Azure is one of the key Cloud providers that has helped with ensuring driving our digitalization. Adopting Azure has helped us scale, operate and manage large applications and platforms by leveraging compute, storage and other functionality provided by Azure
Pros
Storage of logs that can be accessed globally at will to derive insight that propel IT and Business decisions.
Compute power that is scalable and reliable
Secure Integration between platforms and applications
Cons
Free training could ensure higher adoptions to make it the market leader
Likelihood to Recommend
Move from on premise to Azure has been seamless and we have benefited owing to the ease to transition, cost, functionality and in built security features. The ability to manage and customize ensure that a world of opportunities is available to the end user.
We're using Microsft Azure services on multiple regions from our organization and for several types of workloads. It is our current Global standard for Cloud usage, following a global contract with Microsoft. In my region, we're using Computing services (running some Dev/PreProd environments on Azure). We also recently migrated Windows 2008 servers from legacy applications to Azure, in order to keep extended support. We're also using Storage Accounts both for Data archiving (through 3rd party Archiving tools) and Backup to Cloud.
As with many companies, it is addressing the 'elastic' demands, specially for Dev/PreProd environments... Many times we need to deploy temporary environments for some applications and we don't have enough time to purchase an expansion on our OnPrem environment. Cloud is a great escape for this situation. Also, It addresses the need of retaining Archived files and Backups for long term. We were able to bring great savings with Data Archiving solution in place today.
Pros
Elasticity - the ability to expand and reduce in a few clicks.
The huge variety of services it delivers (from VMs, to Containers, Storage, etc.)
Reliability - if it is properly built, it is highly available.
Cons
Complexity - due to its huge variety of services, it may be complex to implement and manage.
Latency (performance) - if you don't have good connectivity (MS Express Route recommended for medium/large companies) you can have latency between your on-prem and cloud environments, which makes it not so interesting for some use cases.
Likelihood to Recommend
For 'new-era' companies, relying most part on Web applications (like B2C) it may be a perfect solution. The ability to expand your environment both manually (with few clicks) or automatically (scheduled or triggered) during special dates, like BlackFriday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, etc. Use cases with more variety of applications, especially 'not-Web' applications (Engineering, licensing, Calculation/Analysis applications, etc) needs to be evaluated individually. It may fit for some applications, but not for others. For example, in our company, we have a lot of Calculation/Analysis systems, that have significant impacts if running through WAN (due to network latency), as they have millions of interactions between the Workstations and the App Server. In these cases, Cloud is not a good solution for us.
VU
Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology (Oil & Energy company, 10,001+ employees)
We are only just starting with our use of Azure. We started with some pilot initiatives and are looking at ways in which we can use it more extensively. Some of the pilots have been successful, others less so. Mobility seems to be a big driver, but also some of the difficult scenarios around product licensing are made better in the cloud.
Pros
The interface is simple and mostly intuitive.
Things are constantly updated and new functionality added quite often.
There is a lot of help available either online or through direct contact with Microsoft.
Cons
New features do not automatically replace old features. I see references to use the "old Azure portal" often in lab notes.
Not all functionality works as described. Keeping up with documentation seems to be an issue.
Features in the trial are not available everywhere - just from selected and biased locations - many trial components.
Likelihood to Recommend
This all depends on how much you are invested into the Microsoft ecosystem already. I would say many people are already using Microsoft Office, but if you are already making use of SQL, Microsoft BI, Office 365 etc., the transition to the cloud is likely to be seamless. Other areas like SharePoint Online etc., are all great bonuses.
VU
Verified User
Manager in Information Technology (Mining & Metals company, 10,001+ employees)
