Microsoft Azure is a platform that offers cloud based services to it's users. It is a core element of the Microsoft portfolio and it's usage rate has increased rapidly in line with the adoption of cloud computing.
Azure offers a wide range of services to it's users including computing, storage, networking, databases and artificial intelligence and is often used as a single solution by businesses to manage all of their IT infrastructure.
As well as being able to manage existing infrastructure, businesses are also able create, deploy and manage new applications through its global network of data centers - providing their have the in-house experience to do so.
Azure supports multiple programming languages, frameworks and tools making it accessible to a wide range of businesses depending on their skill sets although having services like virtual machines, data storage, machine learning, IoT and security solutions all in one means there is usually something within Azure that can be beneficial to the majority of businesses regardless of their size, shape or industry.
Scalability - Azure allows companies to scale resources up or down based on the specific demand at any given time which means that any applications and/or services hosted there can handle changes in workloads with ease.
Integration - Azure is part of the Microsoft ecosystem and thus, it seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft products and services including Office 365, Active Directory and Windows Server. These integrations make it Azure a popular choice for companies already immersed in the Microsoft ecosystem.
Immediate Cost Efficiencies - Azure offers a pay as you go pricing model, allowing users to pay only for the resources they consume due to the scaling up and down based on demand which can of course lead to significant cost savings.
Global Availability - Azure has an expansive network of data centers located around the world. This global presence allows users to deploy applications and services closer to their users regardless of where they are located in the world which in turn, can reduce latency and improve application performance.
Reliability & Uptime - Microsoft Azure is widely regarded for it's high availability and reliability, with a service level agreement (SLA) that guarantees a certain level of uptime to users. This ensures that applications hosted on Azure are consistently accessible and in the event they are not, issues are quickly identified and resolved.
Hybrid Cloud Capabilities - Azure supports hybrid cloud environments which allows organisations to integrate on-premise data centers with cloud connectivity. This flexibility is crucial for businesses with existing infrastructure investments and means previous investments do not need to be forfeit when there is a need to move some infrastructure to a cloud platform
Varied Service Offering - Azure offers a comprehensive set of cloud services including computing, databases, storage, machine learning & AI and analytics & reporting capabilities. This diversity allows users to build, deploy and manage a wide variety of applications in Azure and means organisations can, if they wish, use it as a single solution for the management of their IT infrastructure.
Security & Compliance - Microsoft Azure has in built security features that ensures the protection of customer data and applications. Azure security includes identity management, encryption, threat detection and other security measures which can provide clients with peace of mind and make them in turn, more attractive to their clients.
Dev-Ops & Automation - Azure allows developers to build their own web and mobile applications and provides a variety of development tools for continuous integration, continuous delivery and automation. This helps streamline development processes and can improve collaboration between development and operations teams.
Community & Support - Azure has a large and active developer community which offers access to resources, forums and documentation. Additionally, Microsoft offers support options to assist users with any issues or challenges they may encounter.
Because of the extensive list of services on offer from Azure, it can be beneficial for pretty much any type of organisation. Those who are or want to be fully cloud-based, those who require some of their infrastructure to be cloud-based whilst the rest remains on premise or even those who don't have experience with cloud computing but do have an interest. Here are some key industries that currently utilise Microsoft Azure -
Enterprises
Large companies use Azure for it's scalable cloud infrastructure, data storage, security and app development capabilities to streamline their operations and reduce costs.
Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
SMEs can utilise Azure for it's affordable cloud based services including website hosting, databases and backup services.
Startups
Startups may use Azure for its flexibility, allowing them to quickly build, test and scale applications.
Developers
Individual developers as well as developer teams can use Azure for building, deploying and managing both web and mobile applications.
Government Agencies
Governments often use Azure because of it's secure cloud services that meet compliance standards for data protection, privacy and security.
Healthcare Providers
The healthcare sector uses Azure for secure storage of patient data.
Banks & Financial Institutions
Banks and financial organisations use Azure for security and regulatory compliance as well as it's cloud-based data analysis tools.
Retailers
Retail businesses might use Azure for managing supply chains, customer data and their e-commerce platforms.
Our developers are Azure experts with many years of experience delivering solutions on the Microsoft Azure platform for both small businesses and large enterprises. We specialise in cloud migration and have helped many of our clients migrate their infrastructure (partially or fully) to Azure whilst providing ongoing support and maintenance to ensure the transition remains a solid investment. Our team has extensive experience in building and managing services, including web & mobile apps, databases and APIs within Azure. If you're considering a move to the cloud or would like some support with the services you already have there, come and have a chat with us today - the possibilities are endless!
Q) Is Azure Google or Microsoft?
A) Azure is Microsoft's Cloud Computing Platform
Q) Is Azure PaaS, SaaS or IaaS?
A) Depending on what you use Azure for, it can be classed as all of the above!
Q) Is Azure free?
A) There are free to use services within Microsoft Azure that last up to 12 months from Account Creation. Click here to view the full list of free services.
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