We take a look at what Microsoft Azure can offer to the running of your business IT infrastructure.
Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing solution is redefining the way in which businesses are running. It is a fantastic example of a modern, cost-effective way of running your business infrastructure as a fully flexible IT solution. By placing your businesses’ IT infrastructure in the cloud, Azure gives you access to hundreds of different services, and only charges you for the ones you use; giving you full control of your IT budget with no need to install and maintain your own hardware and software or using a data centre.
Azure hosts a wide range of tools and technologies alongside access to a range of databases, frameworks, programming languages, backups and operating systems; allowing businesses to develop and manage applications with ease.
This is especially good news for high-risk industries such a healthcare and financial services who often require the use of specific applications as well as having to ensure the safety of data. And if you already use other Microsoft products such as 365, or servers such as Windows or Linux, then Azure seamlessly integrates with what you’re already using.
So, aside from the cost-effective cloud infrastructure, access to hundreds of different services and the ability to develop apps for your business, there are still many more advantages of Azure for your business…because of the size of Azure’s offerings, there is no limit on scalability. From 5 to 5 million users, Azure can run just as easily, and with its operational security, you can rest assured that your employees are accessing your network securely.
Azure is built on state-of-the-art security technologies to help secure businesses in terms of user identity and access. Azure also provides network and infrastructure security with its hybrid capabilities. These capabilities include VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), ExpressRoute connections, caches and Content Delivery Networks, making it easy and safe for both on-site and off-site workers.
Insights are also an important part of a successful business; Azure offers valuable insights of the apps you’re using through a feature of Azure Monitor. These insights can show you ways in which you can find and fix issues rapidly, as well as show opportunities with access to key data insights through data services and built-in support.
Every business is aware of their cybersecurity and disaster recovery capability, which is why, should the worse happen, Azure offers a built-in backup and disaster recovery solution to ensure your business is protected in the event of a data breach or other disaster that includes data loss. Using the Microsoft Azure Recovery Services (MARS) agent, the Data Protection Management (DPM) or the Microsoft Azure Backup Server (MABS), you can back up everything from all system files and folders to entire Windows/Linux Virtual Machines, to server databases and Azure blobs (a large amount of unstructured object data, such as text or binary data).
Alongside this added security, Microsoft Azure also offer automatic updates in real-time, so your infrastructure is always running at its best, giving businesses peace of mind.
These updates can also be managed on-premise or on cloud environments so you can manage updates for your servers too, if needed.
If you’ve thought about cloud computing for your business before and still wondering if it’s the right move for your business, take a look at a previous blog of ours that looks at what the benefits of cloud computing are for your business.
As a Microsoft Partner, we’re proud specialists in Microsoft Azure and how it can optimise the running of your business. If you’d like to find out more, we’d be more than happy to have a chat with you. Get in touch with our friendly team on 02036274403 or request a call back.
