Microsoft Azure simply explained

What is Microsoft Azure and what is it for

Microsoft Azure is Microsoft's public cloud computing platform, consisting of more than 100 services to optimize business processes. From the creation and replication of virtual machines in the cloud to machine learning and the development of online applications, Azure services make it possible to speed up in a scalable way the activities that revolve around:

• data management and analysis;
• security and identity management;
• networking;
• resource management and planning.

Even if these services do not always represent savings compared to those of other platforms, the advantages they provide in terms of cost-flexibility ratio make Azure a unique product when compared to common on-prem solutions or traditional infrastructures. We said that Microsoft Azure is a public cloud computing platform. By 'cloud computing', we mean the IT resources such as software, databases and servers that come distributed and maintained by an online provider. In the case of Azure, Microsoft.

Consequently, companies that make use of Azure services can count on the technical support of the famous manufacturer to solve problems related to the creation or migration of their IT infrastructure to the cloud, as well as receive advice for the development of their online apps. In addition, they are sure to import and exchange their data in a protected environment, as it is based on the same security protocols that characterize the Microsoft 365 digital work environment.

A third important aspect to emphasize then concerns costs. Since the provider is responsible for keeping the resources mentioned earlier in the cloud, a company must Pay only for consumption. This translates into significant savings in the costs of building — and also maintaining — your own IT infrastructure.

However, we must point out that such savings are not always guaranteed. In fact, there are cases in which the use of a cloud computing platform such as Azure involves even higher costs than those expected by more traditional solutions. Such a situation could arise when IaaS services are widely used or when the provider is asked for the wrong resources for their business.

The advice we give so as not to waste energy and investments in this way is to carefully evaluate both the type of infrastructure that best suits your company and the people to whom you will manage it.

Finally, we come to the last part of the definition that we have given you. By “public”, we trivially mean a platform accessible to any type of user, whether they are individuals or entire organizations. Another reason that determined the flexibility, convenience and security of Azure services.

What sets Microsoft Azure apart from its competitors

Microsoft Azure offers several advantages. For example, it is a hybrid cloud system, that is, it represents common ground where developers of any language and technology can work, without going to the detriment of the requirements of the GDPR. Or again, we could highlight its wide coverage, which covers a network of about 54 regions.

However, there are other features that differentiate Azure from the main competitors, including Google Cloud, AWS, Oracle and IBM Cloud. For summary reasons, we present the 3 most important:

1. Convenient integration with Microsoft products: Azure services can be used to strengthen or diversify the functionality of Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Visual Studio and SQL Server.
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2. Roles provided through RBAC: Azure has advanced security features and, among these, the management of user permissions through RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) stands out. In fact, the term RBAC indicates an access control method that is based on the roles assigned to users by the company, each of which is accompanied by a specific set of permissions valid throughout the Azure environment.
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3. Convenience of services: Azure is user-friendly. The nomenclature and hierarchical structure of its services are in fact able to create a uniquely simple user experience. Even governance management is not perceived as a problem.

After that, we could mention once again the price. We already talked about it in the previous chapter, but it's worth repeating that Azure's pay-as-you-go mode has some important differences compared to its competitors. In fact, it does not require the payment of an initial cost or an obligation to use its services, which can be tested starting from a free tenant. Instead, it offers the possibility of obtaining discounts on consumption through a reservation (a request for a commitment to purchase a monthly resource capacity), Enterprise Agreement or partner.

What are the main services offered by Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure offers a wide range of services that extend beyond imagination. Although it may seem like an exaggeration, considering that the Microsoft site mentions “more than 200” services, the constantly evolving nature of the platform suggests that this number is only a starting point. With so many options available, trying to list every single service would be an impossible task. However, we can outline a general picture of what Azure offers and how it can be used to optimize business processes.

To fully understand the Azure ecosystem, it is useful to divide its services into three main macro-categories:

1. Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): This category includes services that allow businesses to outsource IT infrastructure management. This means that businesses can benefit from resources such as virtual machines, networks, and storage without having to worry about the physical maintenance of those resources. Azure offers a wide range of options for businesses that want to scale their infrastructure based on current needs.
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2. Platform as a Service (PaaS): Here we find services designed for developing, running and managing business applications in the cloud. With PaaS, businesses can focus on developing their applications without having to worry about managing the underlying infrastructure. This approach allows for greater agility and speed in the development and deployment of applications.
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3. Software as a Service (SaaS): This category includes services that offer access to application software in the cloud, allowing businesses to use applications as online services. With SaaS, businesses can access a wide range of applications without having to install or maintain software locally.

In addition to these macro categories, it is possible to identify additional subcategories based on the type of service offered:

• Compute: This subcategory includes services for developing and managing virtual machines, containers, and batch processes. Azure offers flexibility and scalability to meet a wide range of computing needs.
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• Mobile: Azure provides services for developing cloud apps for mobile devices, allowing companies to reach their customers on multiple devices.
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• Storage: With scalable storage services, Azure enables businesses to store structured and unstructured data reliably and securely.
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• Identity & Security: Azure offers solutions to protect user access, cryptographic keys and information stored in the Azure environment, ensuring the security and compliance of business data.
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• IoT: Azure provides tools to analyze, monitor and manage data from enterprise IoT devices, allowing businesses to fully exploit the potential of the Internet of Things.
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• AI and machine learning: With advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, Azure allows companies to integrate cognitive abilities into their applications and data sets, opening up new opportunities for innovation and business process optimization.

To fully understand how Azure can be used to build an enterprise application, it's important to consider three key elements: computing, storage, and networking.

Regarding the first crucial element, computing, Microsoft Azure offers a series of services designed to meet a wide range of needs:

• Azure Virtual Machines: This IaaS service allows you to create and manage virtual machines (VMs) in the cloud, offering a variety of options for configuring the operating system and the size of the VM according to the company's needs.
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• Azure App Service: As a PaaS solution, Azure App Service allows you to host web and mobile apps without the need to worry about the underlying infrastructure. Users can focus on developing and configuring their apps, while Azure manages the execution environment.
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• Azure Container Instances: This service offers the ability to run business applications inside containers, including the third-party components necessary for the applications themselves to operate. It's a fast and flexible solution for running containers without the need to manage an orchestration infrastructure.
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• Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): AKS is a managed solution that makes it easy to deploy, manage, and orchestrate containerized applications at scale. It's especially useful for managing complex applications that involve multiple containers and require a robust infrastructure.

Moving on to the second key element, storage, Azure offers a series of dedicated services:

• Azure Blob Storage: This service is ideal for archiving unstructured data, allowing data to be organized according to frequency of use and ensuring fast and reliable access.
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• Azure File Storage and Azure Data Lake Storage: Both services offer a more structured file organization than Blob Storage, allowing you to manage large volumes of data in an efficient and scalable way.
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• Azure SQL Database and Azure Open Source Database: These services provide fully managed relational databases for processing online transactions, offering high performance, reliability, and advanced security.
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• Azure Synapse Analytics: This service is designed for advanced data analysis and integration, allowing companies to execute complex queries on large data sets and obtain significant insights to support business decisions.
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• Azure Cosmos DB: It is a globally distributed database that can handle an immense amount of data, offering high performance and elastic scalability.

Let's conclude with the third fundamental element, networking. Azure offers a range of services for connectivity and network management:

• VNet and subnet: These services allow you to create virtual networks and divide them into specific subgroups, making it easier to connect and organize resources within the cloud.
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• Azure VPN and Express Route: Both services allow you to connect Azure virtual networks with on-premises local networks in a secure and reliable way. Express Route offers an additional benefit, allowing traffic to be routed through a direct private connection over the Microsoft backbone.
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• Private Endpoint: This service allows PaaS services to be integrated into virtual networks, ensuring secure and private access to services by business applications.

Microsoft Azure is therefore presented as a complete and versatile ecosystem of cloud services designed to respond to the ever-increasing challenges and needs of modern companies.

With a wide range of computing, storage and networking services, Azure offers flexible and scalable solutions that enable businesses to innovate, grow and succeed in the rapidly evolving digital world.

Whether it's hosting business-critical applications, managing large volumes of data, or ensuring secure and reliable connectivity, Azure offers the resources and tools needed to address the most complex challenges.

FAQ on Microsoft Azure

What is Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform offering over 200 services, including data management, security, and networking. Businesses use it to manage IT infrastructure in the cloud, benefiting from flexibility and scalability.

How does Microsoft Azure differ from competitors?

Microsoft Azure stands out for its seamless integration with Microsoft products, role-based access control (RBAC), and a user-friendly interface. It also offers cost flexibility with its pay-as-you-go model.

What are the main services offered by Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure services include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). Key offerings include virtual machines, data storage, and advanced security features.

How does Microsoft Azure support business applications?

Microsoft Azure helps businesses by providing scalable computing resources, secure data storage, and networking solutions. It offers tools for developing cloud applications, AI, and IoT integrations to enhance business processes.

What is the pricing structure of Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, allowing businesses to only pay for the resources they use. There are discounts for long-term commitments through reservations or enterprise agreements.