Microsoft responded to the emergence of cloud computing services by launching Microsoft Azure in 2010. Azure provides a cloud environment, on-premises, hybrid, and cloud situated, for app creation and management, virtualisation, data storage, web and mobile apps, and more.
Services designed for the hybrid cloud let businesses use virtual machines at a distance, access databases, and fully embrace AI-powered search and analytical tools. Microsoft Azure, used in your business, opens the door to creating, deploying, and managing innovative apps for internal or external use.
Continuous innovation allows Azure cloud services to serve a wide range of industries using cloud applications, global data centres, and powerful security services. Now, with a 24% share of the global cloud service marketplace, this cloud provider continues to go from strength to strength.
1. What is Microsoft Azure?
What is Microsoft Azure and its benefits for your organisation. Below, we explain some basics about this cloud computing platform.
Definition and Background:
The Microsoft public cloud computing solution supports IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS.
- Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) supports computing, networking, storage, and virtualisation services in the cloud.
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) delivers access to software and hardware resources. IT personnel can create and deploy applications supporting various platforms and infrastructure.
- Software as a Service (SaaS) is more familiar. Azure allows the creation of websites, web-deployed apps, and mobile apps available for public or customer-approved use.
Key Components:
- IaaS – Businesses assign virtual machines loaded with either the Windows or Linux operating system, necessary apps, storage availability, and networking access.
- PaaS – Create potential platform-based solutions, test them, and deploy the best ones in your business.
- SaaS – Host existing apps, like Microsoft 365, and create new ones for public or private use. Manage them in the cloud using a full suite of robust supporting services, including hosting, DNS support, load balancing, CDNs, and more.
Scope of Services:
Microsoft Azure supports over 200 different services.
This includes services for big data analytics, DevOps, the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, artificial intelligence, and Azure Search integration.
2. Core Benefits of Microsoft Azure
Here are some core benefits of Microsoft Azure for your organisation.
Scalability and Flexibility:
Unlike other cloud services, Microsoft Azure was created to be infinitely scalable. Whether managing a small but growing organisation, a huge multinational, or the computing demands of a large city, this cloud infrastructure supports it all.
The pricing model is flexible, too. It is based on a pay-as-you-go model where costs reflect usage rather than high, fixed expenses. This allows organisations of virtually all sizes to benefit from its use.
Cost-Effectiveness:
There are multiple pricing models available with Azure. These include spot pricing and assigned reserved instances to enhance availability options.
Usage reports confirm expenses on the fly to manage the costs. Also, calculators allow businesses to estimate real-world costs based on different planned usage scenarios. This helps to ensure the continued affordability of Microsoft Azure cloud services.
Security and Compliance:
The Azure Security Centre and Sentinel services assure threat monitoring and rapid response. These cloud security services continuously monitor and proactively respond to cyber threats.
Security and data management compliance is assured through adherence to ISO, GDPR, and US-based HIPAA standards.
Global Reach with Local Presence:
One benefit of Azure is its data centre network. This growing cloud infrastructure now spans 60+ regions. It allows global access to the Azure platform, products, and services without interruptions or delays.
Local data compliance ensures that relevant regulations are met when selecting data residency. This alleviates the worries of busy executives who periodically work in different countries.
Disaster Recovery and Backup:
Microsoft also provides Azure Site Recovery and Backup solutions. This ensures minimal time losses and speedy recovery. Data loss is avoided, and downtime is minimised.
By using multiple data centres, backups, and other redundancies, its data centres offer reliability in negative real-world situations.
3. Advantages for Businesses
The benefits for businesses and considerable advantages of the Microsoft Azure platform are worth mentioning. Here are just a few of them:
Innovation Potential with AI, Machine Learning, and IoT:
Azure AI and tools for machine learning allow businesses to automate processes and use predictive analytics. This accelerates business intelligence within the organisation, helping companies achieve more in less time.
Support for smart connected devices is offered through the IoT services. The IoT Edge and IoT Hub solutions collect real-time data and process it immediately for interactive connectivity.
Seamless Integration with Microsoft Products:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft 365, plus Windows Server and many other Microsoft software applications, are supported. Azure Identity Protection facilitates deep integration, allowing users to access the Azure cloud, plus connected software and platform solutions, seamlessly.
These integrations allow companies to get the most from their existing investment in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Hybrid Cloud Capabilities:
It is possible to push workloads to Azure via its hybrid cloud capabilities. Azure Arc allows cloud access via on-premises systems, Azure Cloud, or a blend of both in a truly hybrid environment.
Businesses are free to build apps, add integration to other Microsoft products and stored data, and deploy these apps in a multi-cloud, edge cloud, or on-premises solution.
Data Analytics and Insights:
Full data analytics is provided through Azure Synapse Analytics. Power BI is supported, too.
These tools deliver powerful data collection, analysis, and review. Virtualisation reporting lets users consider big data through various lenses to develop meaningful insights.
Dashboards and reports are fully customisable to meet different industry needs and individual company requirements.
4. Drawbacks or Considerations with Azure
It is only natural that some drawbacks to Azure are worth considering. Below are a few of these:
Complexities in Migration:
Migrating to Microsoft Azure is not a one-step process. It requires careful planning, plus guidance from experts who have previously completed many successful cloud migrations.
Azure includes multiple tools to make migration more pain-free than it would otherwise be. However, experts reduce the complexities involved. Microbyte provides migration services to their clients wishing to move up to Azure.
Learning Curve:
There is a learning curve like any new software, service, or platform. Using Microsoft Learn for training and certification is a good idea for enhancing in-house knowledge in the future.
Certainly, new users will require time to get to grips with Azure virtual machines, Azure Cosmos DB, and other features. Many services are updated regularly. This is foundational for Azure and necessitates ongoing user learning, not a one-time approach to training.
5. Getting Started with Microsoft Azure
Free to Try
Azure is initially available via a free account. This provides limited-time access to services using provided credits.
There are 25 free services, which include databases, storage, and virtual machines. These frequently used services are available for trial and usage before any financial commitment.
Learning Resources
Various learning resources are provided to help people use Microsoft Azure. These include complete Azure documentation and Microsoft Learn courses. Shorter instructional tutorials plus detailed courses and certifications are both applicable.
Beyond the above resources, there are related forums, Microsoft Tech community access, and GitHub repositories.
Conclusion
Microsoft Azure is a complete cloud solution for businesses. Azure offers many services designed for cloud, hybrid cloud, and on-premises use. These include fully scalable infrastructure, platforms, and software solutions.
The broad range of cloud services aims to meet the needs of large corporations and SMEs. Pricing is competitive and reflects usage rather than relying on fixed pricing models. A free tier is available to try different services before commitment.
Talk with our Azure experts at Microbyte to see how we can assist you.
