Today, accelerated demand for virtual services has created unparalleled pressure on cloud companies to rapidly scale up their virtual services, including storage and computing power. Cloud computing services have changed tremendously in the past two decades. Market leaders have developed new technologies and features to increase the overall value of their cloud model. Touted as one of the best in the market, one such top cloud computing service provider is Microsoft, with its range of cloud services.
The value offered by Microsoft Azure is not unknown in the cloud computing domain. It is a public cloud computing platform that supports several operating systems, databases, etc. With approximately 200 cloud services, tools like Microsoft Azure enable enterprises to implement solutions that increase efficiency and customer satisfaction. This blog focuses on diving into the top 10 Azure services and products in 2023.
What is Microsoft Azure: An Introduction!
Azure is a cloud computing service provided by Microsoft and was released in 2008. Earlier known as “Project Red Dog,” it became Windows Azure in 2014.
It provides services in 42 regions. Some popular tools, such as Visual Studio, ASP.NET, and programming languages like Visual Basic, C++, C#, etc., are prevalent among developers worldwide. Azure also offers Blockchain as a Service (BaaS), Machine Learning, Bots, and Cognitive APIs capabilities.
What makes Azure cloud services unique?
It is its hybrid capabilities. Azure facilitates smooth mobility and a dependable, consistent platform between on-premises and public Cloud. It also provides a range of hybrid connections, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and caches.
Additionally, Azure’s cognitive services empower the development of complex algorithms in applications with minimal code. The services are easy to set up and offer persistent improvements. Azure’s cognitive services offer solutions for cognitive tasks such as image recognition, speech synthesis, picture classification, and verbal fluency.
What are the benefits of using Microsoft Azure Cloud services?
A few of the benefits of using Azure cloud computing services are:
- Low cost – Users only pay for what they use.
- High security – Users get Microsoft’s best security & compliance for data protection.
- Accelerated productivity – Azure is known for its cognitive services that ensure rapid implementation of solutions & services.
- Global scale – Users can create solutions that can go from small scale to global scale in a few clicks.
- Intelligent – Users can use AI in Azure to manage their network intelligently.
Easy installation and management services by Azure Solutions give developers more time to create innovative solutions.
Now that we understand why we need Azure, let’s discuss which products and services will be in demand in the coming days.
Microsoft Azure cloud solutions offer services for the following categories –
- AI + machine learning
- Analytics
- Compute
- Containers
- Databases
- Developer tools
- DevOps
- Hybrid + multi-cloud
- Identity
- Integration
- Internet of Things
- Management and governance
- Media
- Migration
- Mixed reality
- Mobile
- Networking
- Security
- Storage
- Virtual desktop infrastructure
- Web
Varied services are offered in each category, and companies of all sizes can use these services as needed. Almost 70% of world organizations use Microsoft Azure’s cloud services.
Top 10 Microsoft Azure Products & Services in 2023
1. Azure DevOps
One of the very first Azure cloud services to be launched, DevOps is ideal for those looking for more thoughtful planning and better collaboration for faster delivery. It is ideal for building, testing, and deploying with CI/CD. The services include Azure Repos, Azure Pipelines, Azure Boards, Azure Test Plans, and Azure Artifacts.
2. Azure Blob Storage
Microsoft’s object storage cloud solution stores significant amounts of unstructured data. Azure Blob Storage is perfect for adding images/documents directly to browsers, writing log files, streaming audio or video media files, storing data for backup and disaster recovery restoration, plus archiving.
3. Azure Virtual Machines
It provides burstable, compute-optimized, memory-optimized, and general-purpose virtual machines with per-second billing. It is an ideal tool for developing & testing applications, deploying applications in the Cloud as per need, and creating an external virtual data center.
4. Azure Backup
It is an ideal tool for simplifying data protection from human errors and allows users to keep applications consistent using VSS snapshot for Windows and Fsfreeze for Linux.
5. Azure Cosmos DB
It is ideal for creating globally distributed, fully managed NoSQL database service and offers transparent multi-master replication with single-digit millisecond response time. It offers fully managed database administration through automatic management, updates, and patching.
6. Azure Logic Apps
It is ideal for creating robust integration solutions and helps connect data, apps, and devices anywhere. Additionally, its B2B (business-to-business) capabilities ease working with trading partners via EDI (Electronic Data Interchange ) and EAI (Enterprise Application Integration) standards.
7. Azure Active Directory
It is ideal for creating the user id and password for multiple users using the system simultaneously. However, it provides a single login with more straightforward access and allows resource accessibility from any location.
8. API Management
It is ideal for publishing, managing, analyzing, and securing the APIs within minutes. It facilitates the creation of a successful API program by providing core competencies like developer engagement, business insights, analytics, security, and protection. It can be used to create a full-fledged API program using any backend. Additionally, it is one of the highly secured tools and keeps all the APIs secured using IP filters, tokens, and keys.
9. Azure Content Delivery Network
It is ideal for integrating several other services, including web apps, cloud services, and storage, with a secure delivery worldwide. With its advanced analytics, users can obtain insights into customer workflows and business requirements and adjust accordingly.
10. Azure Site Recovery
It is ideal for creating data recovery and disaster recovery on an enterprise level. With benefits such as low downtime, multiple data backup, and low cost, it ensures the best security and recovery of solutions plus data in the Cloud without hammering the actual work.
Conclusion
Selecting a cloud service provider suited to one’s business needs is vital. However, with the benefits and security provided, Microsoft Azure is one of the best cloud service providers in the market currently. It is reliable, secure, fast, and pocket-friendly and offers solutions for every business need. The best part is that the users only pay for their services or solutions.
Which of these Azure services is your favorite? Let us know.
If you need help setting up cloud services for your business, get in touch with our Rapyder Experts today.
