Reasons to Host Your Servers in Microsoft Azure

Microsoft Azure has quickly become one of the most popular cloud-computing platforms on the web. With IaaS and PaaS service and support for various languages, tools and frameworks, you can easily build, manage and deploy applications through secure Microsoft data centers. To address any security and privacy concerns, Microsoft created the Microsoft Trust Center, which means:

• The tightest security and privacy features possible were embedded into Azure during development.
• The system is completely transparent, so you know how your data is accessed, stored and kept secure.
• Azure conforms to all global security and compliance standards.

Save IT Resources With Azure

If you operate a business that requires the use of a large IT department, Microsoft Azure is the answer. Large corporations spend millions of dollars building the infrastructure needed to host in-house servers for databases, websites and other applications. This means large teams of IT professionals are needed to manage and maintain the daily operations of the servers. However, small businesses and start-ups could benefit from Azure even more because they usually can’t afford to build these servers or hire the necessary staff to manage such a system.

Microsoft Azure eliminates the need to host your own data center and the costs associated with such an undertaking. The bandwidth needed for an in-house server alone could cost hundreds of dollars a month, and then you could still be limited by the amount of bandwidth you can use. By locating your data to a cloud server, you share the bandwidth, bringing the cost down dramatically. The amount of bandwidth you can use might still be limited by the plan you purchase, but the cost will be much less and space will be much greater than if you used your own servers.

Azure vs. In-House Servers

The biggest advantage of Azure is the cost-to-bandwidth ratio. Even the smallest business-grade DSL connection can cost hundred dollars. For less money, a cloud server offers a higher connection speed and improved redundancy, which is very helpful for business continuity planning. For a T1 line, the savings are even greater.

Azure’s technical support services are included in the fee and are vastly superior to any in-house support most companies can afford. You also have better protection against common problems such as power outages, downtimes, changes in temperatures and security breaches. Plus, you never have to worry about backing up your data. Everything you store in the cloud is automatically backed up on another secure server within the Microsoft network.

One of the biggest disadvantages of in-office hosting is moving to a new facility or expanding your current operation. Rebuilding or restructuring your entire data system and infrastructure takes a lot of time and money. With Azure, your server keeps right on running smoothly. You don’t have to worry about your database, website or any applications dropping offline just because someone forgot to plug something in or tripped over a cable while moving furniture.

Upgrading is also much easier when you use a cloud-hosting service. Microsoft Azure always uses state-of-the-art technology. The system is updated regularly to ensure that only the best equipment and software are used. This is done without any increase in the monthly cost of your contract.

With in-office servers, you have to cover the costs of upgrades yourself. New equipment alone could run you several thousands of dollars, not to mention the cost of programming and installation. In addition, all your data now has to be transferred to the new system, which means additional expenses and plenty of downtime. Considering the number of customers or sales you could lose during this downtime, Azure is well worth the investment.

Additional Benefits of Microsoft Azure

Azure offers a one-month free trial so you can see if the system is right for your business. Or you can opt for the pay-as-you-go service, which allows you to easily scale up or down according to your needs. With by-the-minute billing and a commitment to match the prices of competitors for popular services such as storage, computing and bandwidth, you are guaranteed to get unbeatable prices for exceptional performance.

Many organizations still don’t feel comfortable using the cloud, and that is why Microsoft developed Azure. It is an industry-leading platform that comes with a commitment to providing the best protection and privacy available.

Microsoft is the first cloud service provider to be recognized by the data protection authorities of the European Union for its commitment to the most rigorous privacy laws. It is also the first major cloud service provider to implement the amended international standard, ISO 27018, for cloud privacy and security. Additionally, Microsoft launched Azure Government, a stand-alone version of Azure dedicated to meet and exceed the strict compliance requirements of U.S. public agencies.

Azure is quite easy to implement and use, but, even for experienced IT professionals, some training may be required. By using a partner, like Agile IT, implementation can be much faster and easier. You can get the system up and running right the first time, with no risk of data loss or business disruption. Still unsure whether Microsoft Azure is the right option for your business? Learn more about our Microsoft Azure migration services, or reach out to us today.