Azure Cloud provides businesses with the tools to improve productivity, drive innovation, and reduce costs. Whether replacing ageing infrastructure or adopting advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, Azure offers significant opportunities—but only with careful management. Without oversight, cloud costs can escalate quickly. Fortunately, Azure includes tools to help businesses control budgets, use data effectively, and strengthen security. Here’s how to get the most out of it.
Use Data Analytics to Drive Better Decisions
Modern businesses collect vast amounts of data, from customer behaviour to operational metrics. To turn this data into valuable insights, two key steps are required: effective storage and robust analytics.
- Data Storage Options: Azure provides scalable storage solutions such as Azure Storage Blobs (ideal for logs and backups) and Azure Data Lake Store, a central repository built for big data analytics. These tools allow businesses to store data of all types and sizes in a single location, ready for analysis.
- Analytical Tools: Advanced Analytics: Tools like Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Data Lake Analytics offer comprehensive platforms for managing, processing, and analysing large-scale data. Microsoft Fabric, in particular, unifies data engineering, science, and visualisation, enabling real-time insights across the organisation. These solutions integrate with AI and machine learning, making it easier for businesses to uncover trends, predict outcomes, and make informed decisions.
Manage Costs with Azure Cost Management
Cloud computing can reduce expenses, but only with consistent cost management. Azure includes tools that help businesses monitor and control their spending:
- Budget Tracking: The Cost Analysis feature provides a clear view of usage trends and forecasts future costs. Users can set budgets and receive alerts when costs approach predefined limits.
- Cost Optimisation: The Advisor Recommendations section offers actionable suggestions to improve cost efficiency, ensuring businesses get the best value for their Azure investment.
These features make it easy to align cloud usage with financial goals while avoiding unexpected bills.
Strengthen Security with SSO and MFA
Azure Active Directory (AD) offers identity and access management capabilities that improve both security and user experience.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): SSO allows users to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials. This reduces the need for multiple passwords, improving productivity and reducing the risk of weak or reused passwords.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA requires users to provide two or more verification factors, such as a password, a trusted device, or biometrics. This significantly reduces the risk of account compromise, blocking 99.9% of account compromise attacks.
How Can Azure Help Your Business?
These are just some of the many ways businesses can work more productively, save money and increase security through the Azure Cloud. Get your modernisation roadmap with our Azure SQL Workshop and take the next step in making the most of cloud computing.