There’s an avalanche of information regarding the most important step, and which addition to make first, but in reality, not all of that info is relevant to your organization. Not all solutions align to your strategies and might not even fit your business model.

One thing you can count on is the prevalence of cloud-based technology. Moving data and systems into the cloud and away from being stored on-premise is a monumental shift for many employees, and requires a powerful system to handle both the transition and the requirements of your new processes. Microsoft Azure is the perfect example of a platform that is built precisely to handle these types of challenges. Not quite sure of what that is? SCP has put together a quick guide to fill you in on all you need to know.

What Is Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based platform that can be used to integrate systems, applications, and data. It includes Software-as-a-service (SaaS), Infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS), and Platform-as-a-service (PaaS) solutions, and can be utilized to completely transform the way that your business does business. Azure has functionality across a range of industries, allowing limitless flexibility. It enables analytics, virtual computing, storage, networking, and integration of existing and new applications into your processes. Built to solve your business’s challenges, Azure can be used to replace or assist your existing structures.

How Does Microsoft Azure Work?

Azure functions as an open-source, public cloud computing service. As well as Microsoft’s offerings, third-party developers offer solutions and apps through Azure, which are able to incorporate them into any framework using its cloud-based platform. This Integration-platform-as-a-service (iPaaS) replaces other models of integration like hub-and-spoke, point-to-point, and middleware, and allows for near-complete freedom around updating your applications and processes. The infrastructure services are handled by Azure’s technicians, liberating you from the need for constant support for your systems, and you can rest easy knowing that your applications will always have the latest up-to-date software. As Azure is open-source, new applications can be developed to suit your specific needs, and implemented seamlessly into your systems.

Azure Features & Benefits

As with many cloud-based enterprise application solutions, cost is a major factor in Azure’s favour. Scaling is much more cost effective with a pay-as-you-use model, and can be achieved rapidly when the need arises to increase the size that you are operating at. Not only do you save on structures and software, but there is no need to employ an IT team in order to provide basic upkeep on your systems. This slims down your operating budgets by significant margins.

The obvious benefit of Azure is the flexibility that it affords. You no longer need to search for individual solutions for each new application that you wish to install – the cloud platform integrates your systems, organizes your data, and provides you with instantaneous analytics.

Microsoft’s broad range of offerings also provide you with access to any application that you are interested in, and the flexibility of the system means that you are able to develop your own plugin – so long as it’s compatible with Azure – and the platform will do the rest.

And finally, you can be assured that your data is secure with Azure’s protection policies. State of the art software keeps your data secure, protecting you and your customers from information breaches. Microsoft’s colossal spending power allows it to implement far stronger protocols than you would be able to on your own, securing your data and providing peace of mind.

As a licensed Microsoft Azure implementation partner, SCP can guide you along an implementation, executing on tailor-made plans for your business. We have seen it all – across a range of industries and types of organization – and we have the experience to find the perfect fit for you and your business. Ensure that your transformation unlocks the growth you need at your organization. Enquire today about our Microsoft Azure services.