What is Azure Service?
A service which is created and needs to perform a task, which could be one or more resources, is called Azure Service. For example, if you create a Virtual Machine, you will get a Storage Account, a VNet instance and a Network Security Group (NSG). Here, the service is Virtual Machine which you create & the resources of the service are what you manage & interact with.
Why should an Enterprise select Microsoft Azure Services?
For Enterprises, Azure recommends rapidly building, deploying, and managing cloud applications, redefining scalability, and security with deeply integrated services. Azure has the ability to support a wide range of operating systems, frameworks, languages, databases, and devices.
- IaaS & PaaS Capabilities: The combination of Azure & IaaS and PaaS capabilities allows organizations to offload
infrastructure and easily build web or mobile applications. - Simple Learning and Deploy: Azure is easy to learn and deploy and the demand for its services has increased.
Programming languages such as Visual Basic, C++, and C# are well suited for developing cloud-native Azure apps. - Data Safety: Due to Azure & design of the security development lifecycle, security provisioning relative to core Azure services is evident. Efficient operations and data protection in the Azure cloud are therefore worth considering for enterprises.
- Cost Effective: Azure & pay-as-you-go model makes it more attractive, which allows organizations to scale costs
effectively by using the resources provided. Additionally, by implementing Azure Services, organizations can save
money which would be spent on infrastructure and IT maintenance. - SQL and NoSQL Data Services: Enterprises make data-driven decisions using SQL and NoSQL data services provided by Azure. It also makes it easier for companies to gain insights into accessible data.
Microsoft Azure Services List:
Microsoft Azure provides over 200+ services which are divided into several categories. These categories include AI + Machine Learning, Analytics, Compute, Containers, Databases, Developer Tools, DevOps, Hybrid + Multicloud, Identity + Security, Integration, Internet of Things (IoT), Management & Governance, Media, Migration, Mobile, Networking, Storage, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.
An overview of some of the Microsoft Azure Services:
Below are the top 10 cutting-edge services offered by Microsoft Azure and how they are used throughout architecture.
1. Azure Virtual Machines:
Virtual machines (VMs) play a key role in managing critical workloads and running high-performance applications. This is one of Azure & core services under the Compute group and allows you to quickly create virtual machines running Linux or Windows. The most important feature of this Azure platform is the servicing of VMs on demand. With Microsoft Azure, you can get Compute Optimized VMs, Burstable VMs, General Purpose VMs, and Memory Optimized VMs.
Azure Virtual Machine can be used for:
- Development & Testing
- Applications in the Cloud
- Extended Data Center
2. Azure DevOps:
Azure DevOps enables smarter planning and better collaboration due to a wide range of development services. This is one of the first Azure cloud services that was launched in the market. Azure DevOps lets you plan, track, and discuss work using a variety of agile tools. Using Azure DevOps, it is easy for organizations to seamlessly build, test, and deploy using CI/CD. Based on organizations requirement, different Azure DevOps services can be used.
The Azure DevOps services are:
- Azure Repos
- Azure Pipelines
- Azure Boards
- Azure Test Plans
- Azure Artifacts
3. Azure Cosmos DB:
Azure Cosmos DB is arguably one of the most popular cloud computing services offered by Azure and it is a fully managed NoSQL database service. It is designed to provide single-digit millisecond response time, thus ensuring the availability of 99.999%. Cosmos DB not only provides enterprise-grade security, but also enables organizations to develop applications faster with APIs for SQL, MongoDB, and Cassandra. It also allows to gain real-time insights into data which is operational within the organization.
4. Azure Active Directory:
Azure Active Directory (AAD) serves as a platform & helps to create a hassle-free environment for identity management and identity protection. Azure AD is also known as an enterprise identity service for its ability to provide an organization with Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) and Single Sign On (SSO), protecting the users from potential identity thefts. Identity-based authentication offers more opportunities to protect and control consumers. Single sign-on capabilities make it easy for consumers to access applications from anywhere. Above all, a unified identity network will enable improved and secure communications between both internal and external consumers.
5. Azure API Management:
API Management is also one of the most effective Azure web app services available. It helps to analyze, manage, publish, and secure the APIs in minutes. Azure & API management system is a custom-made system, designed for distributing APIs to internal and external clients. It can create sophisticated and reliable API gateways for established backend services regardless of hosting location. In addition to publishing and servicing with Azure & API Management, the organization can also access microservices architecture through APIs. By providing a developer platform and appropriate tools, the organization is free to use the designated user model. Apart from that, they can choose a serverless consumer-based user model for automatic scaling, built-in high availability, and instant deployment.
6. Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN):
Azure Content Delivery Network (CDN) is fundamentally one of the key Azure categories that helps acceleration and growth of the business. The service is designed to integrate and run with a variety of other services such as web apps, Azure cloud services, storage, and more. Azure CDN provides a great user experience by reducing load times and providing responsive speed. This developer-focused service offers robust security that minimizes and eliminates all threats found in content delivery networks. It also allows to transform detailed customer workflows into actionable engagement insights.
7. Azure Backup:
Azure Backup, an integral part of Azure cloud services, is very popular among the organizations who are struggling to back up their on-premises data to the cloud. This one-click backup solution makes it easy to back up SQL workloads and VMs in an encrypted format that protects sensitive data. The service can also use VSS snapshots (Windows) and fsfreeze (Linux) to keep your applications consistent. It also manages your built-in backups from a centralized backup portal making the entire backup process effortless.
8. Azure Logic Apps:
Logic Apps are one of the most essential parts of the services. It helps to create powerful integrated solutions.
This service can automate the entire workflow and keep the business-critical apps connected. Logic Apps can
easily create visual business processes and integrate them into various SaaS applications at the same time. Logic
App service reduces integration challenges, and the business-to-business (B2B) capabilities of Logic Apps help in
easier working with trading partners through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) standards and Enterprise Application Integration (EAI) standards.
9. Azure Site Recovery:
Azure site recovery service is highly appreciated by enterprises across the global. The integrated disaster recovery service makes it easy for organizations to maintain business continuity in the face of major IT challenges. The service is not only easy to set up, but it is also very cost effective and offers much-needed flexibility. Azure Site Recovery helps to maintain the low cost and minimize the downtime and also test the disaster recovery plan with harming the actual work.
10. Azure Bots:
The Azure Bots service is designed to improve the end user experience. This service helps you to create a virtual
assistant or a Q&A based bot. Azure Bot is easy to build using open-source SDK and tools. It can be integrated with powerful AI to improve customer experience and interactive learning. Extensive bot frameworks gives an opportunity to seamlessly handle high volumes of requests. The bot can also integrate with communication channels such as Skype, Cortana, Messenger.
Conclusion:
With over 200+ services and numerous benefits, Microsoft Azure is arguably the fastest growing cloud computing
platform for enterprise adoption. Microsoft Azure provides a secure cloud environment with several services that
helps an organization achieve business outcomes.
