What is Microsoft Azure ?

So what is Microsoft Azure anyway ? Azure is a cloud computing service created by Microsoft. Developers and IT professionals use it for building, testing, deploying, and managing applications through a global network of data centers. It gives you the freedom to build and deploy wherever you want, using the tools and frameworks of your choice. What is Microsoft Azure?

When was Microsoft Azure Launched?

Microsoft Azure was first introduced in 2008 as a cloud computing service called Windows Azure. However, Microsoft Azure’s commercial launch was in 2010, so it’s been around a good 10+ years.

What is Microsoft Azure used for? & What are the Benefits?

  • Speed. Microsoft Azure is fast. Really, really fast. You can see this in its deployment, operation, and scalability. An on-premises server simply can’t keep up.
  • Agility. You can test, feedback, and retry applications while you’re developing them. This gives you the freedom to try out new technologies all the time. If you think something’s not for you, you can stop using it without setting up new infrastructures or throwing away cash.
  • Security. Microsoft is an industry leader when it comes to data protection. Azure’s single sign-on service helps keep passwords secure, which is handy if you’ve got a lot of sensitive data.
  • Compliance. This is another area where Microsoft has done the hard work for you. Azure has more compliance certificates than any other cloud provider and gives you control of your data.
  • Flexible costs. With Azure, you only pay for the services you want to use. If you need more, you can spend more. If you need less, you can spend less. You can get rid of under-used services without changing any infrastructure.
  • Disaster recovery. Azure has regional and global disaster recovery options. This might not be at front of your mind when you start using it, but reassurance is always a good feeling to have.
  • Remote deployment. With tools like Azure Stack, you can deploy applications from wherever you are.

Microsoft Azure Competition

Microsoft Azure is one of a handful of major public cloud service providers operating on a mass global scale. Other major providers include Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), and IBM.

How Azure Pricing Works?

Like a majority of other public cloud providers. Microsoft Azure pricing structure is on a competitive pay as you go basis, simply charging based on usage of its services. Don’t be caught out, if a single application you may run in the cloud, involves multiple Azure services, you might find yourself paying for multiple pricing tiers. Given the multitude of factors involved in cloud service pricing and finding ways to reduce costs. It’s honestly best to consult a Microsoft Azure expert in this case as some discounts can be applied. The best way to evaluate the total monthly costs is to bring us on board so we can constantly help monitor, visualize and optimize your business cloud spending.

So, What’s next?

Considering Microsoft Azure for your organization? Let us help with your decision-making process. Take a look at our Azure services, or by getting in touch directly to discuss your individual business needs.