What is Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure is a comprehensive hosting solution for businesses who want to avoid purchasing and building out their own technology infrastructure. Because so many businesses use Windows and Microsoft software, Azure grew quickly because these applications work seamlessly in the Azure cloud.
Many companies are familiar with and have adopted the Microsoft Office 365 product which is purchased as software as a service (SaaS) and provides businesses with a suite of products such as Word and Excel. It’s common for companies to have other SaaS products in their business operations that provide specific capabilities for unique business operations.
An online accounting software product, like Quickbooks Online, would be an example of a non-Microsoft SaaS offering. Unlike Office 365, the Microsoft Azure product includes additional capabilities that are categorized as infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS).
IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)
IaaS products provide companies with the ability to scale up and down their technology needs in the form of hardware and servers. Companies often appreciate the ability to quickly ramp up computing infrastructure, security application and servers, managed completely through the Internet connection. Azure charges a monthly subscription that allows for creating and deploying as much or as little cloud space and capability as needed.
PaaS (Platform as a Service)
Azure has the additional capability of being a platform as a service or PaaS provider. PaaS is where a company has access, through the internet, to the hardware and software tools needed for application development. It allows users do not have to purchase and maintain the in-house hardware and software to develop or run a new application.
PaaS products provide computing and storage infrastructure as well as other services that help developers create new software more quickly and efficiently. Utilizing Azure for the PaaS capabilities allows companies with development teams to collaborate and work together, regardless of where the developers are physically located.
Multi-layered Security with Microsoft Azure
Microsoft has in place a multi-layered security solution that is implemented across all its Azure datacenters. Azure includes built-in controls and services that solve identity and control access issues. They have a Key Vault that can encrypt authentication keys, storage account keys, data encryption keys, .pfx files, and passwords by using keys that are protected by hardware security modules.
Pay-As-You-Go Pricing Model
One particular attraction of the Azure product is the pay-as-you-go pricing. This means a company only needs to pay for the necessary infrastructure and computing power it needs. Your company’s Azure cloud is extremely flexible and can be set up so that you are only paying for the use of computing power during business hours if that works for your company’s business model.
Companies expecting growth or contraction of business can operate in a way that provides the maximum flexibility. Azure is one of the multiple business solutions that mpsWORKS offers to businesses in the Tampa Bay area. Reach out for a consultation to see if Azure or one of the other managed IT solutions is right for your business.
See if Microsoft Azure is Right for Your Business
mpsWORKS is a leading provider of IT and print services. We focus on small and medium-sized businesses in the Greater Tampa Bay area. We provide managed IT services on a flat monthly rate that allows businesses to better budget their monthly IT expenditure. Our company provides 24/7 IT support that keeps our clients’ networks running smoothly. For more information contact Robert Bohacek at 813-693-2989.