Microsoft Azure Migration: How Can it Benefit Your Business?

As a business owner, you'll constantly be looking for ways to streamline your processes and reduce your overheads, all whilst bettering your cybersecurity. The cloud is the ideal solution; more specifically, Microsoft Azure. But moving to the cloud can be daunting.  

In this article, we're going to look at cloud migration in more detail and how migrating your technology over to Microsoft Azure can benefit your business.  

What is Microsoft Azure? 

Microsoft Azure (MS Azure or just Azure) is a public cloud computing service that ensures effective remote working solutions and much, much more. Offering IaaS – Infrastructure as a service, PaaS – Platform as a Service and SaaS – Software as a Service, Microsoft Azure is the perfect replacement or supplement to your on-premise services. Azure Data Box is a tool for transferring large amounts of data to Azure data centres. 

Why would my business benefit from Microsoft Azure? 

The Azure cloud platform consists of 200+ products and cloud services, that specifically provide solutions to the challenges businesses face. Providing a wealth of services including analytics, virtual computing, networking and storage, if you’re not utilising it for your business – you’re missing a trick! Azure SQL Database is a managed database service that enhances security, high availability, and autoscaling. 

Here’re just a few of Microsoft Azure’s benefits: 

#1 Migrating to Microsoft Azure and Cloud working: Azure Migration Strategy 

We know that moving your business to the cloud is daunting, but with the option to go hybrid with on-premise and cloud solutions, Microsoft Azure ensures you can make the move at your own pace. Azure Migrate is a comprehensive migration service that aids organisations in evaluating and executing the migration of their on-premises IT infrastructure, data and applications to the Azure cloud. Remote working is just as simple as working from the office; all services are available, no matter where your team is based. 

The Azure Migrate Service provides a comprehensive toolset for planning, assessment and execution of migrations, simplifying the entire process and improving functionality through integration with third-party tools. 

A well-defined Microsoft Azure migration strategy is crucial for ensuring a smooth transition, considering benefits, costs and risk factors. Proper assessment and planning are vital for a successful migration to Azure, ensuring that all considerations, tools and processes are effectively managed. Southern IT can help with this, ensuring your business moves over quickly and easily, with no impact on your day-to-day business operations. 

#2 Automatic Cloud Backup and Disaster Recovery with Azure 

A flexible and formidable solution to your compliance and backup & disaster recovery strategy, Microsoft Azure provides advanced site recovery with built in integrations. Providing highly customisable backup schedules, the rate and content of your backups can be set up to match your internal schedules and business activities. Azure also offers data migration tools like the Data Migration Assistant, which facilitate the transfer of data from on-premises systems to the Azure cloud. 

Azure’s built-in integration ensures that automatic backups in a Windows Virtual Environment are hassle-free and comprehensive. The importance of database migration cannot be overstated, and tools like the Azure Database Migration Service and Data Migration Assistant are available to ensure compatibility and efficiency during the migration process. 

#3 Cost efficiency  

If you already have a Microsoft 365 subscription, Microsoft Azure is free. Your costs are appropriate to the capacity needs of your business. There is no upfront cost, and with the lack of physical drives and with all storage in the cloud, you also save on maintenance and replacement of hardware.   

#4 Analytics and reporting  

Microsoft Azure offers a comprehensive set of solutions that turn your data into actionable insights, providing unparalleled performance – 14 times faster than other cloud providers and costing 94% less!   

#5 Simple, Secure Scalability with Azure SQL Database 

Microsoft Azure provides simple scalability solutions, delivering increased productivity and efficiency. The simple pay-as-you go pricing gives your business the agility to scale as required. Azure's migration tools, like Azure Data Migration Assistant and Azure Migrate, streamline and automate the process of migrating virtual machines and data.  

Summary 

Microsoft is continuously innovating and providing solutions to meet your needs today and in the future. With the off-premise savings and online solutions provided, your business has the opportunity to grow and evolve. Microsoft SQL Server can be migrated to Azure using various tools, enhancing transaction processing, business intelligence, and analytics. Azure Migrate's migration and modernisation capabilities facilitate the transition of on-premises servers and virtual machines to Azure.  

Learn More About Cloud Migration  

If you want to know more about moving to the cloud and the benefits to your business, including improved business continuity, drop us a line. Our friendly, expert technical team has helped many businesses just like yours make the transition. We’ve got proven expertise and we can ensure your Microsoft Azure/Cloud migration is a breeze! 

You may also find our article: A Beginner’s Guide to Azure Active Directory, useful. 

Talk to one of our friendly Azure experts. 

Keen to learn more? Explore our other resources on Business Continuity & Backup below: 

• Invoice Diversion Scenario
• Office Move - IT Checklist
• The difference between Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
• Why your Business needs Microsoft 365 Backup
• Is there any alternative to ISO 27001 for my small business?