12 Best Cloud Management Platforms for Australian Enterprises

What and Why Is Cloud Management Platform?

Definition and Core Functions

A cloud management platform (CMP) is a centralized software solution designed to help businesses manage, monitor, and optimize their cloud resources across public, private, and hybrid environments. Instead of navigating multiple provider dashboards or fragmented systems, enterprises can use a CMP to streamline operations from a single unified interface.

Key functions of a cloud management platform typically include:

• Resource optimization, helping businesses allocate and manage compute, storage, and networking resources efficiently
• Cost management and budgeting, offering real-time visibility into cloud expenses, forecasting, and cost-saving recommendations
• Security enforcement, with tools for identity and access management, policy compliance, and vulnerability monitoring
• Automation and orchestration, allowing teams to deploy, configure, and scale cloud resources automatically based on business needs

​A Cloud Management Platform (CMP) serves as the central hub for overseeing cloud operations, offering enhanced control, performance, and governance of digital infrastructure at scale. The global CMP market was valued at USD 14.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 45.19 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 13.42% during the forecast period . This significant growth underscores the increasing reliance of enterprises on CMPs to manage complex, multi-cloud environments efficiently.​

Why Australian Enterprises Need One

As multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud strategies become the new standard in Australia, businesses are encountering greater complexity in managing their cloud environments. Without centralized oversight, organizations are more vulnerable to cost overruns, security gaps, and operational inefficiencies—key cloud migration challenges that must be addressed to ensure a smooth and sustainable digital transformation.

A cloud management platform provides Australian enterprises with:

• Unified visibility across all cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, private clouds) for better strategic planning and operational control
• Improved cost management, helping companies stay within budgets and optimize their cloud investments
• Stronger compliance and governance, essential for adhering to local standards like the Australian Privacy Actand international frameworks like ISO 27001
• Enhanced innovation, by freeing teams from manual tasks and enabling faster deployment of new services and applications

For Australian enterprises looking to drive growth while maintaining control over increasingly complex cloud ecosystems, investing in the right cloud management platform is no longer optional—it’s a strategic necessity.

Watch more: Cloud Computing Data Analytics: Key Benefits for Australian Companies

Top 12 Cloud Management Platforms Worth Trying

Azure Management Tools

Microsoft’s Azure suite is a comprehensive solution for managing Azure resources, providing robust tools for automation, deployment, security, and cost optimization. Key services like Azure Policy and Azure Advisor ensure compliance and resource efficiency, while Azure Monitor and Log Analytics deliver detailed performance insights.

Key Features:

• Granular control with Azure Resource Manager, Azure Policy, and ARM templates.
• Detailed performance insights for cost optimization and proactive monitoring.
• Focuses mainly on Azure resources with limited multi-cloud support.
• Strong compliance and security integrations with Azure Security Center.

Nutanix Cloud Manager

Nutanix Cloud Manager is tailored for hybrid and multi-cloud environments, simplifying infrastructure management through self-service provisioning, application blueprints, and automated lifecycle management.

Key Features:

• Simplifies management across clouds and on-premises infrastructure.
• Rapid provisioning and workload mobility with self-service and automation.
• Automated cost optimization with integration into the Nutanix ecosystem.

Flexera Cloud Management Platform

Flexera’s platform excels in managing multi-cloud and hybrid environments, offering features like discovery, provisioning, orchestration, automation, monitoring, and cost optimization. It seamlessly integrates with public and private clouds, as well as virtual and bare-metal servers.

Key features:

• Aggregates billing, identifies savings, and automates resource optimization for cost efficiency.
• Strong governance and security with compliance tools and IAM integration.
• Extensive multi-cloud and hybrid support.
• Built-in integrations with various CI/CD tools for DevOps workflows.

IBM Apptio Cloudability

Apptio organizes technology spending and operational data to provide actionable insights for business, finance, and technology leaders. It normalizes data on spend, cost, consumption, performance, and attributes from various systems, offering a unified understanding of technology expenditure.

Key features:

• FinOps-focused cost management with detailed breakdowns and budget forecasting.
• Enforces policies and tracks resource usage for effective cloud governance.
• Connects cloud spending with business objectives and desired outcomes.

Harness Cloud Cost Management

Harness focuses on cloud cost optimization through granular visibility and automation. It collects cost data from various providers, identifies spending anomalies, and automates cost-saving actions.

Key features:

• AI-driven cost optimization with proactive automation capabilities.
• Integrates with CI/CD pipelines for continuous cost management.
• Detailed cost analyses and recommendations for resource optimization.
• Governance-as-code with AI-powered policy generation.

HashiCorp Terraform Enterprise

This Infrastructure as Code (IaC) platform centralizes multi-cloud and hybrid environment management using HashiCorp Terraform’s declarative syntax, adding enterprise-grade features like state management, version control, and user access control.

Key features:

• Centralized state management and policy enforcement for multi-cloud setups.
• Infrastructure-as-code approach with a modular configuration language (HCL).
• Collaboration features for managing infrastructure in teams.
• Relies on integrations for cost management.

Spectro Cloud Palette

Spectro Cloud Palette simplifies multi-cluster Kubernetes management, facilitating workload scheduling, resource allocation, and application lifecycle management.

Key features:

• Open-source platform for managing containerized applications on Kubernetes.
• Simplifies deployment and scaling for microservices architectures.
• Uses GitOps principles and Helm charts for automated deployments.
• Limited functionality outside Kubernetes-specific tasks.

Morpheus Data

Morpheus Data offers a vendor-agnostic platform for infrastructure provisioning, configuration management, and application deployment, supporting multi-cloud and hybrid environments.

Key features:

• Supports a wide range of cloud platforms and on-premises infrastructure.
• User-friendly interface with extensive automation capabilities.
• Robust cost management features.
• Extensive support for diverse IT assets.

CloudBolt

CloudBolt integrates on-premises resources and public clouds through an intuitive interface, streamlining cloud management across various technologies and locations.

Key features:

• Supports logical resource grouping and role-based access control.
• Offers quotas to align resource usage with business needs.
• Centralized management with extensive capabilities for administrators.
• Intuitive end-user experience with remote access and script execution.

Apache CloudStack

Apache CloudStack is an open-source IaaS platform for deploying and managing large virtual machine networks. It supports public, private, and hybrid cloud setups with comprehensive compute orchestration and Network-as-a-Service.

Key features:

• Efficiently deploys and manages large virtual machine networks.
• Comprehensive network management in the cloud.
• Robust user and account management tools.
• AWS EC2 and S3 compatibility for hybrid cloud deployment.

BMC Software

BMC Software’s Cloud Management Platform facilitates digital innovation with agile, full-stack service provisioning across cloud and traditional platforms. It integrates with compliance and governance policies to minimize risks.

Key features:

• Rapid deployment and scaling capabilities.
• Built-in integration with change management and CMDB.
• Full-stack service provisioning with sophisticated blueprint technology.
• Intelligent analytics for improved visibility, control, and cost reduction.

Oracle Enterprise Manager

Oracle Enterprise Manager offers comprehensive capabilities for managing, migrating, testing, and deploying across hybrid clouds. It leverages existing IT operations skills, reducing the need for new solutions.

Key features:

• Integrated monitoring for on-premises and Oracle Cloud.
• Automated agent deployment and configuration.
• Incident management with notifications and ticketing integration.
• Configuration management and compliance tools.

See more: Top 10 Cloud Financial Management Tools for Australian Businesses

Why SmartOSC Is a Trusted Cloud Partner for Australian Enterprises

In this fast-paced computing landscape, SmartOSC stands out as a trusted partner, delivering tailored cloud solutions to meet the unique needs of businesses. Here’s what we offer:

• Managed Cloud: Our seasoned experts can handle the daily grind of managing your cloud operations, ensuring peak efficiency and significant cost savings.
• Cloud Readiness Assessment: We can evaluate your IT environment and craft a strategic roadmap to migrate your applications and data seamlessly to the cloud.
• Cloud Audit: Get a comprehensive analysis of your current cloud setup, align it with industry best practices, and enjoy improvements driven by data insights.
• Cloud Migration: Transition smoothly to the cloud with our seamless migration services, enhancing performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Cloud FinOps: Optimize your cloud spending and boost financial efficiency with 24/7 support from our cloud financial operations experts.
• DevOps-as-a-Service: Accelerate your software development and improve quality with our flexible, cost-effective DevOps support models.

With a strong track record across Southeast Asia and an expanding footprint in Australia, SmartOSC helps businesses leverage the full power of the cloud—securely, strategically, and sustainably. Whether you are modernizing your infrastructure, scaling your digital services, or implementing a multi-cloud strategy, SmartOSC is the cloud partner Australian enterprises can rely on for long-term success.

Conclusion

Leading cloud management platform are game-changers in today’s cloud-centric IT landscape, and SmartOSC is ready to help you with all our heart and soul. So ready to up your cloud game and grow your business? Don’t hesitate, hit us up now and let’s make it happen!