Why Are So Many Businesses Choosing Microsoft’s Flagship Cloud Computing Platform Over the Competition?
As more and more businesses opt for the innovations of the cloud computing space over on-site systems, the demand for cloud service providers that can serve these businesses with the tools they need to progress is increasing. Two such cloud platforms that are widely popular are Azure and AWS (Amazon Web Services). Created by two of the world’s computing and consumer mega powers, Microsoft and Amazon, businesses everywhere are seeking to optimise their administrative and creative output by utilising such tools from a reputable cloud provider, while hosting their data in off-site data centres. But the question is, why are so many businesses opting for one over the other?
In this blog, we’ll examine the similarities between the Azure cloud platform and AWS cloud platform, and why Azure seems to be the cloud computing tool of choice for businesses the world over seeking the most comprehensive cloud services.
What are AWS and Azure?
Both Azure and AWS are cloud computing services that offer a plethora of digital tools that can be used in an array of ways to help companies of all kinds remain productive, profitable and able to adapt to changing markets and demands. With many of these tools utilising modern technological advancements, including AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning, to name but a few, both Azure and AWS services can help businesses automate previously tiresome tasks, while boosting digital efforts in virtually all aspects of the business.
While both services are very comprehensive and offer plenty of advantages in their own right, it’s safe to say Azure is leagues ahead in terms of global popularity. According to recent figures, AWS has a user base of somewhere between 1 million and 2 million users. Azure, on the other hand, boasted over 700 million users by December 2023, with the 1 billion user mark well within reach.
AWS vs Azure: Where Does Azure Come Out On Top?
Given its immense popularity over the competition, here are just a few reasons why many businesses would be more inclined to choose Microsoft’s offering, rather than Amazon’s:
A Greater Number of SaaS Services
One of the main benefits of utilising such cloud computing platforms as Azure and AWS is that businesses are not limited to taking out the entirety of the services catalogue upon subscription. Instead, they only need to onboard the services they intend to use, saving cash. However, when comparing the two directly, it’s clear Azure has more to offer on the SaaS front. If you’re unaware, SaaS stands for ‘Software as a Service’ and is used to describe services that can be accessed and used via a cloud connection, usually taken on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Given the sheer number of SaaS options available via Azure, including such useful services as Azure Site Recovery (a disaster recovery solution designed to prevent mass data loss and downtime) and Azure Visual Studio Online (for the development, testing and deployment of applications on Azure or external platforms), it’s understandable why Azure remains the go-to option. The volume of SaaS services available is also encouraging for businesses who may need to onboard newly developed services in the future, if the assumption is that Azure will be able to provide access to these first.
Easier ML Modelling
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have exploded in popularity in recent years thanks to fresh innovations in the technologies. As such, many businesses are seeking to develop their own machine learning models, to create tools they themselves can use to streamline and automate processes, or to offer other customers the chance to do the same.
Generally speaking, someone would need in-depth knowledge of coding to build such technologies and should be completely proficient in Python, which is the case when building ML-based programs on AWS. However, this is not the case with Azure. Azure’s ML Studio is designed with ultimate usability in mind, and can even be used by complete amateurs new to ML modelling with no experience whatsoever. Operating on a simple drag-and-drop structure, even novices with no knowledge of Python could build ML models from scratch, and it’s the ideal choice for those with a preference for easy-to-navigate visual elements as opposed to traditional coding.
Not only does this simplify a once complicated and potentially confusing process, but it also opens the doors for less experienced data analysts and beginners to create ML models, allowing companies to produce such entities at speed, without needing to wait for and rely on in-house coding experts.
Easier to Comprehend Logging and Monitoring
While both Azure and AWS offer businesses a plethora of options in developing and launching applications, specifically through machine learning tools, monitoring the success (or failure) of these applications post-launch is also a necessity, to ensure they’re delivering on their intended roles. Again, both Azure and AWS offer options to do this. However, it is our opinion that Azure presents the superior option of the two.
Azure ML Studio also leans on the visual element, as opposed to AWS SageMaker, which presents a more formal, clinical feel. This makes for a more pleasant interface and experience in tracking model behaviour and results. On top of this, Azure ML Studio can be used for automated logging, without the need to log each individual statement. In terms of simplicity and ease of use, once again, Azure takes the win here.
Wider User Base
It might not be the most obvious point, but the popularity of the Azure platform in itself is a distinct advantage over Amazon’s competition. As more people around the world are already using Azure, the chances are that any new starters in positions where using the role on a daily basis was a necessity would already be very familiar with it, while the chances of them previously using AWS are significantly lower. This means businesses can save time and boost productivity by using Azure instead of AWS, as there would be no time wasted having a new starter become more accustomed to using the platform. They could simply dive straight in and be useful and productive immediately.
More Precise Pricing
In the current economic climate, businesses are understandably seeking to cut costs where they can and make spending more efficient and cost-effective. We’ve already discussed how both Azure and AWS users only need to pay for the services they use to save cash, rather than taking out a boilerplate package, but Azure allows users to take things one step further in their cost-cutting efforts.
While AWS services can be taken out on a per-hour basis, cost-conscious enterprises can benefit from taking out their services on Azure on a per-minute basis. This offers a far more exact price point and allows businesses to save more money than the alternative in many instances. Azure users can also benefit from onboarding services on a short-term basis with prepaid or monthly payment options, contributing to even further savings.
Onboard Microsoft Azure and Embrace Azure Cloud Services with the Help of Netcentrix Experts
Overall, it’s difficult to say whether one platform is superior to the other, as it all depends on the precise services and tools a business is seeking to take advantage of from the cloud providers being discussed. Both AWS and Azure offer enticing benefits in the cloud computing market. However, for businesses that are already utilising other Microsoft services and are familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem – such as 365 – Azure will prove to be a welcome addition that helps to organise and streamline all services under one easy-to-manage cloud environment.
At Netcentrix, we have decades of combined experience in helping businesses onboard the latest technologies they need to boost productivity, foster innovation and, ultimately, raise profits. Plus, as an official Microsoft Partner, we’re trusted by the technology powerhouse to offer their products and services – and the relevant support – to customers, like you, who will reap the benefits.
When you choose Azure through Netcentrix, you’ll also be assigned a dedicated account manager whose job it will be to oversee the onboarding of the technology, as well as offer the technical assistance you need to make the most of the many available services right from the word go.
For more information on Microsoft Azure, including Azure virtual machines, cloud infrastructure and hybrid cloud solutions, reach out to a Netcentrix expert today.
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