A Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Azure

Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services, so things like your servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics but in the cloud. What do we mean in the cloud? The cloud is an incredible network of remove services that storage and manage data, services, and applications. 

In this article, we’ll be exploring cloud computing but in terms of Microsoft Azure cloud services. But in general, cloud computing is great for accessibility, security, flexibility and much more. 

What is Microsoft Azure Cloud Computing? 

Microsoft Azure is a powerful cloud computing platform that was launched by Microsoft back in 2010. The Azure estate has variety of cloud services to help growing businesses, such computing, storage, networking, databases, analytics, and AI. Azure has over 200 products and services across a global network of data centres. 

Microsoft is a leading business application provider, there aren’t many people on this planet that has never heard of Microsoft. But why is Microsoft Azure so popular? Well, here are just some of things Azure can offer a business: 

• Cost Efficiency: On-demand pricing options so you only need to pay for the resources you actually use.   

• Security and Compliance: Azure has great security features and compliance certifications, so you can continue to meet regulatory requirements. 

• Disaster recovery: Azure has advanced disaster recovery solutions to help you quickly recover and minimise downtime.  

• Enhance Productivity: Cloud computing allows for better collaboration between your team.  

• Streamlined Business Operations: Azure reduces manual tasks and improves overall efficiency by automating and enhancing processes across your business.  

• Integration Options: Azure is deeply integrated with other Microsoft products, such as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Teams, Microsoft Defender, and more. 

• Advanced Technologies: Azure has a range of services you can use, such as AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics. 

The versatile features make Microsoft Azure a reliable cloud platform for businesses of all sizes. 

Introduction to Microsoft Azure Services 

Now that you know what Azure is and how useful it can be, it’s a good idea to explore the Azure cloud solutions that we think will help your business run smoothly in the cloud: 

• Azure Virtual Machines: Servers that are managed by Microsoft in their data centres and are built for IT needs.
• Azure Virtual Desktop: Curate and manage the desktop experience your users work with.  
• Azure Storage: Cloud data storage that scales with you. Azure Storage is highly available and incredibly secure. 
• Azure Logic Apps: Empowers application and data integrations across cloud and on-premises environments.
•  Azure Functions: Create serverless workflows and is ideal for running scheduled tasks, processing file uploads, and real-time data processing. 

Which Areas of Your Business will Benefit from Azure 

Azure is an all-round great platform, so much so it could help your security, application development, data management, and budgeting. 

Security 

Azure can enhance your security, with its comprehensive security features. These are all the way Azure can help improve your cyber security health: 

• Built-in Security Control: Network security groups, firewalls, and DDoS protection, to safeguard your infrastructure.
• Disaster Recovery: If there is a breach of security, Azure’s advanced disaster recovery solutions help you quickly recover.
• Stay Compliant: We all understand the importance of compliance, Microsoft does too. Azure has features that can help ensure your business stays compliant. Azure ensures your data is protected and regulatory requirements are met. 
• Threat Detection: Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel has advanced threat detection and response capabilities, helping you find and mitigate potential security threats quickly.
• Identity & Access Management: Azure Active Directory gives you the power to manage user identities and control access to resources, so only authorised users can access sensitive data.
• Encryption: Azure offers encryption for data both at rest and in transit. This means that your data is protected whether it's stored in the cloud or being transferred between services.
• Regularly Updated: Azure continuously updates its security features to address new threats and vulnerabilities, ensuring that your environment stays secure. 

Data Management 

Your data is important, and it should be taken care of at any cost. Azure’s data management tools make it quite the powerful platform.  

Azure’s data management tools, include but are not limited to: 

• Azure Data Factory: A cloud-based data integration service that allows you to create, schedule, and orchestrate data workflows. 
• Azure Databricks: An analytics platform optimised for Azure that provides a unified interface for data processing, machine learning, and analytics.
• Azure SQL Database: Offers built-in high availability, backups, and scaling and supports various data management tasks, including data storage, retrieval, and security.
• Azure Data Lake Storage: A scalable and secure data lake for high-performance analytics workloads. You can store and analyse large amounts of structured and unstructured data.
• Azure Purview: A unified data governance solution that helps you manage and govern your on-premises, multi-cloud, and SaaS data. 
• Azure Synapse Analytics: An integrated analytics service that combines big data and data warehousing.   

Budgeting 

You will be pleased to know that Azure can be cost-effective, especially if you’re currently using on-premises servers.  

Azure can help you with budgeting by: 

• Forecasting: Forecasting tools that predict future spending based on historical data. So, you can plan and distribute your budget more accurately.
• Microsoft Cost Management: Monitor, analyse, and optimise your cloud spending, by setting budgets, track costs, and receive alerts when spending exceeds predefined thresholds.
• Azure Budgets: As part of Azure there is Microsoft Cost Management. You can create budgets for different scopes such as subscriptions, resource groups, or specific resources. 
• Cost Analysis: Azure can give you detailed cost analysis tools that let you break down your spending by resource, service, or time. You can use all the information to help identify cost drivers and optimise your spending.
• Cost Optimisation Recommendations: Optimise your costs with tailored recommendations from Azure Advisor. 

What’s also great about Azure is that you only pay for what you use. This means that you won’t need to be making an unnecessary spending. When you are ready scale, Azure scales with you. 

Final Thoughts on Microsoft Azure 

Azure is an expansive platform that grows with your business. The cloud platform can modernise your IT estate, and help with areas such as security, data management, budgeting and more. 

If you’re not already using Azure, you should consider looking for an IT partner for Azure migration services.