In order to optimize the efficiency of your business, you’re going to have to manage your data appropriately. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools out there to help you do so.
Microsoft Azure is one of the most notable, but not everyone knows enough about it to decide if it’s right for them.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the benefits of Azure hosting.
One of the most useful features that Microsoft Azure hosting provides to users is the capability to make use of its intuitive search function.
This is particularly useful for companies that work with large amounts of data, such as wholesalers. Once a data set reaches a large enough size, it’s no longer feasible to sift through it manually.
You’re also able to make use of this feature for any type of content, and business owners who have a difficult time find the information they’re looking for will benefit highly from this functionality.
A company will often use a virtual machine to run software that their computer’s operating system normally wouldn’t be able to. For example, they could open .exe files on an Apple computer. Other companies may use a virtual machine for development purposes.
Businesses that frequently use this type of software will benefit highly from how streamlined they can do so through Microsoft Azure. Not only will this help increase the company’s overall efficiency, but it could also boost its security, as well.
A notable example of this is through running software within a virtual machine to test for any adverse effects.
As your company grows, so do your data storage needs.
Azure lets users seamlessly transfer relevant data to the cloud while archiving data they no longer have use for. So, your company will have no issue managing a large amount of data while it grows, and it will still have access to older information if necessary.
The Microsoft Azure Media Services tool can help you easily incorporate video encoding and streaming into your company’s practices. But, you’re also able to utilize artificial intelligence to acquire relevant metadata that you may need.
While the amount of use that you get out of this too will depend on your company’s overall needs, it’s one of the most efficient ways to handle the above obligations. So, keep it in mind if your business is delivering video content to your audience.
Microsoft Azure comes integrated with a Mobile Apps tool that allows you to create your own mobile applications for various operating systems, including iOS and Android .
You’ll be able to incorporate the same level functionality that you would find in traditional applications, such as push notifications, authentication, etc.
This tool can enhance your company’s internal workflow. For instance, a business may decide to develop its own communication app that employees can use to quickly reach each other, share information about projects, etc.
This will allow you to significantly enhance your productivity and generate more revenue in the future.
As you may expect, Microsoft Azure hosting has plenty of utility when it comes to backing up your data due to how flexible its storage options are.
Since even a short period of downtime can cost a business thousands of dollars in lost revenue, it’s imperative that you always have access to the information you need. To take this a step further, you’re also able to add permissions regarding who is able to access what type of information.
This will help prevent unauthorized activity that could threaten your company’s sensitive data.
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to prevent disaster from striking.
Even larger companies are vulnerable to cybercrime, as was witnessed with the Equifax security breach. Similarly, IT downtime is something that can occur without warning and last far longer than you’re prepared for.
Luckily, much of this damage and inconvenience can be mitigated by utilizing Azure’s site recovery service. Since all of your data will already be properly stored and backed up, restoring the functionality of your site is often a task that has few obstacles.
As previously mentioned, you’re able to set permissions regarding who has access to your company’s backed-up data . But, this level of functionality applies to other forms of data access, as well.
Securing documents, email access, and other similar information is a streamlined process through Azure’s Information Protection tool. You will also find that there are plenty of options to help you categorize and further protect information.
This includes the capability to:
Establishing a thorough security infrastructure will ensure that you minimize the chances of your company’s data becoming compromised or otherwise mishandled.
But it doesn’t have to be.
With the above information about the benefits of Microsoft Azure in mind, you’ll be well on your way toward making the decision that’s best for you.
Want to learn more about how we can help? Feel free to get in touch with us today to see what we can do.
