Cloud Management Platform / Development Terms Cloud Management Platform A cloud management platform (CMP) is a software tool or suite that provides visibility, governance and automation across multiple cloud environments. It allows IT teams to monitor, manage and optimise public, private and hybrid cloud infrastructure from a central interface. CMPs are especially valuable for organisations using multiple cloud providers, complex deployments or mixed environments with both on-premises and cloud-based assets. Key features of a CMP typically include resource provisioning, cost tracking, performance monitoring, policy enforcement, access control and workload automation. Advanced platforms may also support multi-cloud orchestration, container management and compliance reporting. For example, a CMP can help a DevOps team deploy applications across AWS and Azure while ensuring consistent security policies and controlling costs. Popular tools in this category include VMware Aria (formerly vRealize), IBM Turbonomic, Flexera and Morpheus Data. By using a CMP, organisations gain better control over their cloud usage, reduce operational complexity and improve security posture. It also enables strategic decision-making by offering insights into usage patterns, underutilised resources and cost-saving opportunities. For enterprise teams managing large-scale cloud operations, a CMP supports collaboration between development, security and finance teams. In nonprofit or public sector settings, it helps balance innovation with governance and transparency. As cloud adoption continues to expand, CMPs play a key role in helping teams stay agile, accountable and cost-efficient.