Microsoft Azure News • 4 November 2022
What is Microsoft Azure?
What is Microsoft Azure?
Rosie Andrews
Businesses all over the world are moving to cloud-based platforms. Did you know that 95% of Fortune Companies have already switched to Microsoft Azure?
The future of business is cloud-based – we know that. With minimised downtime, enhanced security, and improved decision-making, the cloud offers many benefits for businesses.
Is Microsoft Azure the right cloud platform for your business? Let’s find out. We’ll explore everything you need to know – from what it is, to how it can work for you.
What’s Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure is a private, cloud-based platform provided by Microsoft. It holds everything you need to run your business, including information databases, documents, emails, AI, and more. Essentially, it’s an on-demand data centre that securely stores all your business’ information virtually, rather than on physical hardware.
Since it’s a private cloud, you can scale your Azure cloud up or down as required. This means you can pick and choose applications, adding or removing them at any time. You can also choose between three different forms of cloud computing: IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS. Each of these has varying levels of responsibility for your business, so it depends on how much control you need. Let’s look at these in more detail.
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
IaaS gives you the most control over your cloud. Your business pays to rent Microsoft Azure’s servers, networks, and storage, but you decide how the cloud functions. This means you build the entire cloud infrastructure and are responsible for maintaining it.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
The PaaS computing model means you purchase platforms from Microsoft Azure. The infrastructure is already built, but you’re in control of all data and applications, so you can build these as you see fit.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
The entire cloud and associated infrastructure are built for you with the SaaS model. It runs via software applications you access over the internet, like your emails or Microsoft Office. Microsoft Azure oversees everything from networking to applications.
What are Microsoft Azure’s main services?
Microsoft Azure services include over 200 applications, grouped into 21 categories. Here’s an insight into some of the most common services businesses use.
Compute
Azure Compute delivers the essential infrastructure needed to run applications, with the flexibility to deploy and scale across your machines. This includes App Service, Azure CycleCloud, Linux Virtual Machines, and Azure Virtual Desktop, among others.
Networking
Networking services allow you to connect office devices and services with the cloud quickly and securely. These applications help manage connections to applications, prevent DDoS attacks, and enable employees to connect remotely.
Storage
Azure offers scalable data storage solutions that you can customise to store and transfer data. These include hybrid cloud storage services, disk storage, and file sync applications.
IOT
Azure’s Internet of Things (IoT) services enable you to connect devices and services to gain data and analytics into behaviours. For instance, applications allow you to detect security threats to IoT assets in real-time or send push notifications to devices on a large scale.
Migrations
Businesses can access applications to support their Azure migration and make it as seamless as possible. These services include database migration, disaster recovery, appliance data transfer, and more.
Mobile
Mobile applications allow you to build, develop, test, and scale cross-platform apps for use on both web and mobile. This includes App Configuration, Azure Maps, and API Configuration.
Analytics
With analytics applications like Machine Learning and Azure Data Share, you can gather essential data and insights across the cloud. This lets you make informed business decisions based on data and improve customer experiences.
AI
Azure’s range of artificial intelligence (AI) services enables you to deploy machine learning to study behaviours, monitor systems, and take over day-to-day business tasks. For example, businesses may use AI to handle virtual customer service requests through a chat service.
Databases
Azure’s database applications ensure all information is easily accessible, up-to-date, and stored securely in the cloud. Developers can also use database services to build and update apps, generate performance insights, and access intelligence data.
Security
Azure’s security services can identify, manage, and respond to security threats to your devices and network both on your business premises and in remote locations. This includes, for example, firewalls, VPN gateways, and key vaults.
What is Microsoft Azure used for?
With hundreds of applications, two business Azure clouds rarely look alike. That said, most businesses use the cloud for similar reasons, especially data management, storage, and recovery. Let’s look at how Microsoft Azure could be used across your organisation.
- Disaster recovery – Azure automatically backs up stored data in a secure location, so you never risk losing important information permanently.
- Enhanced security – The cloud comes with bulletproof security features to enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity practices, including firewalls, DDoS protection, accessibility management, and more.
- Host and develop apps – Azure’s app-building services make it easy to develop cross-platform apps for both web and mobile, schedule updates and improve customer experiences.
- Gather insights – Use AI services and other applications to turn data into actionable insights for improved decision-making, such as learning about customer behaviours or monitoring security threats.
- Remote access – Provide secure connectivity to your business network and data from remote areas by removing the need for on-site access. Since everything is held in the cloud, employees can work from anywhere, at any time.
Who uses Microsoft Azure?
Azure is a flexible and scalable cloud-based platform, so it can be used by companies of all sizes, no matter how small. Businesses can easily customise their Azure cloud solution, adding and removing the applications as needed.
At Fabric IT, we’re experts in IT cloud services. We’ll work alongside your business to help you find the Azure solution right for you. A dedicated account manager is on-hand to support you through every step, ensuring your Azure migration runs smoothly. If you’re ready to move to the cloud, speak with a member of our team today by calling us on 01625 443 110.