Amazon operates AWS, the cloud-computing platform that became central to its business.
Amazon Web Services, usually called AWS, provides computing power, storage, databases, networking, machine-learning tools, and other internet services. Amazon launched AWS commercially in 2006, building on infrastructure originally developed to support its online retail operations. Customers include startups, governments, universities, and large corporations.
AWS is a division of Amazon rather than a separately listed company. Its financial results appear in Amazon’s reports, alongside online stores, advertising, subscriptions, and other businesses. The division’s profitability has been an important factor in how investors evaluate Amazon’s overall market capitalization.
AWS is often confused with Amazon’s retail website because both use the Amazon name. They serve different functions: the retail business sells products and services to consumers, while AWS rents technology infrastructure and related tools to organizations and developers.