AWS re:Invent 2018 Roundup: Machine Learning, Blockchain and AWS Outposts

AWS CEO Andy Jassy took the stage on Wednesday at re:Invent 2018 in Las Vegas, where he signaled to partners that AWS has no intention of slowing down. Here’s a look at some of the key announcements unveiled at AWS’ customer conference:

AWS is making it easier to build and manage applications. One way AWS is doing that is through AWS Inferentia. a machine learning inference chip, custom designed by AWS to deliver high throughput, low latency inference performance at an extremely low cost. AWS Inferentia will support the TensorFlow, Apache MXNet, and PyTorch deep learning frameworks, as well as models that use the ONNX format. Jassy also discussed two new services around blockchain: a managed blockchain offering and the Quantum Ledger Database, where customers can replicate a copy of their blockchain network activity.

Jassy saved the best for last on Wednesday when he brought VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger on stage. VMware and AWS first announced their partnership two years ago and most recently unveiled VMware Cloud on AWS. On Wednesday, Jassy announced AWS Outposts, which essentially brings AWS cloud hardware on-premises. It's available in two options, with the first through the VMware Cloud on AWS and the second as AWS native. It’s the latest way AWS is diving deeper in hybrid cloud.

Watch CRNtv’s video for reaction to the news from AWS Channel Chief Terry Wise, AWS Vice President Sandy Carter and Aater Suleman, Founder and CEO of Flux7 Labs, a services and technology company based in Texas.