Microsoft is used in over 150 countries, and with Windows running on over 1.6 billion devices, with over 350 million people using Microsoft Office, in particular, you will likely be using Microsoft solutions in your organisation.
What you may not have done is checked to see the extent to which you are optimising your use of specific applications, or evaluated the song-term sustainability of your current information systems architecture.
The future of Microsoft is cloud.
Microsoft today offers cloud computing solutions on the back of the Azure Services Platform. Microsoft Azure provides seamless integration of Microsoft "Software as a Service" (SaaS) and "on-demand" applications, as well as other, third-party applications.
Azure's virtual machine (VM) solution drastically reduces capital outlay on hardware, greatly enhances system security and guarantees 99.99% uptime, eliminating the need for expensive backup solutions.
The seamless development, customisation and deployment environment ensures that Azure provides ensures that your business is effectively virtualised through a combination of Microsoft and non-Microsoft applications - all accessible on a wide range of desktop, tablet and mobile devices.
We provide clients strategic, technical and project management assistance in the deployment of Microsoft cloud computing solutions. This may start with more elementary solutions such as the deployment of Microsoft 365 or the implementation of the Microsoft Dynamics ERP.
Some clients may want to take the leap from their a LAN-supported Microsoft Exchange network to a virtual network, on which they will continue to run the applications they have been running, or at this time, also migrate to other Microsoft and non-Microsoft SaaS solutions.
Majority of businesses will find their data, management and information systems requirements adequately met by standard Microsoft solutions and so the need for customisation is seldom, though not completely eliminated.
Implementation of Microsoft cloud computing solutions is NOT an IT project. It is an enterprise-wide change management project and our many years of advisory experience in a wide rage of industries give us a unique advantage when it comes supporting different kinds of clients in their migration.
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Our approach to implementation business support systems projects goes through six stages divided into TWO phases as detailed below. This is a much summarised implementation flow that does not include several supporting activities within each stage otherwise detailed in the complete project management plan for each deployment.
Phase 1
Stage 1: Business process review
This is the first and most critical phase. It entails the comprehensive review and documentation of your organisation's manual and electronic business process, "as is", its respective objectives at each stage, and the extent to which the current set up is meeting the business' core performance objectives.
This is followed by detailed documentation of the business' aspirational business process design and its desired outputs, which is what all subsequent stages set to achieve.
This stage is a non-technical, consultative, stage in which it is necessary that as many of the orgsnisation's members as possible participate.
Phase 2
Stage 2: ROI Analysis
To effectively rationalise the cloud project, detailed analysis of time, direct cost, lost opportunity, material expense , leakage and other losses is obtained and computed as accurately as possible.
This provides a baseline from which the business will be implementing the proposed solution, and specifically isolates areas of priority, and other aspects of the business that the proposed solution will need to address.
This baseline also provides the basis for an objectively determined return on investment (ROI) that the business will need to demonstrate over an agreed period f time.
Stage 3: First deployment
In this third phase, we set up the proprietary instance of the chosen Microsoft Cloud computing solution. This specifically includes obtaining the start-up user licenses; set up of billing preferences; set up of user users and user groups, user sign-in and security properties; set up and integration of email, text, voice and other communication preferences; set up of filing and document storage preferences and enterprise-wide customisation of the deployment.
All this is guided by the aspirational business process design and its desired outputs as obtained in Stage 1.
Stage 4: Migration
Stage 3 also comes with user training on the system and the gradual transfer or work activity to the new work environment.
This "Migration" stage dedicatedly focuses on migration of the existing infrastructure to the new environment, migration of data, documents and other business information, and testing of the new environment's enforced policies.
This stage also comes with the digitisation of manual processes, consolidation of processes and the dropping of processes whose objectives are otherwise achieved within the proposed solution's deployment.
Stage 5: Go live
This is a milestone stage and marks and end to use of the organisation's former (manual and electronic) infrastructure and busienss process.
It is seldom ever the case that every aspect of the enterprise will have been migrated by the time the system is commissioned to "Go Live"; all priority areas will. nonetheless, have been migrated. Other areas may have been migrated to varying degrees, and others still under testing to see the extent to which the business' requirements are met by what will have been deployed so far.
Stage 6: Second deployment
Three months into "Go Live" a second deployment phase is entered, in which a review of how well the deployed solution is serving the business is done. New needs are also evaluated at this stage as they might have emerged from the increasing familiarity with the new environment and its capabilities.
It is this stage that yields to the maintenance and support contract, within which deployment beyond the initial scope and further customisation of the emerging environment is most ideally done.
Different organisations will have different objectives for their cloud computing and virtualisation project. The real benefits that Microsoft cloud computing delivers, however, rest on the capabilities that the new environment presents, and the opportunities that these subsequently opens up the organisation to. This is some of what Microsoft Cloud computing makes possible .
Set up of virtual user desktops running Windows 11 or Windows 10 with seamless resource scalability without the need for costly gateway servers
Provide individual ownership of virtual machines through personal (persistent) desktops
Enterprise use of Microsoft 365 applications and other, third-party applications, in multi-user virtual scenarios
Continued use of your existing Remote Desktop Services (RDS) and Windows Server desktops and apps on local hardware
Centralised, virtual management of users, user groups, application access, virtual machines and local desktops
Automatically increase or decrease resource capacity based on time of day, specific days of the week, or as demand changes, which helps to manage cost.
Focus on core business, without the need for diversionary management of ICT hardware and infrastructure
Connect to your workspace on any device through a native application on a local device or through the Azure Virtual Desktop HTML5 web client.
Simple and cost-effective end-to-end backup and disaster recovery solution that can be integrated with on-premises data protection solutions.
- Easy integration with most common work, productivity and communication tools.
Azure has a detailed, but flexible and scalable pricing structure.
Please obtain a pricing estimate tailored to your needs here
Microsoft 365 (formerly known as Office
365) is a cloud-based suite of productivity tools developed and offered by
Microsoft. It includes a range of applications, such as Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, SharePoint, Teams, and more. Microsoft 365
provides users with access to these tools from any device with an internet
connection, allowing for collaboration and document sharing in real-time. The
suite also includes features such as email hosting, online storage with
OneDrive, and video conferencing with Teams. Users can choose from a variety of
plans to fit their needs, including personal, business, and enterprise plans.
The minimum number of licenses for Microsoft 365 depends on the specific plan you choose.
For example, the Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan requires a minimum purchase of 1 license, while the Microsoft 365 Business Standard and Microsoft 365 Business Premium plans require a minimum purchase of 1 license for the annual commitment and 5 licenses for the monthly commitment.
For enterprise plans, the minimum number of licenses varies depending on the plan and the agreement type. For example, the Microsoft 365 E3 plan requires a minimum purchase of 300 licenses for the Enterprise Agreement (EA) and 1 license for the Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) agreement.
It's important to note that Microsoft 365 licenses are typically sold on a subscription basis, with monthly or annual payments required to maintain access to the software and services.
Yes, you typically need to purchase licenses for third-party users to access Microsoft 365 services. A third-party user is someone who is not an employee, contractor, or on-site agent of your organization but still needs to use Microsoft 365 services such as email, collaboration tools, or other productivity applications.
There are several licensing options available for third-party users, such as the Microsoft 365 F1 or Microsoft 365 E3 External User licenses. These licenses are specifically designed for external users and offer access to specific Microsoft 365 services at a reduced cost compared to full-featured licenses.
Notwithstanding, you may be able to offer unlicensed third-party users limited access to your instance of Microsoft 365, and the licensing requirements also change for third-party users to your instance, that are themselves independently licensed,
Licensing requirements, therefore, vary depending on the specific Microsoft 365 plan and the licensing agreement in place with Microsoft and it is always a good idea to consult with a licensing specialist or Microsoft representative to ensure you have the appropriate licenses for all users who need access to Microsoft 365 services.
Azure is a cloud computing platform and services offered by Microsoft. It provides a wide range of tools and services for building, deploying, and managing applications and services through Microsoft-managed data centers.
Azure offers a variety of services and features, including virtual machines, storage options, data management, networking, app services, analytics, and more. With Azure, users can easily scale up or down their computing resources as needed and only pay for what they use.
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Yes, you may need to pay for licenses for third-party users who access resources in your Azure environment. The specific licensing requirements will depend on the services and features used by the third-party users, as well as the licensing agreements in place between your organization and Microsoft.
For example, if you are using Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to manage identity and access for your users, you may need to purchase Azure AD External Identities licenses to provide access to third-party users who are not part of your organization. These licenses allow external users to sign in to your applications and access Azure resources, such as virtual machines or storage accounts.
Similarly, if you are using Azure services to host or provide access to applications or data for third-party users, you may need to purchase appropriate licenses for those users based on their usage and needs.
It's important to review the licensing
requirements and agreements for each Azure service or feature you use to ensure
that you have the appropriate licenses in place for all users, including
third-party users.
Azure and Microsoft 365 are both cloud-based services offered by Microsoft, but they serve different purposes.
Azure is a cloud computing platform that provides infrastructure and services for building, deploying, and managing applications and services in the cloud. It offers a range of services, such as virtual machines, storage options, databases, analytics, and more, that can be used to build and run applications, host websites, manage data, and more. Azure is primarily aimed at developers and IT professionals who need to build and manage cloud-based solutions.
On the other hand, Microsoft 365 is a cloud-based suite of productivity tools designed to help businesses and individuals work more efficiently. It includes popular applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as communication and collaboration tools like Teams and SharePoint. Microsoft 365 is primarily aimed at individuals and organizations who need to create and share documents, collaborate on projects, and communicate with team members.
In summary, while Azure provides the
infrastructure and services to build and deploy cloud-based applications and
services, Microsoft 365 provides the productivity and collaboration tools
needed to work more efficiently in a cloud-based environment.
Yes, you generally need to pay separate licenses for Microsoft 365 and for Azure. Microsoft 365 licenses are used to access the suite of productivity tools offered by Microsoft, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams, while Azure licenses are used to access the infrastructure and services offered by the Azure cloud computing platform.
The licensing models for Microsoft 365 and Azure differ, and the pricing for each service is based on different factors. Microsoft 365 licenses are typically sold on a subscription basis, with pricing based on the number of users and the specific plan chosen, while Azure licenses are sold on a consumption-based model, with pricing based on the amount of resources used, such as storage, compute power, and data transfer.
It's important to note that licensing requirements and pricing may vary depending on the specific plans and services chosen, as well as the licensing agreement in place with Microsoft. It's always a good idea to consult with a licensing specialist or Microsoft representative to ensure you have the appropriate licenses for your organization's needs.
The time it takes to deploy Microsoft 365 can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the organization, the number of users, the complexity of the deployment, and the level of customization needed.
For small to medium-sized organizations with a simple deployment, it can take a few hours to a few days to complete the deployment. However, for larger organizations with complex IT environments and custom requirements, the deployment can take several weeks or even months.
The deployment process for Microsoft 365 typically involves several steps, including planning and preparation, configuration and customization, data migration, user training, and testing. Each of these steps can take time to complete, and the overall deployment timeline can be affected by factors such as the availability of IT resources, the complexity of the existing IT environment, and the level of user involvement in the deployment process.
How well the deployment is planned, particularly with respect to clarity of requirements, is also a critical determinant of how long the deployment will take.
The time it takes to deploy Microsoft Azure can vary depending on several factors, such as the size and complexity of the infrastructure, the number of resources being provisioned, and the level of customization needed.
For a simple deployment of a few resources, it can take as little as a few minutes to provision the resources and make them available for use. However, for larger and more complex deployments, the deployment can take several hours or even days to complete.
The deployment process for Microsoft Azure typically involves several steps, including selecting and configuring the appropriate resources, setting up security and networking, provisioning the resources, and testing to ensure they are working as expected.
Like with Microsoft 365, or any technology for that matter, how well the deployment is planned, particularly with respect to clarity of requirements, is a critical determinant of how long the deployment will take. A good deployment plan will also a smooth transition and minimize disruptions to business operations. Additionally, automated deployment tools such as Azure Resource Manager templates or third-party tools like Terraform or Ansible can be used to streamline the deployment process and reduce deployment time.
Azure servers and data centers are maintained in various locations around the world, known as Azure regions. Microsoft had over 60 Azure regions globally, spread across multiple continents. Some of the regions are in the United States, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, with plans for additional regions to be added in the future.
Each Azure region consists of one or more data centers, which are interconnected and designed to provide high availability and redundancy for the services and applications running on the Azure platform. The data centers are equipped with advanced security and compliance features to protect customer data and ensure regulatory compliance.
Customers can choose where to host and deploy their resources.
Both Microsoft 365 and Azure have been in use for several years.
Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365, was first released in June 2011.
Azure, on the other hand, was first announced in October 2008 and was officially launched in February 2010.
Both Microsoft 365 and Azure have undergone significant changes and updates since their initial release, with new features and capabilities added regularly. Microsoft continues to invest heavily in both services.
Azure is designed to be a secure cloud computing platform, with a wide range of security measures and controls to protect customer data and applications. Below are some of the security features and practices in place with Azure:
Compliance: Azure adheres to various compliance standards and regulations, such as ISO 27001, SOC 1 and SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR, among others. These standards provide a framework for ensuring security, privacy, and regulatory compliance for customer data.
Encryption: Azure uses encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest. Data is encrypted using industry-standard protocols, and keys are managed and protected by Azure Key Vault, which provides secure key management and storage.
Access control: Azure has several access control mechanisms, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) to manage user access and permissions.
Monitoring and logging: Azure provides detailed monitoring and logging capabilities to track user activity, resource usage, and security events. This information can be used to detect and respond to security incidents.
Physical security: Azure data centers are physically secured with multiple layers of security, including access controls, video surveillance, and security personnel.
Despite these security measures, it's important to note that no system is completely immune to security threats. Customers also have a responsibility to ensure that their applications and data are secured and compliant with applicable regulations and standards. It's recommended to follow security best practices and work with a trusted cloud provider to ensure a secure and compliant environment.
Azure is used by a wide range of organizations, including small businesses, startups, government agencies, and large enterprises. Some of the industries and sectors that use Azure include:
Healthcare: Healthcare organizations use Azure to store and manage patient data securely, enable remote access to patient records, and develop and deploy healthcare applications.
Financial services: Financial institutions use Azure to manage and secure sensitive financial data, develop and deploy financial applications, and comply with regulatory requirements.
Retail and e-commerce: Retailers and e-commerce companies use Azure to build and manage their online storefronts, process transactions securely, and analyze customer data to improve sales and customer experience.
Manufacturing: Manufacturers use Azure to improve supply chain management, optimize production processes, and develop and deploy IoT solutions.
Education: Educational institutions use Azure to provide remote learning and collaboration tools, manage student data securely, and develop and deploy educational applications.
These are just a few examples of the industries
and sectors that use Azure. Azure is a flexible and scalable platform that can
be used for a wide range of purposes, and it's continually evolving to meet the
needs of its users. Even the smallest business can use Azure, and scale up its deployment as it grows.
No, Azure does not only support Microsoft applications and services. Azure is an open and flexible cloud computing platform that supports a wide range of operating systems, programming languages, tools, and frameworks.
Azure supports various programming languages, including Java, Python, Ruby, Node.js, and .NET, among others. This means that developers can build and deploy applications using their preferred programming language and tools.
Azure also supports open-source technologies such as Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, and Apache Hadoop, among others. This allows customers to run their existing applications and services in the cloud or build new applications using open-source technologies.
In addition to supporting non-Microsoft technologies, Azure also integrates with various third-party applications and services, such as Salesforce, Oracle, and SAP, among others. This enables customers to use Azure as a platform to build, deploy, and manage their applications and services regardless of the technology stack they use.
Determining if Azure is well-suited for your business depends on your specific needs and requirements. However, Azure is a flexible and scalable cloud computing platform that can be tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes and industries.
Here are some factors to consider when evaluating whether Azure is well-suited for your business:
Scalability: Azure allows you to quickly scale up or down based on your business needs. This means you can easily add or remove resources as needed to meet changes in demand or workload.
Security: Azure provides a range of security features and controls to protect customer data and applications, including compliance with various regulations and standards.
Cost: Azure provides a range of pricing options, including pay-as-you-go and reserved instance pricing, to help you optimize your costs and manage your budget.
Integration: Azure integrates with a wide range of third-party applications and services, making it easy to connect with other systems and tools you may already be using.
Support: Azure provides a range of support options, including a wide network of local Azure partners, online documentation, user forums, and direct support from Microsoft, to help you get the most out of the platform.
Overall, if you are looking for a flexible,
scalable, and secure cloud computing platform that can support a wide range of
applications and services, Azure may be a good fit for your business.
Yes, both Microsoft 365 and Azure are supported locally. Microsoft has a wide network of partners and service providers that can help you with local support and services related to both Microsoft 365 and Azure. These partners can help you with deployment, migration, support, and ongoing management of your Microsoft 365 and Azure environments.
Azure is one of the leading cloud computing platforms and has a range of features and capabilities that set it apart from other cloud solutions. Here are some important ways that Azure compares to other cloud solutions:
Integration: Azure provides a high level of integration with other Microsoft services, such as Office 365 and Dynamics 365. This makes it easy to build and deploy applications that integrate with these services.
Hybrid Capabilities: Azure provides strong hybrid capabilities, allowing customers to seamlessly integrate their on-premises datacenters with the Azure cloud. This allows customers to leverage the benefits of the cloud while still maintaining control over their on-premises resources.
Open Source Support: Azure has strong support for open-source technologies, including Linux, Java, and other open-source programming languages, platforms, and tools.
AI and Machine Learning: Azure has a range of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities built into the platform, making it easy to build and deploy intelligent applications.
Global Network: Azure has a global network of data centers, providing customers with the ability to deploy their applications and services in the regions that are closest to their users.
Security and Compliance: Azure has strong security and compliance features, including compliance with various regulatory standards, such as HIPAA and PCI DSS.
Overall, Azure offers a range of features and
capabilities that set it apart from other cloud solutions. However, the best cloud solution for your
business will depend on your specific needs and requirements. A comprehensive assessment of your
requirements, and the available cloud solutions will lead you to the ideal
solution. It is not a good idea to
compromise this preliminary needs assessment stage.
Yes, Microsoft offers a free trial of Azure that allows you to try out the platform before committing to a paid subscription. The free trial provides USD 200 in credit to use over 30 days, giving you the opportunity to explore and experiment with Azure's capabilities.
To get started with the free trial, you'll need to create a Microsoft account and provide a valid credit card for verification purposes. Once you've signed up, you can access the Azure portal and start creating resources such as virtual machines, storage accounts, and databases.
Keep in mind that while the free trial provides
a good opportunity to explore Azure's capabilities, it does have some
limitations. For example, some services may not be available during the trial
period, and there are limits on the number of resources you can create
Yes, Azure recommends that customers maintain anti-virus, firewall, and other protection measures to help secure their Azure resources and data. While Azure provides some built-in security features and services, such as network security groups, Azure Security Center, and Azure Firewall, these are not a substitute for proper security measures at the customer's end.
It's important to remember that cloud security is a shared responsibility between the cloud provider and the customer. Azure is responsible for securing the underlying infrastructure and platform, while customers are responsible for securing their own applications, data, and operating systems that run on Azure.
Therefore, it's recommended that customers implement industry-standard security practices, such as using anti-virus and anti-malware software, configuring firewalls, and applying security updates and patches to their operating systems and applications to help protect their Azure resources and data.
No, Azure is not available offline.
While you can download some of the Azure tools and software development kits (SDKs) for use on your local machine, they still require an internet connection to connect to the Azure cloud services. You therefore need an internet connection to access Azure services and resources.
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