud — the leading public cloud service providers globally.
Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure is the most widely adopted public cloud platform in Australian enterprise and mid-market. Azure delivers hundreds of public cloud services — compute, storage, networking, AI — from data centers including Azure Australia East (Sydney). As a Microsoft Partner, PIP acts as a third party provider managing Azure for clients. Azure is PIP’s recommended cloud service for most clients.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Yes — AWS is a public cloud provider and the world’s largest public cloud service provider by market share. Amazon Web Services delivers cloud computing services from data centers including Sydney (ap-southeast-2). PIP manages AWS for clients with existing investment in the platform.
Google Cloud
Google Cloud is particularly strong for organisations using Google Workspace, big data analytics, and machine learning. The platform delivers virtual resources, cloud services, and cloud based services from data centers including Sydney. PIP manages Google Cloud for clients where it is the right platform fit.
Public Cloud, Managed by PIP
Microsoft Azure — Preferred Platform
PIP is a Microsoft Partner and Azure reseller serving multiple companies. Azure is PIP’s recommended public cloud solution for most clients. Provisioning, monitoring, cost optimisation, and security are handled by PIP — including public cloud services spanning compute, storage, and networking.
AWS and Google Cloud
PIP fully manages AWS and Google Cloud for clients with existing investment in those platforms. One Sydney team manages the entire environment — cloud services across all three providers, from one contact.
Why Managed Public Cloud?
Managed public cloud means clients get the benefits of cloud computing without managing it themselves. PIP manages the public cloud environment alongside the rest of the IT estate — no separate cloud service provider to coordinate with. For workloads needing dedicated infrastructure and Australian data sovereignty, PIP also offers private cloud hosting.
Public Cloud FAQ
What is a public cloud?
A public cloud is a cloud computing model where computing resources — including virtual machines, storage, and software applications — are owned by a third party provider and delivered to multiple customers over the internet. Public cloud computing services and public cloud services operate on pay-as-you-go. Cloud computing services span compute, storage, AI, and networking — users access them on demand from provider-owned data centers.
What is private cloud vs public cloud?
Private cloud vs public cloud comes down to infrastructure ownership. Public cloud uses shared infrastructure — multiple organizations on the same data centers, isolated by virtualisation. Private cloud services use dedicated infrastructure for a single organisation. Hybrid cloud combines both. For a direct comparison, see the public and private clouds table above.
Is AWS a public cloud?
Yes — AWS is one of the world’s largest public cloud providers. Public cloud computing at massive scale is its core business. AWS delivers cloud services and managed cloud services globally via its network of data centers. PIP manages AWS environments for clients where it is the right platform.
Who owns public cloud?
Public cloud infrastructure is owned and operated by the major cloud providers — Microsoft (Azure), Amazon (AWS), and Google are the three largest cloud providers globally. These major public cloud service providers own and maintain the data centers and cloud platforms that organisations access as a service.
MANAGED PUBLIC CLOUD · AZURE · AWS · GOOGLE CLOUD
Your Cloud. Managed by PIP.
Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud — PIP manages all three from our Sydney team.