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Migrating On-Premises Applications to Azure

As organisations increasingly seek the scalability, cost efficiency, and innovation opportunities of the cloud, migrating on-premises applications and workloads to Microsoft Azure has become a strategic priority.

Let’s have a look at the essential steps to ensure a seamless migration process, from planning to post-migration optimisation.

1. Assess Your Current Environment

Begin by evaluating your on-premises infrastructure and applications.

Use tools like the Azure Migrate service to analyse workloads, identify dependencies, and estimate costs. This stage helps you categorise applications into candidates for rehosting, refactoring, rearchitecting, or retiring.

2. Define the Migration Strategy

Choose an appropriate migration approach based on the applications’ complexity and business requirements. Common strategies include:

  • Rehosting (Lift-and-Shift): Migrating applications with minimal changes. Ideal for quick transitions.
  • Refactoring: Modifying applications to optimise them for cloud scalability.
  • Rearchitecting: Rebuilding applications to take full advantage of Azure’s cloud-native features.
  • Retiring: Decommissioning outdated or redundant applications.

3. Plan Your Migration

Develop a comprehensive migration plan that includes:

  • Resource mapping: Match your on-premises resources to Azure services.
  • Downtime considerations: Plan around maintenance windows to minimise business disruption.
  • Compliance and security: Ensure data sovereignty and compliance with regulations like The Spam Act or GDPR.

Azure provides compliance offerings to assist organisations in meeting global standards.

4. Set Up Your Azure Environment

Before migrating workloads, prepare your Azure environment by:

  • Creating resource groups to organise and manage resources.
  • Configuring a Virtual Network (VNet) to ensure secure connectivity.
  • Setting up Identity and Access Management (IAM) with Azure Active Directory.

Refer to Microsoft’s guide on Azure Architecture Best Practices for configuration recommendations.

5. Migrate Applications and Data

Use Azure-native tools for migration:

  • Azure Migrate: A central hub for migrating servers, databases, and virtual machines.
  • Database Migration Service (DMS): Migrate databases with minimal downtime.
  • Azure Site Recovery (ASR): Ensure business continuity by replicating workloads.

Begin with less critical workloads to test your migration plan, scaling up once processes are validated.

6. Test and Validate

After migration, rigorously test applications to ensure functionality and performance. Use Azure Monitor for real-time insights into system health and Azure Application Insights for troubleshooting.

7. Optimise Post-Migration

Once live, optimise costs, performance, and security by:

  • Leveraging the Azure Cost Management and Billing tool to monitor expenses.
  • Enabling autoscaling for applications to handle varying workloads.
  • Applying Azure Security Centre recommendations to strengthen security.

8. Train your Team and Update Processes

Empower your team with training on Azure services and adapt processes for cloud operations. There are FREE training options available such as Microsoft Learn, which is a great starting place that offers free resources to upskill your workforce.

9. Monitor and Maintain

Finally, implement a robust monitoring strategy. Use Azure Monitor and Log Analytics to identify anomalies and ensure ongoing performance.

Get expert guidance with Bespoke Training

Migrating on-premises applications to Azure requires careful planning, the right tools, and a focus on optimisation—skills that are essential for success.

Bespoke Training offers customised Microsoft courses designed to equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively utilise Azure services and implement best practices. Our experienced instructors provide hands-on guidance to ensure your team gains the confidence required to migrate to Microsoft Azure successfully.

Talk to Bespoke and let us help you get the skills you need to make your Azure migration a success.

Use AWS Jams To Master Real-World Cloud Skills

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The rapid pace of cloud technology requires constant learning and adaptation. One innovative way AWS is bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills is through AWS Jams.

But what exactly are AWS Jams, and why have they become a popular training format for cloud professionals?

AWS Jams are gamified, immersive, hands-on learning sessions designed to push students beyond basic cloud concepts, placing them in simulated environments where they must solve real-world challenges.

Typically conducted in groups, these experiences are a blend of learning, competition, and practical application. While AWS training traditionally focuses on learning AWS services through lectures or guided labs, Jams take it a step further by challenging participants to apply their skills to scenarios that mimic actual business or security situations.

How AWS Jams Work

During an AWS Jam, participants are presented with a series of scenarios, referred to as challenges, which they must solve within a set timeframe. Each challenge is unique and demands a mix of creative thinking, technical know-how, and collaboration. These challenges span a broad range of AWS competencies, such as security, artificial intelligence, data analytics, DevOps, and more.

Teams compete to earn points based on how quickly and accurately they resolve challenges, with real-time leaderboards adding an extra layer of excitement. The format of AWS Jams makes them highly engaging and an excellent means of reinforcing critical cloud skills in a short period.

Also, the competitive aspect helps participants stay focused, collaborate efficiently, and think critically — all essential skills in today’s workplace.

Benefits of AWS Jams

  • Real-World Experience: AWS Jams simulate real-world challenges, allowing participants to develop solutions that can directly translate into their professional tasks. This hands-on, trial-by-fire approach makes it easier to retain and apply what they learn
  • Team Collaboration: AWS Jams are collaborative, encouraging participants to work as a team to tackle complex issues. This not only reinforces cloud skills but also cultivates teamwork and communication
  • Problem-Solving Under Pressure: Real-time challenges provide an opportunity to test and refine one’s ability to make informed decisions quickly. This can be especially beneficial for roles that require a high level of responsiveness and adaptability.
  • Customisation: Organisations can request tailored AWS Jam sessions that focus on specific skills or scenarios relevant to their industry. Custom Jams ensure that participants gain skills that are immediately applicable to their work environment.

Get Started with Bespoke Training Solutions

AWS Jams are perfect for teams looking to enhance their expertise, develop their problem-solving skills, and gain hands-on experience. Whether you’re a DevOps engineer, security analyst, data scientist, or cloud architect, an AWS Jam can offer your team valuable insights that advance your knowledge.

At Bespoke, we believe that hands-on experience is key to mastering AWS. Interested in experiencing the thrill and challenge of an AWS Jam? Talk to Bespoke to book your own AWS Jam today and supercharge your team’s cloud capabilities.

Optimise your cloud costs with FinOps

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Cloud computing has transformed the landscape of IT, offering unparalleled flexibility and scalability. Yet, as organisations embrace the cloud, they also face a new challenge—managing unpredictable costs.

FinOps, short for Financial Operations, has emerged as the answer to this complexity, helping businesses decode the messages hidden in their cloud bills. But what exactly is your cloud bill trying to tell you?

Reading Between the Lines of Your Cloud Bill

An unexpected spike in your cloud bill might feel like an alert demanding your attention. Cloud services operate on a pay-as-you-go model, where every operation—from virtual machines to storage and data transfer—can add up quickly. If costs spiral out of control, it’s often due to underutilised resources, suboptimal configurations, or running workloads in more expensive regions.

FinOps empowers organisations to transform these cost challenges into opportunities for optimisation. This practice bridges the gap between finance, IT, and operations, ensuring every cloud dollar spent aligns with business objectives. FinOps is about more than just cutting costs; it’s about gaining value from your cloud investment. Gartner describes it as a process of continuous collaboration and improvement between different teams.

The Rise of FinOps: Turning Complexity into Opportunity

FinOps isn’t just a set of tools or cost-cutting measures—it’s a cultural shift. Traditionally, finance teams and IT departments worked in silos, but the cloud era demands collaboration. Real-time cost insights enable informed decision-making, allowing teams to innovate while keeping expenses in check.

The three core pillars of FinOps—visibility, optimisation, and governance—help organisations navigate the complexity of cloud costs. Visibility ensures every team understands and monitors their cloud spending. Optimisation focuses on rightsizing resources, implementing reservation strategies, and eliminating waste. Governance establishes policies and controls to maintain budgetary discipline and prevent runaway expenses.

For a detailed guide on FinOps best practices, check out AWS’s Cost Management resources and Microsoft’s Azure Cost Management documentation.

Why FinOps Matters Now More Than Ever

With tighter budgets and economic uncertainty, organisations must justify every penny of their cloud investment. FinOps transforms cloud spending from a reactive burden into a proactive business enabler, allowing for innovation without the fear of waste.

Getting Upskilled with AWS and Microsoft saves money

If you’re ready to take control of your cloud costs, upskilling in cloud financial management is a smart move. Bespoke Training offers a range of flexible AWS and Microsoft courses that can help your teams master FinOps best practices, understand cost management tools, and optimise cloud spend.

  • AWS Cloud Financial Management for Builders: This instructor-led course equips teams with cost management skills, covering tools like AWS Cost Explorer, AWS Budgets, and AWS Cost and Usage Reports. Learn how to monitor, control, and optimise your AWS costs for maximum impact
  • Microsoft Azure Cost Management and Billing: Gain insights into cost tracking and optimisation for Azure resources. This course focuses on using Azure’s Cost Management tools, setting budgets, tracking usage, and implementing policies for effective cost governance.

Bespoke Training’s instructor-led courses offer flexibility so that your team can be trained at a time and place suitable to the needs of your organisation. Upskilling will ensure your team is well-equipped to decode the messages your cloud bill is sending and drive financial efficiency. Don’t let unpredictable costs derail your cloud journey—embrace FinOps and gain clarity, optimisation, and control.

Contact Bespoke Training today to learn how our flexible AWS and Microsoft courses can help you master FinOps, optimise cloud costs, and align technical decisions with financial goals.

Using Amazon SageMaker for Machine Learning Projects

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Amazon SageMaker is a powerful tool for developers and data scientists looking to build, train, and deploy machine learning (ML) models at scale. SageMaker simplifies ML workflows, enabling faster iteration and reducing infrastructure complexity.

Let’s unpack how SageMaker can be used to take a model from development to deployment.

Why Use Amazon SageMaker?

Machine learning usually involves three main stages: building the model, training it, and deploying it. Each stage requires substantial resources and expertise. SageMaker offers an integrated environment with all the tools necessary for these stages, eliminating the need for separate setups.

This means you can focus on your data science objectives without worrying about underlying infrastructure, which AWS looks after for you.

1. Building the Model

To start using SageMaker, log into your AWS account and navigate to the SageMaker Console.

From here, you can access SageMaker Studio, an interactive development environment that provides a comprehensive toolkit for ML projects.

SageMaker Studio offers a Jupyter notebook environment pre-loaded with popular ML libraries such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Scikit-Learn. SageMaker Studio allows you to write and test code while taking advantage of AWS’s scalable cloud resources.

  • Pre-built Algorithms: These can save you time if you’re working on standard ML tasks, such as image classification or natural language processing. Select from these in the console or upload custom code to the notebook environment
  • Data Preparation: Using SageMaker’s Data Wrangler is a great tool to clean and transform your data from various sources, and the SageMaker Feature Store helps you manage and store features consistently across multiple projects

2. Training the Model

Once your data is prepared and your model is set up, it’s time to train it. Training models can be resource-intensive, but SageMaker provides several tools that streamline this process.

  • Managed Training Instances: SageMaker allows you to choose from a variety of instance types for training, ranging from CPU to GPU, depending on the needs of your model. SageMaker automatically scales these resources to optimise performance and reduce costs.
  • Distributed Training: For large datasets and complex models, distributed training is critical. SageMaker supports automatic model parallelism, which partitions large models across multiple GPUs, and data parallelism. This splits data across multiple devices, which means faster training times without requiring manual configuration.
  • Hyperparameter Tuning: Finding the best hyperparameters can be time-consuming, but SageMaker simplifies this with automatic hyperparameter tuning. It will test a range of hyperparameters, identify the best configuration, and apply it to improve model accuracy and efficiency.

3. Deploying the Model

After training, the next step is to deploy the model. SageMaker makes deployment fast and easy, whether you’re aiming for a batch or real-time inference.

  • SageMaker Endpoints: If you need real-time predictions, deploy your model as an endpoint. SageMaker handles the provisioning and scaling of infrastructure. Simply specify your desired instance type, and SageMaker takes care of the rest, setting up a fully managed endpoint ready to serve predictions.
  • Batch Transform: If real-time predictions aren’t necessary, you can use the Batch Transform feature to perform inference on large datasets all at once. This can be cost-effective for bulk predictions, as you only pay for the duration of the batch job, rather than maintaining an endpoint.
  • A/B Testing and Model Monitoring: SageMaker offers features to test multiple models simultaneously, allowing for A/B testing in production. SageMaker Model Monitor continuously observes your model’s accuracy over time and alerts you if it detects data drift or accuracy decline.

Real-World Example: Building a Model with SageMaker

If you’re using  SageMaker to build a model to predict customer churn for a retail business, here’s how the process would look:

  • Data Preparation: Use SageMaker Data Wrangler to clean your data and SageMaker Feature Store to manage features like customer demographics and past purchase behaviour
  • Building: Write your code in SageMaker Studio or select one of the built-in algorithms, such as the XGBoost algorithm, known for its accuracy in predictive modeling
  • Training: Set up an instance type based on your needs, configure hyperparameter tuning, and start the training job. SageMaker will save your best model based on the results
  • Deployment: Use SageMaker Endpoints to deploy the model and obtain real-time predictions for each customer. For daily prediction jobs, you could use Batch Transform instead.
  • Monitoring: Implement SageMaker Model Monitor to keep an eye on model performance over time. If accuracy begins to fall, SageMaker can notify you to retrain the model with updated data.

Amazon SageMaker provides a comprehensive, easy-to-use environment for managing ML projects from start to finish. With tools for every stage of the process, SageMaker enables data scientists and developers to spend more time refining models and extracting insights, rather than setting up and maintaining infrastructure.

By leveraging SageMaker, businesses can accelerate ML initiatives, achieving reliable and scalable deployments with minimal effort.

Learn Sagemaker with Bespoke

At Bespoke, we offer flexible, hands-on training in Amazon SageMaker, designed for practical, real-world applications. Our courses ensure you’re not only gaining technical knowledge but also acquiring the hands-on experience needed to excel in machine learning projects.

Our expert instructors guide you through SageMaker’s most powerful features, such as data preparation, model training, and deployment. With interactive labs and customisable training programs, you’ll develop the skills to manage end-to-end machine learning workflows confidently.

Get in touch today to start your SageMaker journey with Bespoke’s flexible courses and unlock your potential in machine learning.

What are Microsoft Applied Skills?

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Increasingly, leaders are realising the importance of training and development on their team. From certification to instructor-led training; from bootcamps to self-paced modules —as the cloud world continues to grow, vendors and providers are building out new ways for users to add credibility to their skills, and solidify and showcase their expertise.

Introducing Microsoft Applied Skills; an initiative crafted to validate individuals’ proficiency in the skills required to deliver on mission-critical projects. Let’s dive deeper into Microsoft Applied Skills: what they are, why they’re good for individuals and employers alike, and how you can get started today.

What are Microsoft Applied Skills?

Microsoft Applied Skills shift the focus from theory, to specific scenario-based skills that mirror real-world challenges. Unlike traditional certifications, Applied Skills credentials validate your inherent ability to implement projects using Microsoft technologies. These credentials place a large emphasis on hands-on experience and practical application, acting as a tangible demonstration of your capabilities in the workforce.

Let’s compare: Applied Skills vs Certifications

Unlike certifications, which focus on role-based competencies, Applied Skills emphasise project-based learning and scenario-based assessments —they focus on the particular skills required to deliver a project, rather than the skills required for a particular role. In a nutshell: they’re more targeted and timely compared to certifications, which are about demonstrating competencies across a broader scope.

This table from the Microsoft team sums it up nicely:

  Applied Skills credentials   Microsoft Certifications
Validates One specific skill set that can be directly applied in your organisation to solve a scenario-based critical business challenge Four to six skill sets designed to address the needs of a specific job role that makes the most of Microsoft solutions and technologies
Focus Project-based Role-based
Preparation time Varies depending on the specific scenario and your familiarity with the subject matter Varies depending on the specific certification and your familiarity with the subject matter
Assessment
or exam		 Take the online lab-based assessment over a total of two hours Take the proctored certification exam (multiple choice, case studies, and other question types), with Microsoft Learn resources, over a total of two hours or more

Why choose Applied Skills?

In response to the industry’s shift towards skills-based hiring, Applied Skills provides a pivotal pathway for employees —prioritising practical expertise over theoretical knowledge or formal qualifications. Acquiring an Applied Skills credential not only gives employees a little extra hands-on lab experience, but also provides industry recognition to help give credibility to their experience —which can help to accelerate career growth.

For employers, supporting your team to achieve Applied Skills credentials offers a range of advantages. Cultivate a talent pool equipped with the practical know-how needed to drive critical projects —while enhancing employee morale and boosting retention. It’s also a risk-aversion strategy for complex or high-stakes projects: a way to validate your team’s competencies and ensure you’ve got the range of the skills needed to deliver on your project objectives.

What’s more, having a team proficient in Applied Skills can position your company as a leader in the industry — helping to attract the best talent and bolstering the organisation’s competitive edge in the marketplace.

How to get started

Preparing for an Applied Skills credential involves a structured approach that emphasises hands-on learning and practical application. Remember, these credentials are about validating your skills —so ideally, you have the skills to begin with!

Start out by exploring the range of credentials available and selecting one aligned with your career goals, and current competencies. If you’re looking to brush up before your exams, use resources like Microsoft Learn, or a training partner like Bespoke to familiarise yourself with the tasks and concepts.

The last hurdle? Take the lab-based assessment to demonstrate your skills. Work through the scenarios and showcase how you can use Microsoft technologies to solve real-world challenges.

Supercharge your Applied Skills with a little help from Bespoke

With Microsoft Applied Skills paving the way for a new era of skills validation, the Bespoke team are on-hand to help accelerate your team’s journey to proficiency. As your trusted training partner, we offer programs designed to help you brush up on existing skills or acquire new ones —so you’ll have all the practical know-how needed to earn your Applied Skills credentials.

Ready to take the next step? Get in touch with us today to learn more about our courses and start your journey towards cloud mastery and Microsoft Applied Skills!

How to migrate on-premises applications to AWS

Migrating on-premises applications to Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a transformative step that can enhance scalability, reduce costs, and improve the operational efficiency of your business. But, it’s not as simple as flicking a switch: successful migration requires careful planning and execution to ensure a smooth transition.

This article will guide you through the essential steps of migrating your on-premises applications to AWS, and show you some tips, tools and best practices to help you achieve a successful migration.

Step 1: Assess and plan

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Start your migration process by thoroughly assessing your current on-prem environment to understand application dependencies, network requirements, and data governance needs.

From here, you can develop a detailed migration plan that includes:

  • Choosing the right migration strategy (6 R’s: Rehost, Replatform, Repurchase, Refactor, Retain, and Retire)
  • Setting clear goals and KPIs
  • Identifying skills gaps and training needs for your team

Extra tip: Tools like AWS Migration Hub provide a central location to track the progress of migrations across multiple AWS and partner solutions

Step 2: Design the cloud environment

The next step is to design a cloud architecture that aligns with your business needs and compliance requirements. Use AWS services such as Amazon Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) for isolated network space, and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for secure access control. Consider multi-region deployment for higher availability and disaster recovery capabilities.

Step 3: Migrate your data

Data migration is a critical component that requires a solid strategy in order to reduce downtime, and avoid and data loss:

Step 4: Move Applications

Depending on how your applications are set up, you will need to choose the appropriate migration method for each one. You could be looking at:

  • Rehosting (Lift-and-shift): Quickly move applications to AWS without changes
  • Replatforming: Make minimal changes to optimize applications for the cloud
  • Refactoring: Completely redesign applications to be cloud-native.

Extra tip: Look into AWS tools like AWS Application Migration Service for seamless application transfers.

Step 5: Optimise

Once your applications are running on AWS, optimise their performance and cost by using AWS Cost Management tools to monitor and control spending.

Using the right tools, you can implement auto scaling to dynamically adjust resources based on demand, or use serverless options like AWS Lambda to reduce operational overhead.

Step 6: Validate and Go Live

Thoroughly test the migrated applications to ensure they perform as you expect them to, in the AWS environment. Validate security, performance, and compliance against your initial objectives. After you’ve successfully validated your new environment, plan a go-live date.

Ensure that you have rollback plans in case of unexpected issues. Then, you can gradually ramp up traffic to the new system as per your pre-planned strategy.

Bespoke is here to help you lean in to cloud

Successfully migrating to AWS not only involves using the right tools but also ensuring your team is well-prepared to handle the new environment.

Bespoke Training offers tailored AWS training programs delivered by certified experts to help your team master AWS technologies and best practices. From understanding the core AWS services to advanced architecture training, we ensure your migration is supported by knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

Ready to get started?

Ready to start your migration journey or need more guidance? Get in touch today to discover how our flexible courses can empower your team to deliver a smooth and effective migration to AWS.

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.

How to ace the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Exam

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam is a high-value certification for IT professionals looking to validate their expertise in designing and deploying scalable systems on AWS. Passing this certification can open doors to advanced career opportunities by demonstrating your proficiency in AWS architecture. But, it’s no walk in the park.

Preparing for the exam requires a solid study plan, a deep understanding of AWS services —and ideally, some hands-on practical experience. In this article, we’ll share some tips and tricks to help you prepare effectively for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam —so you can ace the test, and kick-start your career.

Why sit the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Certification?

Put simply, achieving this certification is a huge boon for your credibility. It shows, certifiably, that you have the ability to:

  • Design resilient architectures
  • Implement security best practices when architecting in AWS environments
  • Optimise the performance of your solutions
  • Manage AWS resources to minimise costs while maximising outcomes

This certification is ideal for solutions architects, system administrators, and developers who design and deploy applications in the AWS cloud. For employees, it shows you’ve got the skills you say you do (making you more employable). For employers, having team members who are certified means you’re more likely to deliver projects to high standards, and achieve business outcomes more readily.

Tips for preparing for the exam

So you’ve decided to make the jump, and get certified. What’s next? Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Complete the official AWS Solutions Architect Course

One of the best ways to ramp up your knowledge, try the labs, and get your questions answered from a live Champion instructor, is to attend the associate level, 3-day Architecting on AWS instructor-led course.

This immersive experience will keep you focused on exactly what you need to learn about solutions architecture, including identifying services and features to build resilient, secure and highly available IT solutions on the AWS Cloud.

Understand the exam blueprint

Start by reviewing the official AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam guide. This guide outlines the domains covered in the exam, including design, implementation, cost management, and security. Understanding the exam’s structure will help you focus your study efforts on the most critical topics.

Tap into AWS resources

AWS provides a few great whitepapers and resources that cover best practices and architectural principles. Some essential resources to take a look at are:

Get some hands-on experience

Practical experience is crucial for passing the exam. Use the AWS Free Tier to experiment with AWS services as much as you can. Build and deploy sample applications to understand how different services interact. Hands-on labs and projects will solidify your knowledge and prepare you for scenario-based exam questions —the more practice you can get, the better!

Practice with exam simulators

Exam simulators are an excellent way to test your knowledge and get comfortable with the exam format. Practice exams can help you identify areas where you need further study and build confidence in your ability to handle the time constraints of the exam. Although they aren’t free, they are worth every penny when it comes to preparing you for what’s ahead. The AWS Training and Certification Practice Exam is available directly through AWS.

Revise, revise, revise

Regular review is key to retaining information. Set aside time each week to revisit key concepts and practice scenarios. Focus on areas where you feel less confident, and use flashcards or summary notes to reinforce your understanding.

Feeling stuck? Get a little extra help from an expert

If you feel like you could benefit from a bit of extra hands-on support, our expert instructors here at Bespoke can guide you every step of the way. With practical training and real-world scenarios, our courses are designed to ensure you not only understand the material but can apply it effectively in your work —and in your exam.

Get ready to take your career to new heights

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam is a challenging but rewarding certification that requires a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

At Bespoke Training, we can help give you the skills you need to ace your exam and hit your AWS certification goals. Our expert-led courses are designed to bridge the gap between theory and practical application, providing you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the world of cloud.

Ready to take the next step in your AWS journey? Explore our training directory, and courses like our Architecting deep-dive, or get in touch today to find your tailored learning path.

5 AWS services every cloud professional needs to know

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a comprehensive and widely adopted cloud platform that offers a wide range of services for every business need. From computing power to storage, databases, and more — AWS offers great flexibility.

The trade off is that it can be challenging to navigate, and narrow down which services are right for your business and your needs.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most critical AWS services and discuss how they can be leveraged to suit your organisation.

1. Amazon EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud)

Amazon EC2 is one of the most fundamental AWS services, providing scalable computing capacity in the cloud. It allows users to launch virtual servers —or instances— tailored to your computing needs: from small applications to large-scale enterprise workloads.

What you can use it for:

  • Web hosting: Host websites and applications with super scalable computing power.
  • Batch processing: Run large-scale batch processing jobs efficiently.
  • High-performance computing: Use powerful instances for tasks requiring big processing power, like simulations or big data analytics.

2. Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)

Amazon S3 is an storage service that offers industry-leading scalability, data availability, security, and performance. It allows users to store and retrieve any amount of data —from anywhere on the web.

What you can use it for:

  • Data backup: Store and protect your critical data securely and cost-effectively.
  • Content distribution: Transmit large amounts of static content (images, videos, etc.) to a global audience —quickly and easily.
  • ‘Big Data’ analytics: Store large datasets for analysis using AWS data analytics tools like Amazon Athena and Amazon Redshift.

3. Amazon RDS (Relational Database Service)

Amazon RDS simplifies the setup, operation, and scaling of relational databases in the cloud. It supports several database engines, including Amazon Aurora, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB, Oracle, and SQL Server.

What you can use it for:

  • Web applications: Power transactional applications that require high availability and performance.
  • Data warehousing: Manage structured data easily for analytics and reporting.
  • Business applications: Run ERP, CRM, and other business-critical applications with a managed relational database.

4. AWS Lambda

AWS Lambda is a serverless compute service that runs your code in response to events and automatically manages the underlying compute resources. It allows you to focus solely on writing code without worrying about server management.

What you can use it for:

  • Real-time file processing: Process files in real-time, such as generating thumbnails or transcoding videos, as they are uploaded to S3.
  • Backend for web and mobile applications: Build serverless APIs and manage backend logic without managing servers.
  • Automated tasks: Trigger functions to automate tasks like responding to changes in data, monitoring, and executing workflows.

5. Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud)

Amazon VPC enables you to provision a section of the AWS cloud where you can launch AWS resources in a virtual network, within your own defined parameters. It provides complete control over your virtual networking environment.

What you can use it for:

  • Secure cloud environments: Build a secure environment for running applications and storing sensitive data.
  • Hybrid cloud: Extend your on-premises network to the cloud, maintaining secure communication between your data center and AWS.
  • Custom network configurations: Configure custom IP ranges, subnets, and route tables to meet specific networking requirements.

These are just a few of AWS’s key services —services that act as the building blocks for robust, scalable, and cost-effective solutions in the cloud. By understanding the capabilities and use cases of these tools, you’re able to choose the right configuration to meet your business objectives.

At Bespoke Training, we know that mastering AWS services is crucial for leveraging the cloud effectively. Our structured AWS training courses are designed to bridge the knowledge gap, equipping your team with the skills to use these essential services to their full potential.

It’s time to take your cloud strategy to new heights. If you’re just getting started, check out our Technical Essentials course to dive deeper into some of these services. Or, if you’re ready to expand your knowledge, get in touch to find the best learning path for you and your team today.

Key Strategies to Cutting Costs in Microsoft Azure

In the business world, every dollar counts. For companies wanting to stay viable —and thrive— a solid understanding of cost optimisation is crucial for success.

With most organisations using some form of cloud in their operations, understanding not only general cloud cost optimisation techniques, but also strategies and tools unique to their chosen provider, is highly important for long term success.

Microsoft Azure is one of the world’s most popular cloud service providers. But, as cloud adoption increases, so do the complexities and potential expenses associated with managing these environments. This article explores the ins and outs of cost optimisation, and unpacks some of the tools Azure has in place to help users effectively manage and reduce costs in their Azure environments.

Why do we need to focus on Cost Optimisation?

The most obvious reason for organisations to focus on cost optimisation, is for greater financial efficiency. Cloud services offer scalability and flexibility, but without proper management, costs can spiral out of control. Cost optimisation ensures that businesses only pay for the resources they need, preventing unnecessary expenses and boosting ROI.

Optimising costs goes hand-in-hand with optimising resource utilisation. Ensuring that resources are used efficiently not only saves money but also improves performance and reliability.

What’s more, this efficient use of resources contributes to sustainability. Efficient cloud management aligns with green computing initiatives, promoting environmentally friendly practices. So how can you best manage costs when using Azure? Let’s get started.

Our top tips for cost management in Azure

  • Leverage Built-in tools: Azure provides built-in tools like Azure Cost Management and Billing, which offer insights into your cloud spending. These tools help track usage, analyse costs, and set budgets to prevent overspending.
  • Right-size your resources: Continuously monitor and adjust the size of your virtual machines (VMs) and other resources. Tools like Azure Advisor provide recommendations on under-utilised or over-provisioned resources that could be scaled down, or opportunities for redirecting additional funds to for greater performance.
  • Train your team: Well-trained personnel can more effectively monitor and manage cloud resources —making informed decisions that reduce unnecessary expenditures. Even better, knowledgeable staff can troubleshoot and optimise applications more efficiently, further driving down costs and boosting your operational efficiency.

Azure’s ready-made Cost Optimisation tools

Azure has a wide range of available tools to help you to keep your cloud costs in check:

  • Azure Cost Management and Billing: A comprehensive toolset for tracking, analysing, and optimising your Azure spending. It provides cost and usage reports, budgets, and recommendations for cost-saving opportunities.
  • Azure Advisor: A personalised cloud consultant that provides best practices and recommendations to help you optimise your Azure deployments. It offers insights into cost optimisation, security, performance, and availability.
  • Azure Pricing Calculator: This is an essential tool for estimating the costs of Azure services. It allows you to create and share cost estimates, helping you plan and budget for new deployments.
  • Azure Monitor: Monitor the performance and health of your Azure resources. Use insights from Azure Monitor to optimise resource allocation and lower your costs.
  • Azure Resource Graph: A powerful query tool that provides visibility into your Azure resources. It helps you assess and manage your resources effectively, for better cost control.

Get greater ROI from your solution with a well-trained team

At Bespoke, we believe that cost optimisation in Microsoft Azure is not just about saving money—it’s about supercharging the return value of your cloud investment.

Cost optimisation is a core cloud competency, covered in a number of courses and learning pathways to ensure you’ve got the skills needed to effectively manage your cloud environments. It’s an essential skill to train your team on!

By training with us, you’ll gain a deep understanding of cost optimisation strategies. Our expert-led courses provide the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial efficiency, gain a competitive edge, and promote sustainable practices.

Take a look at our Fundamentals or Administrator courses to get started today, or get in touch to talk through the best option for you and your team.

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