Microsoft Azure: What It Is, What It Does, and How It Compares to AWS
Since 2017, Microsoft Azure has topped the charts as one of the most popular cloud service providers, owning a staggering 25% of the market share. More and more businesses are using cloud solutions like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) to access and manage their computing resources over the internet, allowing them to scale and adapt without the heavy investment in physical IT infrastructure. It’s these benefits driving the $300-billion revenue run rate for cloud spending, with predictions that the market will only continue to compound in growth. But what exactly is Microsoft Azure, and how could it benefit your business?
In this post, we'll dive into what Microsoft Azure is, explore its diverse applications, and see how it compares with its main competitor, Amazon Web Services.
We’ll cover:
What is Microsoft Azure?
What is Microsoft Azure used for?
Microsoft Azure Services
A comparison of Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure
What is Microsoft Azure?
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform and service. It provides a comprehensive range of cloud services, including computing, analytics, storage, and networking. Users can pick and choose from these services to develop and scale new applications, or run existing applications in the cloud.
Azure serves as both a platform for deploying online applications and an infrastructure for global computing needs. Its extensive suite of tools and services makes it invaluable for businesses looking to embrace cloud computing—whether you work for a startup or a global enterprise. Azure also plays a pivotal role in Microsoft's business strategy, positioning the company as a leader in both enterprise IT solutions and open-source development platforms.
Azure supports a wide range of programming languages, frameworks, and third-party software, marking its evolution from a closed ecosystem to one that is widely open-source and standards-compliant.
Microsoft Azure’s global infrastructure
Azure's global infrastructure is one of its most impressive features. It operates in over 60 regions worldwide with 300+ data centres, more than any other cloud provider, ensuring data redundancy and high availability for your hosted services. This global reach not only helps Azure minimize data lag but also provides reliable disaster recovery capabilities. Each Azure data centre is equipped with advanced security, helping safeguard your user data and comply with regulatory requirements across different regions.
This interconnected network of data centres showcases Azure’s reliability and provides a solid foundation for businesses deploying apps and services in the cloud.
What is Microsoft Azure used for?
Microsoft Azure’s versatility powers a wide range of business functions across virtually every industry. From streamlining operations to forwarding innovation, Azure's suite of services provides the necessary tools needed for organizations to transform their business processes and stay competitive. Here are just a few examples of how it can help you do that.
Azure use cases
Web Hosting: Azure's scalable infrastructure supports everything from small blogs to global e-commerce websites. It provides tools for web developers, such as Azure Web Apps, which allow for rapid development and deployment of web applications without managing infrastructure.
App Services: Azure supports a variety of application development scenarios including mobile back-end services, RESTful API services, and microservices for large, complex applications. The platform facilitates seamless DevOps integrations and real-time monitoring of applications.
Database Management: With services like Azure SQL Database and Cosmos DB, users can manage relational and NoSQL databases with ease. Azure ensures high availability, automatic scaling, and multi-regional distribution that are crucial for managing large-scale databases effectively.
Practical applications for Azure across industries
For businesses big and small, here are some examples of ways different industries might leverage Azure.
Healthcare: Azure facilitates secure and compliant solutions that enhance patient care by supporting telemedicine, electronic health records, and AI-powered diagnostic tools. For example, British Columbia’s Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) was able to improve their service levels by moving its entire data and analytics platform to Azure, granting personnel better access to information.
Finance: It empowers financial institutions with tools for risk analysis, fraud detection, and blockchain solutions that streamline operations and enhance security. The Bank of Montreal (BMO) recently migrated its market risk management platform to Azure—significantly improving risk analysis, increasing security on customers’ financial assets, and reducing overall cloud costs by 30%.
Retail: Azure can improve customer experiences through personalized shopping recommendations, supply chain optimizations, and direct retail services. Take the major fashion brand Chanel, who recently adopted an enterprise-wide data platform through Azure, and now leverages generative AI to elevate both the employee and shopper experience.
Manufacturing: By streamlining manufacturing processes through predictive maintenance, supply chain visibility, and IoT solutions, Azure helps manufacturers increase operational efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize production lines. For example, Siemens uses Azure to give customers full visibility into their product lifecycle—from planning, to manufacturing, purchasing and beyond.
Government: Azure offers government entities secure cloud environments that comply with strict regulatory standards, helping them modernize their infrastructure and improve civic services. Close to home, the Bank of Canada has transformed into a cloud-first organization by adopting Microsoft Azure and upskilling staff through Microsoft Learn, enhancing their central banking operations and preparing for a digital future.
Overall, Microsoft Azure provides an extensive platform that supports a wide range of applications and services—no matter your industry or business size. If you’re wondering how to implement Azure, deploying those solutions often requires assistance from a Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (more commonly known as a Microsoft CSP). These authorized Microsoft partners serve as intermediaries between Microsoft and your company, offering tailored solutions and value-added services alongside the core Microsoft products.
Overview of Microsoft Azure services
If your business is contemplating the transition to cloud computing, Microsoft Azure has a wide range of services that meet diverse needs. Here are some that may be relevant if you’re an IT professional looking for cloud solutions.
1) Azure Virtual Machines
Azure Virtual Machines provide on-demand computing resources, enabling businesses to run applications and manage data without investing in physical servers. This flexibility allows for the handling of various tasks, from running daily business applications to recovering data after emergencies.
2) Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a managed relational database service that automates many routine tasks such as scaling and performance tuning. It's designed to handle large volumes of data and complex database queries, making it easier for businesses to focus on using their data effectively rather than managing database operations.
3) Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is an identity management service that enhances security and simplifies access to systems both inside and outside the organization. It supports secure and straightforward access to applications, helping businesses protect sensitive information while enabling their employees to work more efficiently.
4) Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies the process of running applications in containers, which are isolated environments that can help make application deployment more reliable and scalable. AKS automates many of the complex tasks involved in managing containers, helping businesses deploy new applications faster and with less risk.
5) Azure ExpressRoute
Azure ExpressRoute creates a private connection between Azure data centres and a company’s on-site infrastructure. This service is important for businesses that need more secure and reliable connections for transferring sensitive data than what the public internet can provide.
6) Azure Security Center
Azure Security Center helps you manage your security across services hosted on Azure. It provides tools to monitor for threats and improve security setups continuously—essential for protecting your information against data breaches and cyber attacks.
7) Azure Site Recovery
Azure Site Recovery ensures that critical business applications continue running even during major IT outages. This service manages the automatic switching to backup systems to minimize downtime and keep your essential services online during unexpected disruptions.
Although this is a tailored list and there are many other services available in Azure, these core solutions can enhance your IT operations and help you strategically transition to a robust, secure, and efficient cloud environment.
Comparison: Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure
Amazon Web Services is the only cloud service provider that surpasses Microsoft Azure in market share—although Azure is continually growing in strength. Both platforms provide extensive infrastructure and services for cloud computing, storage, networking, database management, and more—but they differ in various aspects such as pricing models, ease of use, and specific service offerings.
Here’s a comparative overview of AWS and Azure across key dimensions:
| Feature | AWS | Azure |
|---|---|---|
| Offering | Extensive with more services in analytics and machine learning. | Broad, with strong integrations with Microsoft products. |
| Pricing | Pay-as-you-go, with pricing varying by service type. Discounts and savings plans available. | Pay-as-you-go, generally considered slightly more expensive but offers Azure Hybrid Benefit. |
| Market Share | Largest share of the cloud market, widely adopted across various industries. | Second largest, rapidly growing, particularly among enterprises using Windows systems. |
| Ease of Use | Comprehensive but can have a steeper learning curve due to its wide array of options. | Integrates well with existing Microsoft tools and environments, potentially easier for Windows-centric organizations. |
Strengths and weaknesses of AWS vs. Azure
Amazon Web Services (AWS):
Strengths: AWS offers a slightly more extensive collection of tools and services, especially in areas like machine learning and big data. It's highly flexible and scalable, making it suitable for startups and large enterprises alike.
Weaknesses: The sheer range of options and configurations in AWS can be overwhelming, especially for smaller teams without dedicated cloud expertise. Its dominance in the market may also lead to concerns about vendor lock-in.
Microsoft Azure:
Strengths: Azure provides excellent integration with Microsoft products such as Microsoft 365, Active Directory, and SQL Server, which makes it highly appealing for organizations that are heavily invested in Microsoft technologies. It also offers strong support for hybrid cloud environments, making it ideal for businesses that prefer to maintain some of their infrastructures on-premises.
Weaknesses: While Azure is catching up, it historically has had fewer features and services compared to AWS. Some users also report that Azure can be less intuitive when it comes to non-Microsoft workloads.
Suitability for your business needs
The choice between AWS and Azure often comes down to specific business needs and your existing infrastructure:
For businesses already reliant on Microsoft software and services, Azure will likely offer the smoothest integration and the most coherent experience.
Startups or businesses that prioritize flexibility and have a strong focus on innovative technologies might find AWS's extensive service catalogue and mature offerings more attractive.
Ultimately, the decision between Azure and AWS should consider long-term strategic goals, existing IT environments, and specific business requirements. Both platforms are continually evolving, with each bringing unique strengths to the table that can support a broad range of business functions.
Deploying Microsoft Azure
Deploying Microsoft Azure as your cloud platform can significantly transform your business operations—offering scalability, robust security, and a suite of tools tailored to enhance your productivity and innovation. Whether you are just starting your cloud journey or looking to optimize an existing deployment, the right guidance and support will guide you toward your full cloud potential.
For many businesses, especially those with specific regulatory, compliance, or technical complexities, the process of implementing Azure requires help from a Microsoft CSP like IX Solutions. CSPs bring expertise and experience in not only transitioning to the cloud but also in ensuring that your cloud infrastructure aligns perfectly with your business objectives and IT strategies.
From initial planning and design to implementation and ongoing management, we can help you get there. Our deep understanding of Azure solutions means we can tailor configurations to meet your specific needs, ensuring cost-efficiency and optimal performance. Additionally, working with us can provide:
Personalized Migration Strategies: Tailored approaches to migrate your applications, data, and infrastructure to Azure with minimal disruption.
Compliance and Security: Enhanced security protocols and compliance measures that meet industry standards.
Cost Management: Expertise in managing and optimizing spend in Azure, helping you make the most of your investment.
24/7 Support and Management: Continuous monitoring and support to address potential issues quickly and efficiently.
As you consider deploying Microsoft Azure, we’re here to ensure you have a partner every step of the way, accelerating your cloud adoption and helping you harness the full power of Azure. If you're ready to start, getting in touch is your next step.