Cloud computing has become an integral part of the modern technological landscape, and has changed the way businesses manage and deploy their IT infrastructure. Among the leading providers in the cloud computing space is Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that enables businesses to create, deploy, and manage applications and services across Microsoft’s global network of data centres. Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of services, including computing power, storage, and networking capabilities, giving businesses the flexibility and scalability they need to adapt to changing IT requirements.
In this article, we will dive into what Microsoft Azure is and explore its key features and capabilities.
What is Azure?
Microsoft Azure, also known as Azure, is a comprehensive cloud computing platform that Microsoft offers. Launched in 2010, Azure provides a wide array of cloud services, including computing power, storage, networking, databases, artificial intelligence (AI), and more. It operates on a global scale, with data centres strategically located around the world, enabling businesses to deploy and scale applications seamlessly.
According to Microsoft’s official websites, this is how they describe Microsoft Azure: “The Azure cloud platform is more than 200 products and cloud services designed to help you bring new solutions to life—to solve today’s challenges and create the future. Build, run, and manage applications across multiple clouds, on-premises, and at the edge, with the tools and frameworks of your choice.”
Azure’s versatility makes it suitable for various industries and use cases, offering solutions for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. Let’s explore some of the key features and applications of Microsoft Azure.
Before we get into the technical details of Microsoft Azure, you should understand the different types of cloud computing. Check out our article, Types of Cloud Computing: How It Works, Differences, Pros, and Cons, to learn more about this new computing method.
Microsoft Azure Features
As a suite of cloud computing environments, Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of services, including virtual machines, databases, AI and machine learning tools, and IoT solutions. Here are some of the Microsoft Azure features that they offer.
- Azure IoT Hub: Connects billions of IoT devices to the cloud so they can communicate. The data is then sent to various services, such as storage services, processing, data analysis, or telemetry data.
- Storage analytics: Logs and provides metrics data for a storage account. This data can be used to analyse usage trends, trace requests, and diagnose storage account issues.
- Azure App Service: A component of Microsoft Azure’s PaaS offering. It can be used to quickly and easily design, launch, and scale web, mobile, and API apps on any platform.
- Azure Monitor: A service that is available across the board for many Azure services and resources. It is a solution for ingesting, managing, monitoring, and analysing application and log data.
- Azure Repos: An option that provides unlimited cloud-hosted private Git Repos for a project. It supports IDE, editor, or Git client hosting and support.
- Azure CDN: A cloud service that provides developers with solutions for web content with high bandwidth and speed.
Benefits of Microsoft Azure
1. Improve backup and disaster recovery
Making sure that data is safe and available is an important part of any IT strategy. Microsoft Azure offers strong backup and disaster recovery options that help businesses protect their data and programmes from unplanned events. Businesses can automatically back up their on-premises and cloud workloads with Azure Backup. This protects data and makes sure they follow industry rules.
Another important part is Azure Site Recovery, which makes it easier to copy and restore virtual machines and physical servers. This feature makes sure that companies can have as little downtime as possible and get back up and running quickly in case of a disaster, like a natural disaster or a system failure.
2. Build and host web and mobile apps
Azure is a platform that can be used to host and build web and mobile apps. It is scalable and flexible. Making web apps, mobile app backends, and RESTful APIs, as well as deploying and managing them, is easier with Azure App Service. Developers can use many programming languages and frameworks, such as Python,.NET, Java, Node.js, and more.
Features like auto-scaling, which lets apps change resources on the fly based on demand, show that the platform is scalable. This makes sure that the system works at its best during times of high demand while keeping costs as low as possible during times of low demand.
Azure’s ability to work with well-known development tools and continuous deployment services makes the application development lifecycle even simpler.
What is Microsoft Azure used for (Image by ERP Software Blog)
3. Active Directory Distribution and Supplementation
By connecting Azure to your Active Directory, you can improve your identity and access management. This gives your DNS a global reach, centralised management, and strong security.
With Azure, you can share an Active Directory environment that is set up for direct connection around the world. As far as I know, Azure is the only cloud provider that can make your domain controller reach more computers and make AD management easier.
If you have more than one location or use both on-premise apps and cloud apps like Microsoft 365, Active Directory integration with Azure will be the main tool you use to manage and keep track of who has access to all of these apps.
Azure also lets you use multi-factor authentication, which gives your data and apps an extra layer of security without any extra work for your users. It’s also simple to set up single sign-on for cloud apps on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
4. Innovate with IoT Industry Solutions
Microsoft Azure is the best tool for companies moving towards IoT solutions because it is secure, scalable, and flexible. You can use solutions that work with your current infrastructure to connect your devices to the cloud and start gathering new information about your business.
You can keep an eye on and manage billions of devices in the Azure IoT Hub and get information that will help you make better business decisions, give your customers a better experience, cut down on costs, simplify things, and speed up development.
When it comes to IoT solutions, which often have security holes that hackers can use, Azure’s better security is a huge plus. Remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and analytics are some of the other benefits.
Azure IoT solution accelerators are ready-made templates that make it easy to get started. You can change them to fit your needs.
You have now learned all of Microsoft Azure’s features and benefits. Before you begin to consider using cloud computing for your digital business, we recommend that you read the article, Advantages and Disadvantages of Cloud Computing: Everything You Need to Know, to gain a better understanding of cloud computing from a business perspective.
Conclusion
Finally, when it comes to cloud computing platforms, Microsoft Azure can be one of your choices. It’s comprehensive and versatile.
Azure offers a comprehensive suite of services, from bolstering data resilience with strong backup and disaster recovery options to enabling innovation with Internet of Things (IoT) industry solutions. It is the perfect option for organisations looking to take advantage of cloud computing because of its scalability, flexibility, and worldwide presence.
Is cloud computing the next logical step for your company?
Cloud computing services from Axle Networks can help you innovate, be more flexible, and improve your operations. Don’t pass up this chance to succeed.
Axle Networks is a professional IT services provider based in Melbourne that provides a full suite of IT services designed specifically for your business and delivered Australia-wide!
We provide Azure consulting, Cloud File Storage Migration, Server Migration to Cloud, and Email Migration to Cloud, all handled by experts with a service tailored to your needs.Transform your business today with Axle Networks.
