Why choose Azure?

David Mphephu, Azure expert at Axiz

“Datacentres are an integral aspect of cloud computing, and organisations need to work with the right type of partner to help them choose the hyperscale provider that will keep them agile and resilient. Remember that not all datacentres are created equal,” he adds. “Many providers simply do not have the ability to tailor a solution to fit an organisation’s unique hyperscale requirements.”

“At Axiz, we trust Microsoft Azure, in fact around the world a whopping 90% of Fortune 500 companies are using Azure as their provider of choice,” Mphephu continues.

Using deeply-integrated Azure cloud services enables enterprises to quickly build, deploy, and manage capabilities of all types, with simplicity. It also supports a slew of programming languages, as well as databases, frameworks, operating systems, and devices, enabling corporates to leverage all the solutions and tools that they need.

Firstly, the inclusion of SaaS (software-as-a-service ) as an offering on Azure, for example, Microsoft Office 365, SAP and SharePoint, he says. “Add to this Azure’s compelling combination of infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) and platform-as-a-service capabilities (PaaS). The former enables organisations to outsource their infrastructure on Azure and only pay for what they need, and the latter allows them to create their own solutions and Web applications, without the need for large capital outlays.”

Security and compliance offerings

Mphephu says that Azure is also the most secure hyperscale provider. Security is at its very core, ensuring data and services stay safe and protected, as it was designed on Security Development Lifecycle (SDL), an industry-leading security process. Moreover, its compliance coverage is unparalleled, with over 70 compliance offerings, and it was the first provider to adopt ISO 27018, the highest standard for cloud privacy.

Hybrid capabilities

Next, there is Azure’s hybrid capabilities, which offer unrivalled security, he explains. “Azure enables a combination of a public cloud and a private cloud by allowing data and applications to be shared securely within a hybrid cloud.

In addition, Azure facilitates a wide range of hybrid connections, including virtual private networks, caches, content delivery networks, and ExpressRoute connections to boost both performance and usability. Also, the way Azure provides full mobility as well as a reliable platform between on- and off-premise clouds is peerless.”

Hyperscale provider availability

Azure also has the highest hyperscale provider availability coverage spanning 54 regions and 140 countries. In terms of scalability and flexibility, Azure can run capabilities with ease, and without the need for any extra coding or intervention. Its storage is flexible, safe and performance efficient, says Mphephu.

Pay-as-you-go

But perhaps the most compelling benefit, according to him, is its cost efficiency. “Azure offers a consumption model (pay-as-you-go) which facilitates the use of OpEx (operating expenditure) rather than CapEx (capital expenditure). In this way, users only pay for what they use, when developing or extending resources that use Azure services. This saves a fortune, trimming IT administration costs to the bone.”