If you’re planning to modernise your IT infrastructure, Microsoft Azure is likely already on your radar. But what exactly is Azure and why are so many organisations moving to it?
This guide will break down everything you need to know in simple, easy to understand language, from what Azure is used for, to its flexible pricing model and key benefits.
Table of contents
- What is Microsoft Azure?
- Key features of Microsoft Azure
- Azure pricing calculator
- Key benefits of Azure
- Who is Microsoft Azure for?
- Ready to get started with Microsoft Azure?
What is Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that is designed for scalability, reliability and security. For businesses, Azure allows you to spend less time maintaining server hardware and data centres, as well as moving IT expenditure from a capital expenditure (CapEx) model to operational expenditure (OpEx).
With predictable monthly costs that can scale with you, it allows you to set up new services quickly, easily increase capacity during busy periods and only pay for the services that your business needs.
Key features of Microsoft Azure
Azure offers a comprehensive suite of more than 200 cloud-based products, which are organised across 21 product categories. These categories include:
- AI + machine learning: Develop a wide range of applications for automation, analytics and predictive insights, for example.
- Analytics: Collect, store and analyse data at all scales.
- Compute: Provide the infrastructure that is needed to run your apps.
- Databases: Manage all of your database needs, with automated management, security controls and compliance certification.
- Networking: Provide connectivity between cloud and on-premises infrastructure and services.
- Security: Protect your IT infrastructure against cyber attacks and other threats.
- Storage: Securely store data, apps and so on with high availability.
This very broad range of available services means that there are many different applications for Azure. Some of the most common ones include:
- Running virtual machines (VMs): Instead of having a physical server that sits in an air-conditioned cupboard or data centre, you can run servers in Azure. This allows you to easily upgrade when needed, instead of having to wait for hardware to be delivered.
- Storing data: organisations often have data they need to keep but don’t need to access on a regular basis. Azure offers secure, low-cost storage that lets you keep your data for as long as needed, without having to maintain on-premises storage solutions.
- Backup and disaster recovery: If your office were to have a natural disaster such as a fire or flood, would your business be able to continue operations as normal? With services such as Azure Site Recovery, you can be up and running again in a matter of minutes, allowing business-critical operations to continue.
Azure pricing calculator
Azure offers a free trial so that you can see its products and services for yourself. After this, one of the pricing options is a consumption-based model, meaning that you ‘pay as you go’ – and only for the particular modular services that you use. This makes it a cost-effective choice for businesses of all sizes.
Traditional IT infrastructure requires CapEx, such as large upfront costs for servers, software licences and maintenance. Azure, however, operates on OpEx model, meaning that you have predictable monthly costs for the products you use.
There are many products and prices involved with Microsoft Azure – if you require more information, please refer to Azure’s pricing. We also recommend exploring Azure’s pricing calculator and Total Cost of Ownership calculator to better understand the cost of individual services. Azure has a product to fit almost every use case. By using the pricing calculator, you can get an accurate cost estimate for any of Azure’s services.
It’s also worth noting that for long-term use, subscribers can receive discounts with commitment-based reservations and savings plans. These allow you to pay a lower overall price for a selection of products for a fixed length of time.
Key benefits of Azure
1. Cost efficiency
Because of the pay-as-you-go pricing model alongside the modular format of the products, Azure is a cost-effective option. There is no need for significant upfront investment in expensive hardware, as with the traditional model for upgrades to IT infrastructure.
2. Scalability
According to Microsoft, “Azure delivers the most far-reaching cloud footprint in the industry, connected through one of the world’s largest networks. With over 300 highly secure data centres in more than 60 regions worldwide, Azure gives organisations more regions to choose from than any other cloud provider.”
This means that admins can quickly and easily add or remove computing power, storage or services as and when required. For example, if you know that you have a busy Christmas season every year, you can choose to increase your computer power during this time, rather than having it unused for a significant portion of the year. This ensures you only pay for what you need, when you need it.
Azure can also cope with huge variations in traffic, such as spikes during sales or promotions, without any slowdowns.
3. Security and compliance
Azure contains many built-in security features, including encryption and threat detection. This helps it to meet strict compliance standards (e.g. GDPR and ISO) and ensures the ongoing continuity of your business.
4. Reliability
Microsoft has proven the reliability of its systems over many years and provides around 99.9% uptime for most services, including Azure.
Azure contains automatic backup and disaster recovery options to keep your business running even if your on-premises systems fail. The reliability of the Azure platform makes designing your Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery plan easier.
5. Integration and partnership
Azure has been designed to work seamlessly with other commonly used Microsoft products, such as Office 365 and Windows Server.
Who is Microsoft Azure for?
Azure has something to offer for most modern businesses. But in general, Azure is designed for businesses that want to:
- Reduce hardware costs – Avoid large upfront investments in servers and data centres.
- Scale flexibly – Easily adjust IT resources as demand grows or shrinks.
- Improve security and compliance – Benefit from Microsoft’s enterprise-grade security.
- Support remote work – Enable secure access to company systems from anywhere.
Also, it’s particularly useful for:
- Medium-sized businesses looking to modernise and strengthen their IT infrastructure.
- Small business owners who need enterprise-level tools without any unnecessary complexity.
- IT teams managing hybrid setups (i.e. a mix of cloud and on-premises systems).
Ready to get started with Microsoft Azure?
If you’re thinking about moving to Azure but need expert guidance, our cloud services can help you with:
- Azure deployment – Ensuring a smooth transition from on-premises systems.
- Cost optimisation – Ensuring you only pay for exactly what you need.
- Ongoing support – Resolving operational issues, such as security updates and scaling.
- Azure audit – Checking that Azure is doing exactly what you want it to do and in the most efficient way.
To discover how we can transform your IT infrastructure with Azure, please contact us today.
