Azure is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure created by Microsoft for building, deploying, and managing applications and services through a global network of Microsoft-managed data centers
The cloud is a general term used to describe resources such as computing and storage that are provided as services managed by the cloud provider. Nowadays cloud providers offer a wide variety of services: Databases, Orchestration tools, Messaging queues, etc.
Managing a physical data center and its resources takes time and effort, and its resulting resources fall short of the offerings of the various Cloud providers.
There are cases where managing physical infrastructure is unavoidable, for example, due to security concerns or even budget limitations on infrastructure.
However, the wide variety of high-quality services the cloud providers offer, the integrations between them, and their ease-of-use, all make it a great choice for building software on top of it.
Cloud resources management using Azure is highly recommended, as it holds many advantages, such as:
- Scalability and flexibility through on-demand access to a wide range of computing resources and services
- Reliability and security through a global network of highly secure data centers and compliance with industry-standard certifications
- Integration with other Microsoft technologies and tools, including Windows, Office, and Visual Studio
- Efficient and cost-effective management of resources through automated deployment, monitoring, and scaling features
- Wide range of services and features, including virtual machines, storage, databases, and machine learning tools
- Strong support and community resources, including access to expert technical support and a large marketplace of ready-to-deploy solutions