Azure is a powerful and flexible cloud computing platform designed with innovation and resilience at the forefront. It helps organisations structure, utilise and manage applications and services across the network, and ensures businesses get more value than ever from their IT infrastructure.
Worldwide, almost 200,000 businesses use Microsoft Azure, with the majority of those being small to medium sized companies. This is unsurprising given the huge benefits Azure offers when it comes to scalability, security, and vitally, cost-savings.
Below, we explore some of the main benefits of Microsoft Azure, and how they help to keep your enterprise on the cutting edge.
Cost effectiveness
Now more than ever, businesses must be able to do more with less. Cost savings are therefore one of the main priorities when it comes to IT solutions. For many businesses, they remain with outdated legacy systems simply because developing a new IT infrastructure requires a huge upfront investment of capital.
Azure essentially solves this problem, as you are renting your server from Microsoft. Not only does this save in terms of maintenance and replacement, but you can always be assured that you will have a server configured to your exact requirements, and with enough capacity. In one study by Microsoft, they found companies saved up to 34% on Azure spending in the first year of use.
Backup and disaster recovery
No matter the industry you operate in, you want to be assured that if something goes wrong, your company data will be safe. Microsoft Azure is able to recover data, on average, 66% faster than an on-premise IT solution. Using Azure’s Site Recovery, you can recover data at a secondary site or directly into the cloud, providing exceptional peace of mind.
Similarly, the data back-up services offered by Azure are second to none. It offers 99 years of retention, as well as single-click backup support.
Scalability
Azure is designed to adapt to the specific needs of your business, not the other way around. With this in mind, you only pay for what you use, making Azure uniquely adapted to growing businesses, or those which experience seasonal demand. You do not need to worry about an IT infrastructure being underutilised, as you are free to scale up and scale down the service as it suits the needs of your organisation.
Additionally, Azure differs from traditional hosting, making scaling far easier by allowing you to switch between various service plans depending on your requirements.
Deployment
Businesses must be agile, and able to respond efficiently to rapidly shifting circumstances if they wish to retain a competitive edge – Azure is built with this in mind. Companies can quickly and easily deploy apps across the entire organisation in the cloud, allowing unbeatable flexibility.
This flexibility also extends to hybrid deployment, allowing your business to leverage existing in-house IT resources and the benefits of Azure’s cloud solutions simultaneously.
Access, security and compliance
Azure offers high levels of security for all data stored on the cloud. Access to this data is controlled through two-tier authentication, proxy card access readers, and other sophisticated security measures. Additionally, hacking risks are considerably reduced with Azure Active Directory and its Identity and Access Management solutions.
For sectors such as legal, education and finance, you can be confident that data and access to that data is compliant with all applicable regulations, while Identity and Access Management makes it easier for staff to access the data they need to do their work in a safe and secure way.
Final thoughts
Microsoft Azure is an incredibly powerful platform built with the needs of your business put first. The business benefits outlined above only scratch the surface of what is possible with this platform, and its capabilities are constantly growing.
If you want to discuss how Microsoft Azure can help to transform your business, get in touch to request an obligation-free meeting with a free assessment of your IT estate.
