Hybrid Cloud options: Azure vs AWS

Microsoft Azure has been gaining leaps and bounds on its competitor AWS over the past few years, and in one area in particular: in providing the option of Hybrid Cloud.

Why choose Hybrid Cloud?

If your business is not yet ready or willing to commit to an all-Cloud platform, hybrid Cloud options can provide a more flexible and agile system without having to consider a full-blown migration.  Microsoft Azure’s superior hybrid Cloud options allow users to keep their preferred data on-premise whilst making the most of Cloud technology for their other applications.

Cloud platforms are largely considered to be more flexible when it comes to business processes than on-prem environments.  However, many organisations shy away from allowing a Cloud provider control over their most sensitive data, and so miss out on the level of innovation accessed by Cloud users.  Through a hybrid cloud solution you can experience the best of both worlds: the speed of cloud innovation AND the comfort of on-premises management.

So you’re sold on hybrid Cloud – why Azure rather than AWS?

Azure Stack

Azure Stack, Microsoft’s hybrid program, is an extension of Azure dedicated to bringing the agility and fast-paced innovation of cloud computing to on-premises environments.  It was ahead of the curve on its unveiling and despite AWS’ announcement that Outposts will be available by the end of 2019, Microsoft have had time to work out the kinks.  For the foreseeable future, Azure will remain ahead of the game.

What’s more, Azure’s integration services are always growing and evolving: utilising these services, such as Machine Learning, Cognitive services, and Data Lake Analytics, can take you beyond integration and deliver actionable intelligence.  Constant, monitoring, trialling, and improving.

Customer perks – SQL Server End of Support

Customers dealing with SQL Server 2008’s upcoming End of Support, set for 9^th July 2019, can also appreciate Azure’s superior hybrid capabilities, as they have the option to use existing licenses and save up to 55 % with Azure Hybrid Benefit.

Perks based around SQL Server 2008’s EoS are also offered to customers who use both Microsoft databases and Azure: extended support for SQL Server 2008 is currently being offered for an extra 3 years and at no extra cost to users who migrate from AWS to Azure VM.  Click here for more information on SQL Server support and migrating from AWS to Azure.

Microsoft Azure hosts a set of fully cohesive PaaS and SaaS products

This last point is the clincher for me: the strength of Microsoft’s PaaS offerings (think MySQL and Windows Azure) is second to none when combined with a SaaS product that is familiar in offices across the globe (Office 365).  For a hybrid migration your cloud and on-prem environments need to work together seamlessly, and Microsoft’s products are far better equipped to do so than AWS’s PaaS and SaaS products.

Microsoft’s hybrid cloud platform itself, Azure Stack, presents another compelling argument.  It is designed to support the business requirements of its clients as they evolve over time.  The hybrid platform can meet specific security and compliance requirements and enable new scenarios for your modern applications, such as edge and disconnected environments.  It’s even offered in two deployment options to allow for greater flexibility, and to contribute to a smooth infrastructure transition during a migration.  To put it simply, “Azure Stack is an extension of Azure, bringing the agility and fast-paced innovation of cloud computing to on-premises environments.”

In short, if you’re looking for security AND flexibility speak to DSP-Explorer’s consultants about a hybrid cloud option – and when you do, stick with Azure to gain the best of both worlds.