Greetings from the B&Q of AI Infrastructure, Mate
Classic Vibes at AWS
In the past, constructing something on AWS felt like a nostalgic visit to the DIY section. This was adequate before computers took over the strenuous tasks, but now it resembles wrestling with a dinosaur in a petting zoo. Today, we have Railway, Vercel (which is built on AWS, by the way), CloudFlare, and various others emerging like mushrooms after a rainfall. These newcomers don’t carry the weight of two decades of AWS clientele holding them back. They simply aspire to simplify life for their customers without excessive proving and pleading.
Overstepping Their Bounds
AWS has been exuding a significant whiff of arrogance. It’s as if they believe, “We’re AWS, so obviously people will choose us.” A testimonial on their website flaunts a quote from a YC founder claiming, “For startups of a certain size, all paths lead to a hyperscaler like AWS.” Quite biased, isn’t it? That’s from someone whose product aims to make AWS more tolerable! AWS appears to have a built-in conviction of “We have this secured,” which could lead to a stark reality check when the truth surfaces.
Missing Key Opportunities
AWS frequently overlooks major success stories when they’re just starting out. Recall Pinterest? AWS often likes to reference them as a classic success narrative. However, if Pinterest had chosen a different vendor back in 2010, they may never have ended up with AWS. Migrations are quite the challenge, after all. Over the years, Pinterest might have contemplated switching providers, yet again, migrations are tough.
Trying to Keep Pace with OpenAI
OpenAI engaged with Azure early and prompted AWS to scramble to keep up. OpenAI commenced their significant trials on Azure in 2016, solidified by a billion-dollar investment. Amazon transitioned from a regular cloud contract to dishing out “up to $50B,” while OpenAI boosted their AWS commitments by $100B earlier this year. AWS seems somewhat out of sync with the current AI landscape.
A Wholesaler in a New Era
Vercel operates completely on AWS, which casts AWS as a wholesaler in this new landscape. Wholesalers typically remain unaware of the upcoming trends until they’re settled. Convincing a rocket ship to “Come for a subpar experience where you construct everything yourself, but your bills will be lower,” isn’t the most compelling sales pitch out there. My publication system for the GadgetLad newsletter primarily utilizes Vercel, not AWS. It costs me more (around $30 a month instead of mere pennies), but the user experience? Worlds apart. So much so, I’m planning to shift even more operations to Vercel. User experience has always been vital, and now it’s more important than ever as AI agents become the users. Struggling to gain access to the platform just feels like the platform is against you.
Stumbling Up the Stack
AWS’s efforts to ascend the stack haven’t fared well. Amazon Connect is performing decently, yet AWS’s SaaS endeavors usually meet an unfortunate end in the AWS graveyard. Last week, they unveiled CloudWatch Infinidash, which took my agent and me three hours to sort out. Amazon Quick, whatever that signifies these days, hasn’t evolved much and remains in the same boat. Amazon appears stuck as a logistical behemoth. They strive to be more, but it results in setbacks. They might need to cultivate a bit of self-awareness in the executive offices.
Focus on Your Strengths
The wise choice for AWS? Cease attempts at being a SaaS company and excel as a wholesaler. Simplify things for the Vercels out there, ensuring a pleasant experience for small businesses on AWS. That’s the type of loyalty that will carry through the hypergrowth years. Otherwise, you’re merely wandering through the B&Q aisles in search of hinges.
Summary: AWS – The B&Q of the Cloud Realm
AWS resembles a visit to B&Q, and building applications can feel like an old-school DIY endeavor. Emerging competitors are prioritizing customer satisfaction and leaving AWS behind. AWS carries a scent of arrogance and frequently overlooks significant success stories. They should stick to their wholesaling strengths and discard their SaaS aspirations. Focus on what you excel at, AWS, and you’ll cultivate loyalty over the long term, rather than merely adjusting hinge placements.
