As the demand for cloud computing services continues to grow, more and more businesses are turning to Microsoft Azure as their platform of choice. But why is Azure becoming such a popular choice among businesses of all sizes and industries?
There are a number of reasons why Azure is an attractive option for businesses.
In this post, we’ll outline five compelling reasons why you should consider it for your organisation.
1. Better security
Security is a critical aspect of any business, and Microsoft Azure provides a comprehensive set of security tools and compliance features that help businesses protect their data, applications and infrastructure. This includes built-in security controls, such as multi-factor authentication and encryption, as well as compliance with a wide range of industry standards.
One of the key security features of Azure is its multi-layered security approach. Azure uses a combination of network security, identity and access management, and data protection to secure the data and resources of businesses. This includes Azure Security Center, which provides continuous security assessment, and Azure Virtual Network, which allows businesses to create and manage their own virtual networks for secure communication between resources.
Another important aspect of security in Azure is its compliance with various industry standards and regulations. Azure has been certified to comply with a wide range of standards such as ISO 27001, SOC 2, and HIPAA. This gives businesses the confidence that their data and resources are secure, and that they are meeting the necessary regulatory requirements.
Finally, Azure offers various security services that can be integrated into the business's existing infrastructure, such as Azure Key Vault for secure management of encryption keys and Azure Information Protection for data classification and protection.
All these security features and services provided by Azure can help businesses to protect their data and resources, which can help them to avoid security breaches, comply with regulatory requirements, and ultimately protect their reputation and maintain customer trust.
2. Cost efficiencies
Microsoft's Azure services are cloud-based, meaning you save immediately on the purchase and maintenance of hardware. It also uses a pay-as-you-go model, which means you only pay for the resources you use, avoiding the need to invest in infrastructure and systems that accommodate peak usage, and enabling you to scale the system as required without the need to invest in additional infrastructure.
- Scale on demand: Azure allows businesses to pay only for the resources they need, when they need them. This can help businesses save money on infrastructure costs and reduce the need for expensive hardware.
- Automation: Azure can help businesses save time and money on IT staff by automating many of the processes that are typically done manually, such as provisioning and configuring servers.
- Cost optimisation: Azure offers a wide range of tools and services that can help businesses optimise their costs.
- Security: Azure is a highly secure platform, with built-in security features that can help businesses protect their data and applications from cyber threats. This in turn can have a positive impact on cost efficiencies by reducing downtime that may come about from a security breach.
According to a report*, businesses typically see a 478% three-year return on their investment in Azure. Additionally, organisations have reported savings of up to $10 million from avoided premises infrastructure and staffing costs.
3. High flexibility and scalability
One of the biggest advantages of Azure is its scalability. Businesses can easily scale their resources up or down as needed. The key benefit is that it's quick and easy to scale, meaning your staff no longer suffer a system that’s not capable of supporting a growing business.
If you’ve had complaints that your server (that was configured for, say, 50 users) is now running slowly and reducing your staff’s productivity (because there are more than 50 users now using it), Azure is your friend.
In leaner times, you can also scale back down, avoiding the cost of having unnecessary resources. This flexibility allows businesses to have a more agile and cost-effective approach to their IT operations.
Additionally, Azure's global network of data centres allows businesses to easily store and access their data from anywhere in the world, which can help to improve collaboration and productivity, which is particularly important for global organisations and those businesses where employees work remotely.
4. Streamline business operations
Azure is a powerful cloud platform that can help businesses streamline their operations in a number of ways. One of the key benefits is Azure’s ability to integrate with other Microsoft products and services, such as Microsoft 365. This allows businesses to easily connect and share data between their different systems, improving collaboration and efficiency.
Another way Azure can help streamline business operations is through automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Azure offers a wide range of automation and AI tools and services that can help businesses automate repetitive tasks and improve their decision-making processes. This can help to save time and reduce the risk of human error. Similarly, businesses can use Azure Cognitive Services to analyse large amounts of data and extract insights that can help inform business decisions.
Azure's automation and AI capabilities can help businesses speed up processes and improve efficiency, allowing them to focus on other initiatives. For example, businesses can use Azure's automation and AI tools to automate the approval process for expenses and invoices, so employees can spend more time on other tasks. Similarly, businesses can use Azure's AI capabilities to analyse customer data and improve their marketing campaigns, so they can focus on other initiatives such as product development and innovation.
5. Improved data access
Microsoft Azure provides improved data access for businesses through its various data management and storage solutions. One of these solutions is Azure SQL Database, which enables businesses to easily set up, operate and scale databases on the cloud. This allows businesses to focus on their core operations instead of worrying about the underlying infrastructure. This means a fast, reliable, and scalable database solution that can be easily set up and managed on the cloud. With Azure SQL Database, businesses can enjoy a number of benefits such as high availability, automatic backups, built-in security features, and the ability to scale up or down as required.
Azure also offers services like Azure Data Lake, which allows businesses to store and analyse large amounts of data from various sources, including structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data. This provides businesses with insights from their data that can inform critical business decisions.
Another way Azure improves data access for businesses is through Azure Cosmos DB, a globally distributed, multi-model database service which allows businesses to access their data from anywhere in the world. This is particularly useful for businesses with global operations, as they can access and analyse their data in real time, regardless of their location.
All these solutions provided by Azure can benefit businesses in various ways. By having easy access to their data, businesses can make more informed decisions, improve their operations, and ultimately increase their revenue.
Cloud computing made simple (for businesses of any size)
Azure is becoming an increasingly popular choice among businesses due to its scalability, security, and wide range of services. It is a powerful and versatile cloud computing platform that can provide businesses with a wide range of benefits.
Whether you're a small business just starting out, or a large enterprise looking for a more efficient and cost-effective way to manage your IT resources, Azure can help you to achieve your goals. With Azure, you can easily scale your resources up or down as needed, access your data from anywhere in the world, and take advantage of the latest technologies to improve your operations and stay ahead of the competition.
Ready to take advantage of the many benefits of Microsoft Azure? Get in touch with our Azure experts who will be delighted to discuss your requirements. For qualifying businesses, we’re also offering a free Azure assessment - contact us now for more information.
Sources
Forrester Consulting Total Economic Impact™ Study: Microsoft Azure IaaS, commissioned by Microsoft, October 2019.