Microsoft Azure












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Microsoft
Azure

by Brady Hicks

Docid: 00021970

Publication Date: 2206

Report Type: PRODUCT

Preview

Microsoft Azure – formerly Windows Azure – is an enterprise-grade,
cloud-based computing platform that offers a scalable environment for
building and hosting Web applications utilizing Microsoft data centers.
Featuring more than 200 services across 21 service categories, Azure
offers solutions in cutting-edge technologies like artificial
intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and mixed reality. Azure’s
primary competitor is Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Report Contents:

Description

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Microsoft Azure – formerly Windows Azure – is an enterprise-grade,
cloud-based computing platform that offers a scalable environment for
building and hosting Web applications utilizing Microsoft data centers.

 


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Customers can choose the manner in which Azure is deployed, cloud-based
or on-premises, with “consistent hybrid cloud capabilities” and
open-source technology.


Vendor
Name: Microsoft
Corporation
Headquarters
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-7329 USA
Tel: (425) 882-8080; Fax: (425) 706-7329
Web: http://www.microsoft.com/
Type of Vendor: Computer Software and Services
Provider
Founded: 1975 (As Microsoft Corporation)
Service Areas: Worldwide
Stock Symbol: Nasdaq “MSFT”

At an elemental level, Azure offers access to on-demand services that are
hosted within Microsoft’s data centers. Users can build applications using
virtually any language, tool, or framework, and can integrate public
cloud-based applications within an existing IT environment.

Over the years, Microsoft has devoted considerable resources to expanding
and enhancing Azure into an all-purpose platform, which currently
encompasses more than 200 services across 21 service categories, as listed
in Table 1.

Table 1. Azure Service Categories
AI + Machine Learning Hybrid + Multi-Cloud Mixed Reality
Analytics Identity Mobile
Compute Integration Networking
Containers Internet of Things Security
Databases Management and Governance Storage
Developer Tools Media Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
DevOps Migration Web

Azure first became commercially available in 2010, and over the past
decade-plus has expanded to include cutting-edge technologies like
artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and mixed reality.

In the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning, for
example, Azure offers an impressively diverse set of in-demand and
on-demand capabilities, including:

  • Azure Applied AI Services – Services that enable organizations to
    accelerate the application of AI to solve common problems.
  • Azure Cognitive Services – Services that add cognitive capabilities to
    applications through APIs and AI services.
  • Azure Machine Learning – A service to build, train, and deploy ML
    models from the cloud to the edge.

Whether a customer chooses to host their applications entirely in Azure
or extend their on-premises applications with Azure services, Azure helps
create applications that are scalable, reliable, and maintainable.

Azure vs. AWS

Microsoft acknowledges that Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS), Azure’s
principal competitor, “each offer a broad and deep set of capabilities
with global coverage.1 Both AWS and Azure allow [customers] to
build highly available solutions based on Windows or Linux hosts.”2

Microsoft also acknowledges that “many organizations choose to use both
platforms together for greater choice and flexibility, as well as to
spread their risk and dependencies with a multi-cloud approach.”3

Prospective Azure/AWS customers should evaluate both solutions before
making a final product selection. They should also prepare to operate in a dual Azure/AWS environment,
especially in situations where software procurement is decentralized or
subject to multiple authorities. One branch office, for example, may favor
Azure, while another embraces AWS.

Applications

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As highlighted by Microsoft, Azure is designed to satisfy a variety of
use cases:

  • Application development – Customers can build, deliver, and
    manage cloud apps using any platform or language.
  • Artificial intelligence – Customers can analyze images,
    comprehend speech, and make predictions using accumulated data.
  • Cloud migration and modernization – Customers can simplify and
    accelerate cloud migration and modernization projects through special
    guidance, tools, and resources.
  • Data and analytics – Customers can gather, store, process,
    analyze, and visualize data of any variety, volume, or velocity.
  • Hybrid cloud and infrastructure – Customers can bring cloud
    capabilities and innovations to their on-premises workloads.
  • Internet of Things – Customers can connect, monitor, and
    control devices with secure, scalable, and open edge-to-cloud solutions.
  • Security and governance – Customers can help protect data,
    apps, and infrastructure by employing trusted security services.

Environment

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Microsoft Azure supports the most prominent programming languages in use
today, including:

  • Python
  • JavaScript
  • Java
  • .NET
  • Go

Boasting a comprehensive software development kit (SDK) library and
extensive connections with tools such as VS Code, Visual Studio, IntelliJ,
and Eclipse, Azure is designed to extend programmers’ existing software
development lifecycle (SDLC) resources.

Support

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Microsoft Azure offers four paid-support options as shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Azure Support Options and Features
Basic (Included) Developer Standard Professional Direct
Monthly Cost Free $29 $100 $1,000
Best for: Billing and subscription
support; online self help
Trial and non-production
environments
Production workload
environments
Business-critical
dependence
Case Severity (Sev) and Response Time Not available Minimal business impact
(Sev C):
Within eight business hours
Minimal business impact
(Sev C):
Within eight business hours

Moderate business impact (Sev B):
Within four hours

Critical business impact (Sev A):
Within one hour

Minimal business impact
(Sev C):
Within four business hours

Moderate business impact (Sev B):
Within two hours

Critical business impact (Sev A):
Within one hour

Pricing

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Microsoft Azure pricing is “pay as you go,” with the exception of certain
select free services.

Azure product pricing is available on the Azure pricing page or through
individual product pages.

To help estimate costs, a “pricing calculator” is provided.

Competitors

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Microsoft Azure has several major competitors, including:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Google Cloud Platform
  • IBM Cloud
  • Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (Gen 2)

Of these alternatives, AWS is the most potent rival.

According to ProjectPro, “Both AWS and Azure are solid cloud providers
performing with equivalence in almost 99% of the use cases. The decision
between Azure and AWS seems more like a business decision that is based on
the organization’s needs. For instance, if a company requires a powerful
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) provider or Windows integration, Azure would
be the best option. If an enterprise is looking for
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) or a diverse set of tools, then AWS
might be the best solution.”4

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References

1 “AWS to Azure Services Comparison.” Microsoft. March 10,
2022.

2 “Azure for AWS Professionals.” Microsoft. March 10, 2022.

3 “AWS to Azure Services Comparison.” Microsoft. March 10,
2022.

4 “AWS vs. Azure – Who Is the Big Winner in the Cloud War?” Iconiq Inc. June 6, 2022.

About the Author

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Brady Hicks is an editor with Faulkner Information
Services. He writes about computer and networking hardware, software,
communications networks and equipment, and the Internet.

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