Whilst network-based computing has been around for over fifty years, the term ‘Cloud’ was first used in 2006, when then Google CEO Eric Schmidt introduced the term to an industry conference.
Since that time, virtually all IT vendors have developed a cloud offering, and businesses have embraced the many benefits that cloud services can bring.
In this article, we will find out what Azure cloud services are, what cloud computing is, and how it can benefit your business.
What is Microsoft Azure?
Azure Cloud is Microsoft’s cloud computing offering that runs across more than 200 global data centres. It is highly available, with a service level agreement of 99.95% availability, together with 24 x 7 technical support.
What is Cloud computing?
Cloud computing is an alternative to owning and running a dedicated IT system of servers and storage. It allows businesses and individuals to access shared technology services, such as compute power, storage, databases, and applications, on a flexible and scalable pay-as-you-go basis.
How does Microsoft Azure work?
Microsoft Azure works by delivering computing services over the internet through a global network of secure data centres.
Instead of running applications, storing data, or managing servers on physical hardware in your own office building or home, Azure allows you to access these resources on demand via the cloud.
Microsoft Azure uses virtualisation technology, where physical servers in Microsoft data centres are divided into multiple virtual machines (VMs). Each VM acts like an independent server, allowing businesses to run applications, host websites, manage databases, and store data without owning or maintaining the underlying hardware.
How is Microsoft Azure used?
Microsoft Azure can be configured to include a large range of services and applications, on a pay-as-you-go basis, and offers much more than a simple off-premises replacement of hardware, software, and networking.
For example, AI and machine learning applications include a Bot service, which allows consumer-facing businesses to create conversational AI experiences to enhance their customer support.
Another example is content moderation, which can be used to automate image, text, and video monitoring.
Analytics is a popular use of Azure, allowing data mining and the management of Big Data repositories. Application development is also fully supported, with the ability to build, manage and continuously deliver cloud applications, using any platform or language.
What businesses can use Microsoft Azure Cloud Services?
Because of the pricing structure for Microsoft’s cloud offering, you only pay for the services you use, so Azure is used by businesses and organisations of all sizes and individuals, spanning from sectors such as professional services, manufacturing, banking, government, and retail, being the most cited.
According to Microsoft, over 95% of Fortune 500 companies trust Azure to run part or all of their IT systems. There are over 1,800 worldwide Azure case studies, including more than 750 in Europe.
What Cloud models does Microsoft Azure support?
Microsoft Azure Services offers various levels of service, including:
Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
This allows businesses to add their own operating systems, middleware and applications to an Azure-provided cloud compute power (server) and storage environment.
Platform as a Service (PaaS)
This helps Azure provide and manage the operating system and middleware layer, with a business providing the application.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
This can provide the option of Microsoft and 3rd party applications being available as part of the Cloud offering. Azure provides the entire solution stack, including relevant licences.
Microsoft Azure Marketplace: What is it?
The Azure Marketplace is an online store that offers Microsoft and third-party applications and services that can be used as part of the Azure offering.
All the offerings are certified through the Microsoft Azure Certified program to ensure full compatibility. You can find, try, buy, and deploy the software and services needed to build new solutions and manage your cloud infrastructure.
The catalogue includes solutions for different industries and technical areas. Many of the offerings include a free trial as well as support from the supplying Microsoft Partner.
Can Microsoft Azure be used for Disaster Recovery?
The nature of Microsoft Azure means that a company’s backup data will be stored off-site and available in the case of an on-premise IT issue. As the data is stored outside a company’s core IT systems, it is also more protected from issues such as ransomware.
Multiple copies of backup data can be created and stored on different data centres in the Azure cloud. In the case of a major IT failure, a business can quickly and simply create cloud-based systems, using the backup data, to recover business functionality.
Because of the pay-as-you-use nature of Azure, this provides a very cost-effective solution for a business, only paying for the cloud-based services in the rare case of an in-house IT failure.
How much does Microsoft Azure cost?
The cost of Microsoft Azure depends on what services you use, so there is no simple answer. There is the option of starting a 30-day free trial, which also includes some free services for the next twelve months.
This may help an individual or small business to evaluate Azure in an extremely cost-effective manner.
Whilst Azure offers competitive pay-as-you-go pricing, for larger projects and businesses, there are fixed-cost options for periods of 12 to 36 months, which offer substantial discounts.
Need help with Microsoft Azure?
The best way to find out more about Azure is to work with an accredited Microsoft Cloud Partner such as Mintivo. With no sales calls, obligations, or charges, we would be pleased to discuss how Azure can help your business. Mintivo have worked with many valued customers to help deliver IT solutions to meet their business needs. To find out more about Azure and how Mintivo can help, please get in touch.
