Microsoft Azure has become a fundamental resource for many businesses, and it’s not hard to see why. Azure’s compatibility and flexible options offer businesses an ideal one stop shop that can meet the majority of their IT needs. Cloud services are one such area. Yet, for those businesses requiring greater cloud capacity, Azure can prove a costlier option overall than introducing other private cloud services into the mix. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of these cloud service options and where the line lies when it comes to cost effectiveness.
What Azure’s cloud services can offer your business
Microsoft Azure’s cloud solutions can offer businesses a vast number of options that will operate seamlessly across Microsoft products. They can also prove cost-effective as many are elements you will receive as standard.
For example:
- Provisioning resources in Azure can be much simpler with their cloud solutions
- They make geo redundancy more affordable
- You are able to choose the sites you want to run in
- Licencing is simpler
- You are legally able to run Microsoft 365 through their cloud
- Azure has Advance Site Recovery optionally available, which can benefit business continuity.
These are all fantastic options for companies that require standard cloud services to operate effectively. The issue arises when a business needs to increase their cloud capacity.
You may also be interested in: Backing up your data for effective business recovery
When can you benefit from using private cloud services?
Private cloud services can prove a more cost-effective solution when a business needs greater cloud capacity. This is because Microsoft Azure does not offer granular increases that a business can adopt as it grows. Rather, their cloud capacity options jump significantly through a package model, and so does the cost. In this instance, using private cloud solutions may be the way to go.
For example:
- If you are using more process power heavy options in your business, such as a SQL database or applications, you will need increased cloud capacity beyond Azure’s basics
- Private cloud services will tend to offer more incremental cloud capacity options, meaning you only pay for what you need and use
- Private cloud suppliers also tend to be more contactable, so if you do have an issue arise it can be sorted out a lot quicker. If you have particular business continuity standards, this may be a necessity.
Benefiting from tailored cloud services
Microsoft Azure is an incredible resource that many businesses cannot do without. But there are other complimentary options available in the market that can be tailored to your business needs and your budget.
Working with a specialist provider will enable your business to benefit from the best of both worlds. We are able to work with you to decide exactly what your business needs and what cost-efficient options are available to meet it.
Find out more
If you would like to discuss the best cloud service options for your business, please contact Andrew Wayman at andrew.wayman@sdt.co.uk or call our office on +44 (0)1344 870062.