At its core, Azure is a public cloud-computing platform. It has more than 200 products and cloud services designed to help the user bring new solutions to life. It can be used for services such as storage, analytics, networking and more. It aims to solve today’s challenges by providing the tools needed to build, run and manage applications across multiple clouds.

Microsoft Azure Strengths

Azures main benefits are:

• Flexibility
• Supports almost any OS
• 24×7 tech support

Microsoft Azure is a reliable, flexible and affordable platform, with capabilities that make it one of the best public cloud programs on the market. Here is a shortlist of 5 things you can achieve with Azure.:

1. Enhance and Implement Backup and Disaster Recovery

2. Host and Develop Web and Mobile Apps

3. Distribute and Supplement Active Directory

4. Extend your On-Premise infrastructure into the cloud and scale as required

5. Build your Entire infrastructure in the cloud (Fully Cloud)

How We Use Azure to Help Our Clients

These five examples are just a glimpse of what Azure can do for your business. Our Azure expert Michael who has obtained the Azure Security Engineer Associate certificate and the Azure Administrator Associate certificate is here to advise our clients and find the best Azure solution for their business goals and needs. 

Hosted Desktops and Servers

Hosted Desktops or Servers provide users with a virtual machine running in Azure in the Operating System that they require. These include Windows 10, Windows Server or a Linux distribution system. Users will be able to access information and tools they need on any device easily and securely.

Hosted Desktops or Servers allow you to take your office anywhere, you’re no longer tied to a physical location as long as you have internet connection you’re good to go. In light of recent events with COVID-19, remote working is a necessity for most and Azure makes that not only possible but also easy.

From a user perspective, there is no real difference between the traditional local desktop and one hosted virtually in Azure. However, you need to be mindful that this data is stored in a Microsoft Datacentre and accessed via the Azure environment over the internet.

Hosted Desktops and Servers are suitable for all business from small to large, if you have any questions or require support then don’t hesitate to reach out to the Technical Team here at Rank Your Domain. 

Hybrid Cloud

Microsoft Azure allows you to extend your on-premise infrastructure to the cloud.

Although Microsoft Azure’s main value lies in supporting adaptive and fast-moving digital transformation. Extending your on-premise Infrastructure into a hybrid cloud gives you agility and drives cost savings. The need to adapt and change direction at a moment’s notice is a fundamental principle of a modern business; COVID-19 is one such example. Your business may seek to combine cloud and on-premises infrastructure in order to reduce costs or deliver the agility required for a competitive advantage.

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is a powerful remote access solution optimised for delivering Office 365 applications and much more, using the only true multi-session Windows 10 experience. Microsoft has developed a platform that provides users with the ability to access a true multi-session Windows 10 and Office 365 virtual desktop and app experience which can be accessed from any device. This is a true replacement for costly and complex on-premise Remote Desktop Servers.

Using WVD has the following benefits: 

• It is less complex than deploying a traditional Remote Desktop Server.
• Microsoft manages the underlying hardware and load balancing, reducing your overhead and saving time.
• Support remote working in a fast-changing business environment
• Reduce or eliminate on-premise infrastructure
• Reduce overheads and deliver more flexible remote working
• Respond quickly to break/fix events
• Enable much more secure remote working
• Deliver a premium virtual desktop user experience
• Ensure staff have a consistent working experience -regardless of location or how they access resources

Disaster recovery

As a backup and disaster, recovery tool Azure surpasses other cloud computing platforms as it offers rapid recovery and built-in integration. The quick response time ensures your downtime is minimised as much as possible.

It can backup data in almost any language, on any OS and in any location. This combined with the choice of the extent of your backup schedule being of your desired duration makes it truly flexible.  

If you’re ready to try out one or more of these services, then get in contact now. We’ll help migrate your existing infrastructure to the Microsoft Azure cloud and provide you with ongoing support to maximise its potential.