Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users
OSCAR CAPARROS - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer at Fortinet
Real User
Top 20
Easy to implement and suitable for medium and enterprise businesses
Pros and Cons
  • "I like the ease of implementation."
  • "Azure's security and compliance tools are not enough."

What is our primary use case?

I integrate our technologies into Azure. I just deploy, do some tests and POC for Azure. A recent project leveraged Azure's analytics services, it was related to Security Hub and Azure B1.

I support customers with their Azure implementations to better understand Azure architecture and how to integrate our technologies.

What is most valuable?

I like the ease of implementation and development and how quickly everything is ready.

What needs improvement?

Azure's security and compliance tools are not enough, and that's why other technologies like Fortinet would be much more recommended than the native ones.

Security, for sure, is an area of improvement. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with it for three years now. 

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten. Our customers are medium and enterprise businesses. 

How was the initial setup?

I would rate my experience with the initial setup a ten out of ten, where one is difficult, and ten is easy.

It's cloud-based, both public and private.

The deployment can take a few days. I deploy it in the customer's premises, in their private or public cloud account.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I would rate the pricing a six out of ten,  where one is cheap, and ten is expensive. It's in line with other public cloud providers.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend it because it's easy to implement. But it always depends on the customer's needs. If their specific needs match with going towards the public cloud, then Azure would be one of my main recommendations.

Overall, I would rate it a nine out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
reviewer2104308 - PeerSpot reviewer
Lead PO, Consultant at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Covers all aspects of work and provides a single pane of glass view
Pros and Cons
  • "Microsoft Azure covers all aspects, and having a single pane of glass becomes easier."
  • "Microsoft Azure's design language is a little too basic."

What is our primary use case?

Our use cases for Microsoft Azure are financial-related.

What is most valuable?

Microsoft Azure covers all aspects, and having a single pane of glass becomes easier.

What needs improvement?

Microsoft Azure's design language is a little too basic. I would prefer Jira over Azure Boards. While Azure Boards offer quite a lot of customization possibilities, they also have their own limitations.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Azure for more than a year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure is a stable solution.

I rate the solution a nine out of ten for stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure is quite a scalable solution. More than 5,000 users are using the solution in our organization.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight to nine out of ten.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have previously worked with AWS and Jira.

How was the initial setup?

We didn’t face any challenges with the solution’s initial setup.

What about the implementation team?

The solution's deployment time takes less than hours. We continuously keep doing it. We have releases every week, and our pipeline keeps running. We update the product every week.

What other advice do I have?

One or two engineers are involved in the solution's maintenance. Microsoft Azure has positively affected our operational expenses and revenue growth, which is why we switched from Amazon to Microsoft Azure.

I would recommend Microsoft Azure to other users. I can use Azure Boards to do brainstorming. Microsoft Azure covers all aspects, and having a single pane of glass becomes easier.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight to nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Flag as inappropriate
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Shylaraj AK - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Architect at a construction company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Good monitoring features and technical support, but the dashboards need to be improved
Pros and Cons
  • "The monitoring features are very good."

    What is most valuable?

    The monitoring features are very good.

    What needs improvement?

    Some of the dashboard features can be improved.

    Some of the backup solutions for SAP are not compatible. For example, we have a Sybase database running, and Azure does not have an agent tool for connecting with it. This means that we have to use a third-party tool to properly backup our SAP Sybase system.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been using Microsoft Azure for between two and three years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Azure is a stable product.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    This is a scalable solution and we have been 200 and 300 people who use it.

    How are customer service and technical support?

    The technical support is really good.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We have not used another public cloud.

    What about the implementation team?

    We have an in-house team, and between 10 and 20 people maintain it.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The pricing model can be improved because we find that Azure pricing is a bit high.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    We are planning to migrate our SAP system to the cloud, so we have been looking at and comparing different cloud solutions. We are analyzing and comparing Google Cloud Platform, Amazon, and the IBM Cloud. After we compare them all we will make a decision.

    What other advice do I have?

    The suitability of this product depends on the customer's requirements and needs. AWS is stable and nice, the Google Cloud Platform is really improving a lot, and IBM Cloud is also available. The decision for which to use will be based on what kind of solutions you are deploying and how you want to integrate them. Ultimately, it is best to choose the provider that is most suitable for your existing workload. 

    Overall, this is a good solution but there are certainly features that need to be improved, as well as the pricing.

    I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Public Cloud

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Microsoft Azure
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Pankaj  Khera - PeerSpot reviewer
    Sr AVP - EXL Digital at EXL Services
    Real User
    Top 5
    Self-service platforms and adaptable
    Pros and Cons
    • "We find Azure particularly beneficial when working with clients who are heavily invested in Microsoft solutions. It necessitates that we also leverage Azure for our solutions and services."
    • "It can be cheaper, which might simplify things a bit."

    What is our primary use case?

    Azure is a cloud provider. We use Azure services for various purposes, including PowerApps for app development and Azure DevOps for software development and operations.

    How has it helped my organization?

    We find Azure particularly beneficial when working with clients who are heavily invested in Microsoft solutions. It necessitates that we also leverage Azure for our solutions and services.

    What is most valuable?

    Azure offers a variety of services rather than features per se. 

    The platform is quite self-service and adaptable.

    It is secure. 

    What needs improvement?

    It can be cheaper, which might simplify things a bit.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We've started using Azure for the past year, although we are primarily an AWS shop.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It is a stable product. I would rate the stability a ten out of ten. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Since it is on the cloud, it is a scalable solution. 

    We have a lot of end users using this solution. We use it on a daily basis. 

    Since all our solutions are hosted on Azure, usage will naturally increase as our operations expand and we onboard more users.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We were using AWS and had a requirement that led us to start using Azure. We utilize all of them based on specific needs.

    We use all three (Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and AWS). It's about the use case and the requirements that dictate which one we choose.

    How was the initial setup?

    I didn't handle the setup directly. Our IT team manages the provisioning of Azure services for us.

    From what I understand, it was not particularly complex.

    What about the implementation team?

    The implementation was handled by our IT team. We have a dedicated cloud team that provisions the services we request.

    What was our ROI?

    The return on investment largely depends on how and where you're using it.

    We've seen significant savings in infrastructure costs. That's a primary advantage of using the cloud – it's fully managed, and you pay as you go, which is highly beneficial.

    What other advice do I have?

    Overall, I would rate it an eight out of ten. 

    I would recommend Azure. When implementing cloud services, it's essential to consider the top three cloud providers today: Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and AWS. 

    Azure is stable and should be considered alongside these, depending on the use case.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Public Cloud

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Microsoft Azure
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Peter Ojo - PeerSpot reviewer
    IT infrastructure engineer at LBAN
    Real User
    Top 20
    A highly recommended cloud computing platform for businesses of all sizes that offers top-notch security, scalability, and cost-effectiveness
    Pros and Cons
    • "The platform's user-friendliness eliminates the need for lengthy training periods, enabling swift navigation for new users."
    • "Improvements are needed in Azure to enhance integration tools and support for effectively migrating and managing third-party dependencies."

    What is our primary use case?

    Azure is utilized to facilitate computing needs for our clients' sites. Most often, it's employed to enable them to host their products in the cloud, manage disaster recovery, conduct backups, and host applications. Additionally, for clients with on-premise infrastructure, Azure serves to replicate that setup in the cloud. We offer Azure-based solutions to fulfill these requirements and seamlessly provide access to them, typically through domain access, after setting up payment arrangements.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Azure integration became crucial for a business facing cost-saving challenges. They were burdened by the physical space and maintenance costs of on-premise infrastructure. Additionally, issues like electricity outages prompted them to consider migrating certain infrastructure components to the cloud. This move aimed to alleviate space constraints, reduce maintenance expenses, and enhance reliability, potentially enabling them to divest part of their infrastructure in the future.

    The scalability features of Azure had a significant impact on projects for our customers, particularly in one instance where a deal was lost due to scalability issues. This challenge doesn't necessarily stem from Azure itself but rather from the complexity of migrating third-party dependencies to the Azure environment. Often, the lack of proper documentation and understanding of how these dependencies were originally implemented poses obstacles.

    What is most valuable?

    Azure is highly valuable due to its cloud-based nature, which reduces the need for extensive hardware purchases and server maintenance costs. It serves as a quick and convenient solution for spinning up VMs, creating websites, and making businesses visible online. The platform's user-friendliness eliminates the need for lengthy training periods, enabling swift navigation for new users. Companies can easily onboard new personnel by providing them with relevant documents, allowing them to quickly grasp how to manage resources and create necessary components on Azure.

    Azure Arc is incredibly valuable because it allows businesses to connect and secure their resources, regardless of where they are hosted. This means that even if they are using other cloud platforms like AWS or have on-premise infrastructure, they can still benefit from Azure's features. With Azure Arc, businesses can have centralized management and security across their entire environment, including legacy systems and other cloud providers. While Azure Arc may come with a higher cost, its ability to bridge different platforms and provide enhanced security makes it a compelling option for businesses looking to leverage Azure services without fully migrating their infrastructure.

    What needs improvement?

    Improvements are needed in Azure to enhance integration tools and support for effectively migrating and managing third-party dependencies. Additionally, there is a significant issue with payment restrictions on Azure, particularly for users in regions with limitations in their local economies. Integrating third-party payment services could alleviate this problem, allowing users from various international locations, such as China, Europe, and Africa, to make payments more seamlessly. By providing alternative payment methods beyond the reliance on US debit cards, Microsoft could greatly improve the usability and accessibility of Azure for users worldwide. There's room for improvement in integrating the Azure Marketplace with the Azure portal. It would be beneficial if users could directly communicate with solution owners or developers through the portal. For instance, if a user encounters challenges while using a particular solution from the marketplace, they could easily send an email, initiate a phone call, or even send an SMS to the solution owner or developer for assistance. This direct communication channel would streamline the troubleshooting process and foster better collaboration between users and solution providers, enhancing the overall user experience.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with it for a year.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    Azure is highly stable, with only one instance of downtime experienced on a specific website and two occurrences in approximately nine months. Overall, it maintains a commendable level of stability, especially when availability zones are utilized. These zones provide critical redundancy, ensuring resilience against unforeseen events and offering a heightened level of reliability.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    Azure's scalability is evident when building and adhering to the appropriate architectural principles. Challenges with scaling typically arise when existing platforms or third-party components are involved, making it difficult to align them for efficient scaling. However, Azure Arc aims to address this issue, though it may incur additional costs, especially at larger scales. While some customers may opt for traditional VM provisioning on Azure due to cost considerations, Azure Arc offers an alternative approach for scalability.

    How are customer service and support?

    The technical support provided is exceptional, and I am extremely satisfied with it. I would rate it nine out of ten.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Positive

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is straightforward.

    What about the implementation team?

    The documentation provided by Azure for deployment processes to our customers is excellent. Typically, the process begins with signing NDAs followed by a call with the customer's team to understand their requirements. Once the requirements are clear, we review the architecture and assess the feasibility of replicating it on Azure, especially if migration is involved. Subsequently, we create a scope of work detailing the proposed actions and timelines, which the customer must sign off on. Upon agreement, we set a kickoff date and discussed requirements from the customer's end, such as authorization and authentication. During the project kickoff, we ensure someone is available on the customer's side to prevent breaches or delays. We then proceed with the deployment, moving necessary components and configurations. After completion, we conduct testing and allow the customer time to review the deployment, typically two to three weeks. Upon receiving approval, we finalize the project and obtain payment, usually within a timeframe of five days to two weeks, depending on the project's complexity

    Azure's simplicity streamlines deployment, often requiring only five to six resources for larger projects. The specific roles may vary based on the project's needs, encompassing expertise in security, architecture, design, and product management.

    In most cases, we inform the customer that we're available round-the-clock for feedback during the initial three months post-deployment. This ensures prompt resolution of any issues beyond their capability. If needed, we offer training for their team members. Additionally, customers have the option to enter into a support contract with us for ongoing assistance. Smaller projects may not necessitate ongoing management, depending on their setup.

    What was our ROI?

    Our customers often report a positive return on investment with Azure, as it helps them save costs. Whether they were previously on traditional infrastructure or on-premises setups, Azure proves to be beneficial, making it a worthwhile investment for them.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The pricing is relatively high.

    What other advice do I have?

    I highly recommend Azure, as I use it myself. My advice would be for them to seriously consider it, especially when taking their budget into account. Overall, I would rate it eight out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Public Cloud

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Microsoft Azure
    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
    PeerSpot user
    Anand-Shah - PeerSpot reviewer
    Software Architect at Iskraemeco
    Real User
    Top 5Leaderboard
    Provides efficient features for cloud computing needs, but the technical support services need improvement
    Pros and Cons
    • "Data analytics is one of the efficient features as well."
    • "While integrating services from different vendors, the perceived costs are high, with occasional confusion about specific charges, especially in data transfer scenarios between regions."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use the product to stream data from devices to the system, transform data, and configure web apps using SaaS services.

    What needs improvement?

    One significant area for improvement in Microsoft Azure is the cost associated with its services. While integrating services from different vendors, the perceived costs are high, with occasional confusion about specific charges, especially in data transfer scenarios between regions. This cost factor poses a barrier for small companies, and they could simplify the process and reevaluate pricing structures.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    We have been using Microsoft Azure for seven years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The platform is stable. I rate the stability an eight out of ten.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I have worked with around 5000 Microsoft Azure users in our previous company. It is highly scalable.

    In the IaaS approach, setting up virtual machines (VMs) allows for scalability adjustments based on memory and CPU consumption. Similarly, for applications developed with Azure RPA (Robotic Process Automation) or Azure Logic Apps, scalability can be efficiently managed by configuring the app service plan.

    I rate the scalability a nine out of ten.

    How are customer service and support?

    The experience with Microsoft's customer support has been middling, neither exceptionally good nor bad. The support team takes time to respond. It is a lengthy process and could be improved.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Neutral

    How was the initial setup?

    The complexity of implementation depends on the different setups. We can utilize the portal, CLI, or alternative providers like Terraform. The deployment process in Azure varies based on the specific build requirements and the nature of the application being deployed, whether it's through GitHub or directly in Azure. The time taken for deployment in Azure varies greatly depending on factors such as the complexity of the application, the number of integrated applications, the volume of code, and the artifacts involved.

    What was our ROI?

    The product generates a return on investment in terms of time savings on setup, installation, and scalability. It also depends on the specific consumption patterns and the extent to which Azure services are utilized for our compute and networking needs.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The product is expensive, particularly with services such as Microsoft SQL Server incurring significant costs. It could be more competitive in terms of pricing.

    What other advice do I have?

    Azure supports the development and hosting of various applications, including those built with ASP.NET. We have developed an application using ASP.NET versions 4, 6, and 7, and then deployed it to Azure for hosting. Data analytics is one of the efficient features as well.

    The features I find most useful for cloud computing needs, particularly for fax services, include Azure RPA (Robotic Process Automation), Azure Logic App, and Azure Service Bus.

    We can easily integrate the product with MS SQL Server and Azure SQL Database as a service. Further, we can utilize event apps within the IT infrastructure.

    I have experienced significant benefits from Azure's security and compliance tools, particularly in the area of identity management. Working with Microsoft Identity, including Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), has proven valuable for operations involving customer-to-customer (CTC), business-to-customer (BTC), and business-to-business (B2B) scenarios. The customization capabilities help us with the registration of applications under Azure Active Directory, enabling robust authentication and authorization mechanisms.

    I recommend the product for small companies or startups. It is also a good option for established companies planning to reach beyond certain limitations in terms of business.

    I rate it a seven out of ten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    AtulChaurasia - PeerSpot reviewer
    Operational Technical Security at Metro Bank
    Real User
    Top 5
    A scalable and easy-to-deploy solution that gives a good return on investment
    Pros and Cons
    • "The tool’s stability is good."
    • "The product is not user-friendly."

    What is our primary use case?

    We primarily use email accounts and SharePoint. We want to use AI and OCR services, but we don’t have many use cases.

    What is most valuable?

    It is a good solution. I can get all the tools under one roof.

    What needs improvement?

    There's a complexity involved in getting the subscriptions provisioned. There are too many complications. Without IT knowledge, we cannot subscribe and work. The product is not user-friendly. All the services must be available in one place so that I can get the services that I need at the right time.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using the solution for one year.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The tool’s stability is good.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The product is scalable. Around 30 people use the solution in our organization. We are trying to get projects from Europe and North America. Once it is done, we'll be scaling up.

    How was the initial setup?

    The setup is straightforward and easy. Since I know about infrastructure and IT, it took me around one week to set it up. Non-IT people might struggle with the setup.

    What was our ROI?

    The return on investment is good. Since everything is in the cloud, we save a lot on infrastructure and server costs. It is very helpful to the client, and it is very useful for us.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    I pay for a yearly subscription. Compared to other service providers, the product’s pricing is normal.

    Which other solutions did I evaluate?

    I evaluated other options, but I chose Microsoft because it is a little bit easier. We can get it right away.

    What other advice do I have?

    We are into data management. We deal with data consumption and data validation. So, we must use many virtual and storage solutions to process the data. We use the clients’ solution. I am into IT. I have a bit of knowledge of the infrastructure. If we need to scale up, we might need some training. I would recommend the solution to others. Overall, I rate the product a nine out of ten.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Joydeep Dey - PeerSpot reviewer
    System Administrator at Sensorise Digital Services Private Limited
    Real User
    Top 20
    Easy management, same control panel and user-friendly
    Pros and Cons
    • "The platform as a service for MySQL and PostgreSQL have significantly improved our operational efficiency."
    • "I would like to see improvement in the technical support. Sometimes it takes a long time."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use it for virtual machines, database services, load balancers, and firewall services.

    How has it helped my organization?

    The platform as a service for MySQL and PostgreSQL have significantly improved our operational efficiency. The performance is very good, and it has improved our business performance a lot.

    Azure Security and Compliance features:

    Azure offers built-in security called Microsoft Defender. This is a paid version that provides posture management for the servers. If there is any setting that needs to be changed or any problem with any network setting that could lead to a disaster, it shows us on the platform that the posture is not correct, and we fix it accordingly. It provides proactive overall management and monitors the entire infrastructure.

    AI initiatives:

    AI initiatives have been introduced, but we haven't tested it, so we cannot comment on that.

    What is most valuable?

    Everything is in the same control panel, and the management is very easy. If there's a new feature, it takes less time to understand the working procedure on the platform. So, it's user-friendly.

    What needs improvement?

    I would like to see improvement in the technical support. Sometimes it takes a long time. Only sometimes, not every time. It gets delayed. The response time should be faster.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using it for six years. 

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It is a very stable product. We haven't faced any issues with it, and it's been about five or six years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I find it scalable. Whenever there is a large requirement to increase resources, we can increase them on the fly and decrease them when it's not necessary. It's very easy, and it takes very little time to scale up deployments.

    How are customer service and support?

    Sometimes there are some problems that need to be taken care of by the Microsoft technical support team. We raise tickets for these cases, which are not solvable by email support. They call us back and resolve the problem.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Neutral

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    Previously, we used in-house servers. We moved to Azure. As for other solutions, no. There was no other solution. Everything was in-house. We had physical servers, and then we moved to cloud services.

    How was the initial setup?

    I did not have any challenges or complexities with the initial setup process.

    There's a vast knowledge base available. So, there were no challenges. If there's a new deployment, the tutorial is already there. You just have to follow it.

    It took a couple of days to complete the migrations.

    Maintenance happens at the machine level, not the platform level. There's no maintenance requirement at the platform level.

    The initial deployment consisted of about twenty-five virtual machines and five to six services.

    What about the implementation team?

    We did it in-house.

    What was our ROI?

    It has impacted cost savings or business productivity overall. We can easily scale up and scale down the services as per the requirement. 

    During some months, the requirement is high. During that time, we scale up the service and scale it down when not necessary. So, it saves a lot of cost for us. The resource cost is not fixed here, and we can scale up and scale down as per the requirement. When we scale it down, the cost gets reduced by a lot.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The pricing is fine. Whenever you deploy a new service or virtual machine, they provide a calculator service that can upfront calculate the tentative cost for the service or resource, monthly or annually. On top of that, the third party through which we have taken the services adds some more discounts.

    What other advice do I have?

    The recommendation would be to first go through the tutorials, or you have to know the requirement first. As for that, you need to go through the tutorials provided by Microsoft, and then you are good to go.

    Overall, I would rate it an eight out of ten because there's always room for improvement.

    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    Flag as inappropriate
    PeerSpot user
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Azure Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
    Updated: December 2024
    Buyer's Guide
    Download our free Microsoft Azure Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.