Microsoft Azure is a public cloud computing platform that contains hundreds of products and services to build, run, and manage applications. The Azure platform also offers other services that support app-development processes, including:

  • Analytics
  • Virtual computing
  • Storage
  • Networking
  • Backup recovery

With Microsoft Azure, software developers can pick and choose which services they would like to use to help manage their development challenges. This virtual toolkit then allows developers to build/scale new applications or to update/run existing ones.

But why use Azure? Why should you choose Azure over the myriad of other computing platforms on the market today? To answer this question, let’s look at some benefits.

7 Benefits of Azure

Let’s look at seven specific benefits of Azure your developers can enjoy when using the platform.

1. Optimal Cybersecurity

Azure uses world-class cybersecurity processes to protect sensitive information about your company and your customers. 

For starters, Microsoft-managed networks are isolated in Azure to ensure all traffic navigating through the platform is secure. Meanwhile, customer networks are segregated from the Microsoft-managed networks you use to manage your system. The separation allows the two systems to stay secure from one another—your customer’s network won’t be affected by attacks targeted toward management networks. 

Additionally, both the hardware and firmware of Azure include security controls, ensuring end-to-end security. Microsoft also employs thousands of cybersecurity experts who monitor and test Azure’s security at all hours of the day.

2. Future-Proof Scalability

As your business grows, your software solutions should grow with it. Fortunately, Azure offers a simple way to do that. The platform’s public cloud framework allows your business to increase computing power and storage capacity on demand. This is a great way to accommodate both short-term usage bursts and long-term expansion.

3. Reasonable Learning Curve

Azure’s development tools allow developers to use any coding language to deliver cloud applications. That means your developers can use the languages they are most comfortable with to debug, deploy, and manage your applications—no need to train on new languages or hire developers who specialize in Azure.

4. No Need for On-Site Hardware

Before cloud computing, developers needed to host on-premise data storage to effectively develop new applications. But since Azure uses cloud computing, it doesn’t require on-site hardware. That means lower start-up costs and less money that needs to be spent on IT support.

5. Adaptive Compliance Controls

Microsoft Azure offers a simple and convenient way to streamline your compliance. Currently, the platform offers over 90 compliance certifications, 50 of which are specific to regions and countries across the globe.

Azure’s compliance certifications cover more than 35 industry-specific requirements, including:

  • Health
  • Government
  • Education
  • Manufacturing
  • Finance
  • Media

Azure also implements third-party audit reports to ensure your software maintains compliance.

6. Pay-as-You-Go Subscription Model

Another reason why you should migrate to Azure is its competitive and convenient payment system. Azure’s innovative pay-as-you-go subscription model offers a great money-saving practice that ensures you’re spending wisely. 

Every month, Azure only charges you for the services you used—nothing more. This way, you can easily grow and shrink your business as needed without the burden of a commanding subscription charge.

There are also ways to decrease the cost of hosting on Azure. Altogether, companies of virtually any value can reap the rewards of Azure.

7. Retrievable Data After Loss

Azure is incredibly resilient when it comes to data loss, thanks to cloud computing. You can define the frequency at which the platform will save and back up your data. You can create this backup in nearly any coding language you need it in. And with an experienced partner, you’ll have a much easier time implementing cost-effective backup solutions.

Azure vs. AWS: Which Is Better?

In many ways, the services offered by Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) are similar—cloud platforms that offer storage, security, computing, and compliance capabilities. But here are a few reasons why Azure comes out on top.

  • Azure is more cost-effective. Microsoft Azure costs five times less than AWS. Plus, you can take advantage of the Azure Hybrid Benefit to pay a reduced compute rate.
  • Azure offers seamless global operations. AWS puts up certain roadblocks that make it difficult to transfer data between regional offices. Meanwhile, Azure makes it easy to transfer data to any location—no matter where your teams are.
  • Azure lets you build on your terms. Azure is committed to open source, supporting all programming languages and frameworks. You build what you want, how you want.

How Long Does It Take to Migrate to Azure?

Ready to make the switch to Microsoft Azure? We can help. Emergent Software’s cloud migrations service can migrate your servers in as little as three months (which is fast considering the amount of servers and complexity involved in each project).

Implement Microsoft Azure Today

If you or your software developers are interested in using Microsoft Azure as their development platform, we encourage you to consider what Emergent Software can offer. Aside from our migration services, we also offer processes that are geared toward making your experience with Azure a streamlined and enjoyable one.

Learn more about what Emergent Software can do for your Azure-focused platform.