Gartner named Microsoft Azure a 2017 leader in the cloud infrastructure as a service space. In the video below, iCorps VP of Technology Jeff Lauria explains the business benefits of Azure as well as the potential downsides for enterprises.
As more and more companies continue to migrate to the cloud, vendors are at the forefront. Microsoft Azure continues to gain a lot of traction in cloud storage and business environments. Recently, Microsoft was recognized by Gartner as a leader in Cloud Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Cloud Storage Services, and Platform Application as a Service (PaaS). Not convinced that Microsoft Azure Cloud services are right for your business? Here are the pros and cons of Azure:
PRO – High availability
Unlike other providers, the Microsoft Azure cloud provides high availability and redundancy in data centers on a global scale. Because of this, Azure can offer a service level agreement, or SLA, of 99.95% (about 4.38 hours of downtime per year), which most businesses cannot achieve.
PRO – Data security
Microsoft Azure has a strong focus on security, following the standard security model of Detect, Assess, Diagnose, Stabilize, and Close. Paired with strong cybersecurity controls, this model has enabled Azure to achieve multiple compliance certifications, all establishing Azure as a leader in IaaS security. Not only is the platform protected, but the end user is also covered with Azure. This multiple layer of protection is critical as security threats continue to multiply daily across the globe, targeting end users and putting your company’s data at risk. Azure provides simple, easy-to-use services for increased protection, such as authentication with the app’s multi-factor and password requirements.
PRO – scalability
Scalability is the backbone of any good cloud provider, and Azure is no different. For example, consider the following: A business runs SQL reports daily for 28 out of 30 days of the month, using minimal computing power. During the last two days of the month, there is an increase in report activity, requiring more computing power. Microsoft Azure makes calculating power up or down simple with nothing more than the click of a button. With this scalable structure, businesses have the flexibility to pay only for what they use.
PRO – profitability
IT budgets must be taken into account when choosing a cloud provider, which is why the Microsoft Azure platform is so attractive to many organizations. Azure Enterprise Pay plans allow SMBs to better manage their IT budgets by purchasing only what they need. In addition, the cloud environment allows enterprises to launch both customer and internal applications in the cloud, which reduces savings on IT infrastructure while reducing hardware and maintenance burdens on internal IT management.
CON – Requires management
As with anything, there are some potential cons to Microsoft Azure. Unlike SaaS platforms where the end user consumes information (eg Office 365), IaaS (Azure) moves your business’s computing power from the data center or office to the cloud. As with most cloud service providers, Azure must be expertly managed and maintained, which includes patching and server monitoring.
CON – Requires platform expertise
Unlike on-premise servers, Azure requires expertise to ensure all the moving parts work together effectively. A common mistake of business administrators who are not fully engaged in how well (or poorly) their cloud servers are performing is to over-provision cloud services. Although a common mistake, the computing power of on-premises servers does not translate unequivocally to the cloud, potentially costing businesses thousands of dollars per year.
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Azure Cloud Computing
As more companies move their data to the cloud, it can be difficult to figure out which provider is the best. As an IT consulting company serving small and medium-sized businesses, iCorps had to conduct its own proof of concept, migrating core business applications to Azure to ensure maximum efficiency. With a seamless migration and continued usage, iCorps hasn’t looked back, saving nearly $4,000 per month in licenses, hardware and support.
