What is Azure and why is it used?

Introduction

Microsoft Azure is essentially a huge collection of physical servers distributed across their Datacenters globally. These servers are able to replicate a clients physical infrastructure and make it virtual allowing for the same features and functionality to happen but over the internet and without the need for physical equipment to maintained and upgraded to ensure it remains functional and able to cope. 

So why might you use Azure?

There are many different use cases for Azure, here are four our clients have based their decision to migrate to the Azure platform on -

Storage

Azure can act as a central data repository for all or some of your applications. 

Network Services

Virtual Networks, VPN, DNS and network monitoring

Analytics

Real time analytics of your chosen data sets that provides key insights and trends 

Pay as you go option

Allows business to pay for only what they use. To see this in action, see how Cool Code Company was able to save Independent Locker Solutions over £30,000 per annum by switching their hosting from AWS to Azure.

These are only a small sub section of reasons you might choose to utilise the Microsoft Azure platform and as with most things in the world of Software Development, it depends entirely on your current circumstances and what you want to achieve.