What is Microsoft Azure Cloud Services?

TORONTO - Dec. 8, 2014 - PRLog -- I am sure you have heard of Microsoft Azure (https://computersource.sharepoint.com/Shared%20Documents/Sales/BLOG/azure.microsoft.com/) before.  It is mentioned in the media and by IT consultants worldwide plus it is the future of cloud services.  But what is Microsoft Azure?  How does Azure help your business?

Many Managed IT Services (http://365itsolutions.com/managed-it-services-toronto/) providers are preparing their client networks for a complete cloud solution.  Microsoft is committed to the cloud and so should your business.  Microsoft is already creating hybrid cloud services models and allowing certain products to work with the cloud.  This extends the amount of support and proactive IT Support Services (http://365itsolutions.com/help-desk-support-services-toronto/) most companies require however it does streamline your business IT Tech Support Services requirements.

Cloud Services (http://365itsolutions.com/cloud-services-toronto/) is allowing companies to distance themselves from the traditional model of deploying onsite hardware to shrinking your IT infrastructure footprint and use the cloud.  The cloud is available in many flavours and it can be a private cloud or a datacenter.  Many cloud services providers offer Software as a Service (SaaS) such as Office 365 however if you want to build or host applications in the cloud, you will want a service like Azure in your IT infrastructure.

What different versions of Microsoft Azure are available?

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

Companies can use Azure as a platform for building and deploying custom applications.  Microsoft Azure provides a wide range of tools that can be used to develop these custom applications.  Then developers can use virtual machines to execute the rules of the application on a Windows Server.  The development and hosting tools are purchased through a subscription.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

Azure gives companies the ability to create Virtual Machines (VMs) by specifying the size and the Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) you require.  The VHD is the virtual version of a hard drive on a conventional computer; it’s the storage unit on which all the files and applications are saved.  Good news is that Microsoft Azure provides access to Windows and Linux VHDs and as with the rest of Azure, you only pay for the time the VM is running.

A big advantage of VMs is that developers can build and test applications quickly and at a low cost.  Businesses also use VMs to augment onsite datacenters to boost the power of applications like SharePoint.  To create virtual servers on physical servers, IT consultants use software to set up divisions between each virtual machine (VM) and allow them to operate independently.

IT support services professional know that this adds a layer of protection between your information and the physical infrastructure.  This will give your tech support service more flexibility in how they manage and protect your IT infrastructure.

Mobile Back-end as a Service (mBaaS)

Microsoft Azure Mobile Services gives companies the tools to create and deploy applications quickly especially apps for mobile devices.  The information gets accessed by the app on your device stored in what’s called a back-end database.  Microsoft Azure allows you to build apps for Android, iOS, HTML/ JavaScript and Windows Phone.

Microsoft Azure offers many options for businesses to take advantage of cloud services however there are many factors to evaluate.  Cloud services is a big step for companies however if planned properly, your company will experience reduced downtime, increased security and more productivity. Take advantage of our Complimentary Network and Security Assessment (http://offers.365itsolutions.com/) by 365itSolutions.com and we will develop a custom assessment of your current network and future direction.