Microsoft Azure is a powerful cloud computing platform designed to build, deploy and manage applications and services without needing to invest in expensive infrastructure. It helps businesses of all sizes perform core operations seamlessly across the platform, bringing flexibility, security and cost-savings to every area of your business.
However, with a platform as powerful as Azure, and especially for companies that are new to cloud computing, it can be helpful to opt for Azure as a managed service. Here, the managed service provider [MSP], is essentially an extension of your IT department, and can help with optimising the platform to your specific business needs.
So, how does Azure work as a managed service, and how does that benefit your business?
Consultation and expertise
If you are considering using Microsoft Azure as a managed service, this will usually begin with a consultation. Here, an MSP will take time to understand the specific needs of your business, or specific issues you are encountering, and plan a strategy for implementing Azure that will solve these pain points.
A good MSP will be able to create a bespoke solution that increases your efficiency in a cost and resource effective way. Once this solution is implemented, your MSP will be able to take over the management of the platform, ensuring that the service is running optimally and continues to meet the demands of your business.
Managing migration and deployment
Once the consultation and planning stages are completed, one of the most important aspects of an expert MSP is in overseeing a successful migration to the cloud. Depending on your needs, your provider can undertake this entire process on your behalf – especially handy for smaller businesses or those lacking the in-house expertise to undertake such a process – or simply advise and guide your existing IT team on best practices.
Opting for an MSP to handle Azure on your behalf gives you access to expertise as if they were an extension of your own team. All of these factors contribute to a successful transition to the cloud that is right for your company, and minimises any potential downtime or negative consequences that could arise from a poorly-planned migration.
Assistance with cost savings
Microsoft Azure has multiple cost-related benefits that mean you only pay for what you actively use. A trusted MSP will be able to further optimise these cost-saving benefits by looking at the performance of your organisation related to your existing IT infrastructure, and making strategic recommendations that keep costs low.
Another huge benefit of Azure is the ability to remain flexible, and scale the platform up or down to suit your specific business needs at any given time. Your MSP can help you make the most of this feature, and assist with future planning relating to scaling or seasonal demand that may require increases in IT resources. Given that Azure provides multiple service plans, an MSP will be able to recommend the best option for you in relation to your goals.
Ongoing support
After a successful migration, your MSP remains on standby to provide that all-important day-to-day management that is vital to getting the most out of Azure. Functions such as backup and recovery, while unmatched with Microsoft Azure, do often come with complex recovery processes that can be efficiently handled by your MSP to ensure data is recovered fast and successfully.
Additionally, core updates to virtual machines, ongoing configuration management, compliance and policy management, and other time-consuming but vital operations can all easily be outsourced to your MSP.
Final thoughts
Moving your operations to the cloud with Microsoft Azure can be daunting, especially for businesses that lack the in-house expertise to do so. With a trusted managed services provider, you can be sure of expert insight and support at every step of the way, so you can be confident in a successful migration.
If you want to learn how your business can start reaping the benefits of Microsoft Azure, get in touch with us to book your obligation-free assessment, or discuss how you can optimise your Microsoft spend.
