Benefits of An Azure Migration
- by Tech Today
- Posted on April 10, 2023
In the post-pandemic world of business remote access, as well as hybrid work solutions have become the standard. Companies that are still using older Windows servers should be considering an Azure migration. Azure will provide significant savings in costs, making it easier to implement remote working. There are numerous benefits to shifting all your information to Azure.
Microsoft Azure is by far the most popular cloud platform that is growing rapidly. Azure includes more than 200 different products that enable your company to operate efficiently and become fully-equipped.
Why should your business move its data into the cloud? What are the advantages that come with Azure cloud service? Azure cloud services? To answer these urgent questions, we’ll look at the main benefits of switching to Azure and finally, the reasons your company can’t afford to be in a world without Microsoft Azure.
Benefits of Changing to Azure
Benefit 1: Moving Azure Azure will save you money.
The expense of maintaining Windows server hardware can take a bite out of your budget for IT. Moving to cloud-based services will mean that you only pay to use the equipment you utilize and pay-as you-go.
The primary savings are by not having to maintain or update server components. Also, it reduces the cost of hiring IT staff to maintain local servers. A study conducted by Acronis discovered that companies could save as much as 82% of their server expenses by switching to Azure.
Azure is also less expensive in comparison to other providers of cloud services. Microsoft states it is Azure can be five times more affordable than AWS by using Azure Hybrid Benefit, which lets you combine with your Windows Server and SQL Server applications.
Benefit 2: Azure Improves Security
Utilizing local servers and other cloud providers could be risky when it comes to protecting your data and applications from cyber attacks. Azure seeks to bring together security management and provide an enhanced level of protection against cyber threats with Microsoft’s Azure Security Centre.
The suite lets businesses safeguard their cloud infrastructure through Azure Defender and to evaluate their security status using Azure Secure Score. It also allows you to use AI or automation, to rapidly detect security risks that are of particular importance.
Azure provides built-in DDOS security, as well as Azure Information Protection to control and monitor external data transfer. With Azure’s security tools that are easy to use the IT department will be able to respond quickly to any threat and apply comprehensive security strategies.
Benefit 3. Dynamic Scalability
Since cloud services don’t have to be limited by the hardware you use It’s much easier to expand your cloud resources to accommodate your current demands.
If you’ve experienced an unexpected influx of customers, you’re not restricted by your current infrastructure. The Azure cloud services are able to scale dynamically to meet your needs at the moment. When the times are quieter you can decrease your resources in order to cut operating expenses.
Microsoft provides Azure Autoscale for this very reason. Autoscale lets you modify your applications and services with a pre-defined measure and predict load using various times.
It doesn’t just stop your site, service or application from shutting down as business demand increases and increases, but it can also reduce the size of your application as demand decreases.
Benefit 4: Azure Disaster Recovery
Using cloud services like Azure brings data redundancy. If you have a local server, any disaster that occurs at your location could cause complete loss of data. When your data is handled in the cloud, it is location-independent. So, in the event that there is a fire or earthquake, your processes are not affected, as your information will be safe.
Azure provides complete, end-to-end storage and backup services for companies that wish to protect their data. Microsoft states that Azure’s disaster restoration time of 66% faster than servers on premises.
Beneficial 5: Remote Work Capabilities
Utilizing a cloud-based solution for your data and services guarantees that each process and task can be accomplished via remote. The Azure VPN Gateway service facilitates secure connections for personnel to gain access to your organisation’s resources from anywhere.
With Azure’s potential for scaling switching to Azure could make it more simple to hire new employees. This is due to:
a. Employees don’t need to be enrolled into an office space, and could work at their homes.
b. Beginning users wouldn’t require new computers since the VPN gateway will allow remote access and this would be simple.
C. The more resources required to support your starter’s needs can be increased using Azure AutoScale.
Azure’s Point to-Site (P2S) VPN gateways are perfect for remote-work. Azure Active Directory can provide an SSO that is secure for home-based employees.
Benefit 6: Reduces IT Staff Workload
In the wake of the pandemic we’ve seen a huge stress on IT department and staff. Switching to an efficient cloud platform such as Azure can significantly reduce the workload for IT personnel who are struggling.
Azure provides the tools needed to manage and expand network resources more effectively. IT departments can access customized support teams through Microsoft via Microsoft Enterprise Support.
For businesses with critical workloads Microsoft provides priority assistance through the Professional Direct (ProDirect) plan. This plan comes with first response times that can be up to an hour and an escalation to higher-level teams to address complex issues.
Servers on premises require regular maintenance and updates. Problem solving can consume many hours, or even days of an IT worker’s time. The result is that your company will be down for longer, making IT departments are even more stressed.
Benefit 7: Compatibility with older software
Many companies are concerned about cloud services having compatibility issues with older software. But, as we approach the end of the support period for SQL Server 2008/R2 in 2019, Azure virtual machines may be the only option to remain secure when using older applications.
Microsoft provided an additional 3 years of support to SQL Server 2008 with Azure providing developers with time to migrate or update their old applications. With the date approaching to extend support for Windows Server 2012, Azure VM might be the next option for security updates after 2023.
Benefit 8: Save data on-site as well as in the Cloud at the same time
If you are unsure about making the switch to fully cloud-based service, Azure offers the tools to offer a hybrid solution.
Utilizing Azure’s Backup, Migrate, and Site Recovery utilities, businesses are able to easily transfer their data with the cloud. This lets you keep the hardware on your premises while gaining benefits of remote access as well as redundancy in location advantages of Azure.
In the post-pandemic world of business remote access, as well as hybrid work solutions have become the standard. Companies that are still using older Windows servers should be considering an Azure migration. Azure will provide significant savings in costs, making it easier to implement remote working. There are numerous benefits to shifting all your information…