Amazon Web Services continues to bolster its development tools, and the latest move in that direction is the purchase of Cloud9.
As a reminder, Cloud9 is a service that permits developers to work together and write code in real time. By logging into an integrated development environment (IDE), developers from all over the globe can use Cloud9 to write code together. The IDE creates a cloud-based Ubuntu workspace that is ideal for teamwork.
The creators of Cloud9 targeted the service at the global market, meaning that it works in more than 40 languages. What is more, coders have access to a testing field consisting of about 300 combinations of OSs and browsers. This means that they don't have to get through the hustle of downloading new browsers for simply testing a few lines of code.
There are other interesting features packed into Cloud9, such as allowing programmers to start sharing their IDE or a preliminary version of their app with their clients. As you would expect, coders and their customers can archive and edit various editions of the code.
It was little surprise to see Amazon Web Services interested in acquiring the Cloud9 startup.
Both companies are keeping mum about the details of the transaction, but Cloud9 announces that, at least for the moment, everything will keep going "as usual."
It would seem that no major modifications will happen to Cloud9, at least for the time being. It remains to be seen whether or not Cloud9's pricing policy will suffer alterations after it is fully embedded into the services that Amazon offers.
Cloud9's clients could benefit the most from the deal should Amazon choose to let the service run its course without special tweaks. Amazon has the resources to boost the service, and its proprietary Web Service department will benefit from the influx of customers that have a good experience using Cloud9.
The deal is a sign that Amazon acknowledges how important AWS is for generating revenue. In 2015, the company saw increased utilization of its cloud assets, bringing a hefty slice of revenue and profits. Last year, AWS generated more than $7.3 billion in sales, with a user landmark of 1 million active users.
Amazon's improvement of AWS seems to have paid off, as earlier this year the company signed a $400 million deal with Salesforce, which will now rely on Amazon.com Inc.'s cloud-computing services to back its global expansion.
