Most technology experts define Microsoft Azure as an open-source Windows Server-based cloud computing platform. But Azure is actually much more than that. Over the years Microsoft has been improving all of its business solutions; Azure is no exception.
What’s more, Azure provides a comprehensive suite of integrated services, ranging from websites, virtual machines, cloud, and data management to business analytics, identity, messaging, media, and mobile services. This minimizes the need for an upfront investment, which is an essential aspect, especially for small and mid-sized businesses.
Capitalizing on the Benefits of Windows Azure
There are many reasons why a business should choose Azure over other cloud development platforms. In this post, we’ll look at the most important benefits Windows Azure brings.
- Increased Performance and Productivity: Azure empowers users to run Windows apps anywhere, on any Windows, iOS, Mac OSX, or Android device. In addition, apps can be deployed to the Windows Azure platform easily and quickly, which means that changes can be applied in real- time without any downtime. Azure also facilitates database replication, which translates into better scalability, improved performance, and superior overall service.
- Increased Scalability: Performing consistently regardless of the amount of information stored, Azure delivers a cost-effective business solution that supports massive scale-out and built-in availability, allowing you to ramp up and down in-house resources as needed to support your business operations. Equipped with SQL functions, Azure can also help your organization respond efficiently to fluctuations in demand.
- Superior Compatibility with Existing Solutions: Azure allows you to use a variety of computing solutions in a truly agile way. For instance, you can integrate Azure cloud services with existing IT infrastructure, irrespective of the storage solutions, databases, apps, connections, ERP solutions, and encryption features currently being used.
- Improved Security: Azure RemoteApp provides an intelligent delivery solution, which centralizes applications and business information on the same Microsoft cloud computing platform used by different organizations, financial companies, and governments.
- Increased Storage Capacity: Azure keeps data storage simple through Binary Large Objects (BLOBs), which delivers one of the most effective ways to store texts, images, video, and audio files. Since Azure is able to handle any workload, it has become the preferred cloud computing solution for 57% of Fortune 500 companies.
- Better Websites and Applications: In a mobile-first, cloud-first world, the ability to build and deploy powerful websites and apps compatible with any device is a key prerequisite for securing a stronger position in the industry. With Microsoft Azure, you can: use your favorite programming language and framework to build apps; automate workflows to accelerate developments; back up and restore apps automatically; scale apps up and down on demand; and enhance apps and features without worrying about the infrastructure.
- Geo-Replication Capability: The Active Geo-Replication feature enabled by default in the Azure cloud ensures the highest level of storage durability available today. The feature automatically replicates business data from the primary server, sending up to four copies to secondary servers in different locations to prevent data loss due to power failures, system crashes, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks.
Considering all these points, it’s no wonder that Gartner positioned Microsoft as an IaaS, AaaS, and cloud storage service leader in its Magic Quadrants for the second consecutive year.
To find out more about Microsoft Azure and how you can use it to your company’s advantage with ERP solutions, contact our demo team located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex at 800-331-8382, or email sales@cfbs-us.com.