Microsoft is at the forefront of cloud computing, offering a variety of flexible services based on a scalable pay-as-you-go model. Some Microsoft cloud services target enterprises but others offer computing resources and useful apps to organizations of all sizes. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top five Microsoft cloud services right now in terms of features and popularity. Read on to learn more about them.
Microsoft Cloud Services – Azure
A public cloud computing platform, Microsoft Azure provides Internet as a Service (IaaS) as well as Platform as a Service (PaaS) cloud services for enterprises.
Microsoft Azure brings together a full stack of solutions including computing resources, virtual machines, app development and testing platforms, game development solutions, serverless computing, messaging services, AI and Machine Learning, data and analytics, data backup and disaster recovery, and more.
Microsoft Azure’s roster of cloud services spans all the essential cloud computing needs of a growing enterprise. With Microsoft Azure, you can choose which specific cloud service you want to use and pay only for the resources you use, and which you can scale according to your needs.
The platform also comes with useful cost management and control features that enable you to stick to your budget and optimize costs. Alongside Amazon AWS and Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure is one of the big names in the world of cloud computing services for enterprises and large companies.
Microsoft Cloud Services – Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 is the cloud version of the enduring and widely popular suite of office productivity apps that include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. By choosing it over on-premise Office installations, you can save time on deployment, take the hassle out of software updates, and possibly cut down costs.
Office 365 is available across devices and operating systems including Android and iOS and benefits from language localization. It works on a subscription model based on the features included and the number of users, so you can adapt it to the needs of your organization.
Whether you’re running a small business or managing a large department within an enterprise, Office 365 can make life at the office easier for your team while also allowing them to take their work home on authorized devices.
Microsoft Cloud Services – Visual Studio
Now connected to the cloud, Microsoft Visual Studio is a development environment for building computer programs, web apps, web services, mobile apps, and websites. One of the best-known integrated development environments (IDEs) around, Microsoft Visual Studio remains a top choice for many developers around the world.
Thanks to the cloud, Microsoft Visual Studio is now easier to access, allowing you to create configurable development environments quickly and start building your apps, websites, or services without the hassle of setting up software and hardware on-premise.
Microsoft Cloud Services – Enterprise Mobility Suite
The Microsoft Enterprise Mobile Suite helps you manage mobile devices and mobile applications in the cloud for your organization.
It includes Microsoft Intune through which you can control how your different teams use apps and devices and set up access policies to ensure your data stays safe when employees access it using personal devices.
In a world where working from home has become the norm for many companies and where employees frequently bring their mobile devices to work, Microsoft Intune can be a valuable addition to your list of existing cloud services.
Microsoft Cloud Services – Azure SQL Database
The Microsoft SQL Server has been one of Microsoft’s most popular services in the last decade. Now available in the cloud through the Azure platform, Azure SQL Database enables you to set up SQL servers in the cloud for building complex apps.
It features serverless computing, storage scaling, AI, and automation, making it a powerful and versatile choice. A fully managed solution, Azure SQL simplifies the technical side of things to enable your team to focus on the development process.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve touched on some of Microsoft’s best-know cloud services. But many others within the Azure cloud platform could prove useful to your organization. Taking the time to explore them could help you find new ways to take advantage of the power of the Microsoft cloud.
