6 must-know Azure Services for cloud professionals
As cloud technology continues to evolve, Microsoft Azure stands out as one of the leading platforms for businesses and professional users alike. With a vast array of services designed to support everything from simple applications to complex enterprise systems, Azure offers tools that cater to a wide range of varying needs in the cloud context.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the top Azure services that cloud professionals need to be familiar with, and discuss how you can best use them in practice.
1. Azure Virtual Machines
Azure Virtual Machines (VMs) are one of the most versatile services on the Azure platform. They allow users to create and manage secure virtual environments in the cloud. Azure VMs provide the flexibility to run a wide range of applications, from simple web apps to complex databases, without the need to invest in physical hardware and infrastructure.
When to use them: Azure VMs are ideal for situations where businesses need scalable computing power without the hefty overheads of maintaining physical servers.
2. Azure Storage
Azure Storage offers a range of storage solutions, including Blob Storage, File Storage, Queue Storage, and Table Storage, each tailored to specific data storage needs. Whether you need to store large amounts of unstructured data, share files across a distributed network, or manage structured NoSQL data, Azure Storage has you covered.
When to use it: Azure Blob Storage is often used for storing massive amounts of unstructured data, such as images, videos, and backups. Meanwhile, Azure File Storage provides a fully managed file share in the cloud that can be accessed via the SMB protocol, making it a great option for lifting and shifting legacy applications to the cloud.
3. Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database service built on SQL Server technology. It offers built-in high availability, scalability, and security features, making it an excellent choice for modern cloud applications that require a robust and reliable database solution.
When to use it: Azure SQL Database is perfect for applications that need a high-performance, scalable database with minimal management overhead —think web and mobile applications, and instant query processing.
4. Azure Functions
Azure Functions is a serverless compute service that allows developers to run code on-demand without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. It supports a variety of programming languages and can be triggered by various events, such as HTTP requests, timers, or messages from other Azure services.
When to use it: Azure Functions is ideal for automating workflows, processing data streams, and building lightweight APIs.
5. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) simplifies the deployment, management, and operations of Kubernetes, an open-source container orchestration system. AKS provides automated updates, monitoring, and scaling —plus a dash of AI capability —allowing cloud professionals to deploy and manage their containerised applications faster than ever.
When to use them: AKS is commonly used for running containerised applications in production at scale —particularly microservices architectures, where applications are broken down into smaller, independently deployable services that can be managed and scaled individually.
6. Microsoft Entra ID
Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management service. It provides single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and conditional access to safeguard user credentials and ensure secure access to applications and resources.
When to use it: Entra ID is essential for businesses that need to manage user identities and control access to resources in the cloud.
Want to dive deeper into Azure?
Microsoft Azure offers a vast array of services that cater to a wide range of cloud computing needs —and these are just the tip of the iceberg. Whether you’re deploying virtual machines, managing databases, or running containerised applications, Azure provides the tools necessary to build, manage, and scale your cloud infrastructure efficiently. But, with so many resources at your disposal, it can be tricky to know where to start.
That’s where Bespoke comes in. Bespoke Training can help bridge the gap between knowledge and practical application. Our expert-led Azure training courses are designed to equip your team with the skills needed to leverage these services effectively, ensuring your cloud solutions are powerful, fit-for-purpose and cost-efficient.
Ready to kick-start your Azure journey? Explore our training directory today or get in touch with our team to find the right learning path for you.
