Fed Yunis Zapata - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Solutions Architect at Canvia
Real User
Top 10
The services are ready to use from the outset
Pros and Cons
  • "Easy to deploy services"
  • "Potential improvements to the price calculator tool"

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case for Azure is for workload, database, and service migrations. I use Azure to migrate services to serverless Azure services. Some of the services I utilize within Azure are Azure SQL database, managed database, Cosmos, virtual machines, service accounts, and infrastructure as a code for migration.

What needs improvement?

I'd like to see improvements with the price calculator tool. I would like to get a forward-looking view of the services I want to cost. For example, if I want a bigger machine with two CPU's and eight gigabytes of RAM, maybe the calculator can allow me to input my recipe, the tool can then give me a list of virtual machines that have that specification, and it will be easier for me to choose the virtual machine I want. 

There are no additional features at this time I can suggest for future releases.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have worked with Microsoft Azure for 7 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure is very stable, it has a SLA of 99.9%.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure
March 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2024.
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The Azure services are very scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Microsoft have varying types of support levels. Depending on what level of support you have , this determines the response time from them.

What about the implementation team?

We implement in-house.

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

All services in the cloud are easy to set up, the services are ready to use from the outset. For example, it would take me 5 minutes to deploy one virtual machine in Azure, or a Sharepoint cluster may take me 4 hours. The cloud deployments are normally automatic once you start.

Regarding licensing, always look to optimize costs with the use of Azure Advisor.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We use Microsoft Azure and AWS, depending on what the client wants. Some clients like to compare prices between the two, it depends on the workload that my client would like to migrate also.

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
Manager- Projects at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Scalable, stable, and easy to install cloud computing platform
Pros and Cons
  • "Installation is easy as it's cloud-based. Performance is good. It's stable and scalable."
  • "Integration with more platforms needs improvement."

What is our primary use case?

Microsoft Azure is for customers who want to move to cloud-based solutions, take advantage of licensing e.g. hardware or software licensing benefits, and other cloud-related benefits, e.g. Azure container benefits, making their applications more scalable, etc.

What is most valuable?

This solution shows good performance. There were learning hiccups initially, but now it's okay.

What needs improvement?

More integration with other platforms is what I would like included in the next release for this solution.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been implementing Microsoft Azure for our customers for four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I found Microsoft Azure to be scalable.

How are customer service and support?

We don't directly interact with technical support because the licenses are bought by our customers, so it's our customers who interact with them, but we didn't see any major issues with Microsoft Azure, on the ground.

How was the initial setup?

As Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based solution, installation was easy.

What about the implementation team?

Our team implemented this solution. The technical team, particularly those with knowledge about Microsoft Azure should be able to implement it well. We used our engineers to implement it.

What other advice do I have?

We've been using different Microsoft solutions. Microsoft has solutions. It starts from Azure data sending, data storage, and other Azure related solutions. other Microsoft solutions that everybody uses include Office, Outlook, C#, .Net, etc., from the technical side.

It is our customers who use Microsoft Azure. They wanted to move to Microsoft Azure, so we moved them. We just maintain it for them, and also do the development and the support for their applications.

For people who want to start using this solution, if they are currently using the Microsoft Stack on-premises, moving to Microsoft Azure will be good.

'm giving Microsoft Azure a score of 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
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Azure
March 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Azure. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2024.
763,955 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Market Tech Partner at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees
Consultant
An agile, scalable and stable solution with good tech support
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution has given us more agility, scalability and opportunity to optimize the cost."
  • "There should be be better support for microservices and containers."

What is our primary use case?

The solution does not have a specific version. We are talking more about a resource group. Whichever is the latest version is the one we use. 

The solution is used across the industry. Currently, I am working on something involving the education industry. My previous assignment focused more on clinical trials or medical data. These are two of the most recent and largest projects I have undertaken. 

How has it helped my organization?

The solution has given us more agility, scalability and opportunity to optimize the cost.

What needs improvement?

The solution should have better interface capabilities. 

There should be be better support for microservices and containers.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Azure since 2010. I have used it within the past 12 months. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution gives our organization scalability. 

We have plans to increase its usage. 

How are customer service and support?

Microsoft Azure's technical support is good.

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

We did not use another solution prior to Microsoft Azure. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

The deployment does not take long. In fact, the deployment time is not really applicable. When it comes to Azure, we are talking more about a platform than a proper product. I'm more into migration. 

What about the implementation team?

In our case, it is we who are the consultants. As such, we are mostly into deployment at the moment and not maintenance. There are other providers who handle the latter. 

What was our ROI?

I am not in a position to comment on whether we have seen a return on our investment.

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

The licensing is pay per usage, so it can be both monthly and yearly. It supports all.

There are no additional costs beyond the standard licensing fees. There are various licensing programs, so the customer may choose the one which aligns with his needs. 

What other advice do I have?

The solution provides platform as a service and infrastructure service, both of which are good.

Since Microsoft Azure supports close to 200 or 300 products, we are not talking about a single product or solution and this makes it difficult for me to provide advice. Being a platform, there may be thousands of users who are making use of it. However, in my organization, we are talking about nearly 200. 

I don't have specific advice to give. This product lends good support when it comes to Microsoft tech. If the organization is a part of the overall Microsoft ecosystem, employing things such as O365 or M365, then Microsoft Azure does a better job than the competition. 

I rate Microsoft Azure as a 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.
PeerSpot user
Sr Engineer IT at Hical Technologies Pvt Ltd
Real User
Stable, with good management capabilities and helpful technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "Technical support has been good over the years."
  • "The pricing could be better."

What is our primary use case?

We are primarily using the solution for the active directory, and Microsoft TPM. 

How has it helped my organization?

The product has helped in managing laptops during COVID. It is very useful to work from home. It offers useful products like Microsoft Teams, used by 100% of our company. Due to the fact that it's all on the cloud, we don't have to be in the office to access and manage everything. 

What is most valuable?

The management aspect of the solution has been good. We've been able to align it with our laptop servers and Microsoft 10 configurations. 

The solution continues to improve itself. 

The monitoring of the product is good.

Scalability is there if you need it. 

The solution is stable. 

Technical support has been good over the years. 

What needs improvement?

The pricing could be better. 

If you don't understand Microsoft, the initial setup can be a bit difficult. You have to be slightly technical. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for about four years. It's been a while. I've had some time to get to know the solution. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the solution has been excellent. There are no bugs or glitches. It's reliable. It doesn't crash or free. the performance is good. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is very good. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so. it's not a problem. 

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is good. We haven't had any issues with them. We're satisfied with the level of support we get. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy if you understand Microsoft and have some experience. Otherwise, it is very difficult.

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

We'd prefer lower pricing. Microsoft can be costly. Due to COVID, many small companies can't handle the costs that Microsoft is charging. They need to be more flexible. If customers were going through cloud solutions, they should get more of a discount. 

What other advice do I have?

We are Microsoft customers and end-users. We don't have a business relationship with the company. 

I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. We've mostly been quite please with the product and its capabilities. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Team Manager - Public Cloud & Operations at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Scales well, reliable, has good support and you pay for what you use
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of this solution is the integration between all of the components in Azure."
  • "I would like to see better policy-based management and everything related to security management could have been better integrated."

What is our primary use case?

We use Microsoft Azure for PaaS, SaaS, and IaaS solutions. It is used in a broad spectrum of business applications for general use.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of this solution is the integration between all of the components in Azure.

What needs improvement?

There are always areas for improvement. The integration is good but it can always be better.

The openness and the security policies can be better. It is missing a bit in everything related to the policies.

I would like to see better policy-based management and everything related to security management could have been better integrated.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Microsoft Azure for six years, and in my current company for more than two years.

We are using the latest version. It is a SaaS solution it is always updated

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Microsoft Azure is stable and it's a reliable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is absolutely scalable. It is one of the major reasons we adopted public clouds, to have that scalability.

We have approximately 10,000 users who use at least some of the features of this solution.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have contacted technical support. Overall we are pretty happy, but sometimes they are responsive and other times they are less responsive.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is complex but it is more to do with the nature of what we want to achieve and less to do with the nature of the product.

To a certain extent, it is complex, but on the other hand, once you know what you are doing, nothing is complex.

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

Licensing is on a monthly basis. It is paid on a per-use basis.

I am quite happy with the pricing. You pay for what you get.

What other advice do I have?

I would absolutely recommend this solution to others who are interested in this solution.

I would rate Microsoft Azure an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Senior Solutions Specialist (Network & Security) at Ooredoo Qatar
Real User
Top 20
Feature-rich, flexible, scales well, reasonably priced, and has good support
Pros and Cons
  • "I like that it is user-friendly and flexible."
  • "I would like to see the console improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use Microsoft Azure for enterprise applications.

What is most valuable?

I like that it is user-friendly and flexible.

It's done a really good job. It's an up-to-the-mark product.

There are many features available in Azure, including hundreds of products. There are more than 200. It is difficult to find fault in this product.

What needs improvement?

While Microsoft Azure is user-friendly, some of the other cloud products I use are more user-friendly. I use AWS and I like it more than I like Microsoft Azure.

I would like to see the console improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Azure for two years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of Microsoft Azure is a valuable feature.

We have approximately 50 users in our organization and plan to increase our usage.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is good.

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

Previously, I was using AWS.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward.

The installation time varies; it can take as little as five minutes or as long as several hours.

Because there are so many products, we have quite the team. We have anywhere from five to ten people to manage and maintain the complete infrastructure.

What about the implementation team?

I completed the installation myself. I did not use an integrator or consultant.

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

We have a subscription and the price is reasonable.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend Microsoft Azure to others who are interested in using it. It's a good product.

I would rate Microsoft Azure an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Solution Architect at KIAN company
Real User
Can be used for disaster recovery and business continuity
Pros and Cons
  • "In terms of computer resource management and reduced cost, it is very, very effective. In large environments, it gives you a lot of flexibility to provide different services, like disaster recovery and business continuity with simple and great options because you don't have to spend a lot of time for maintenance, upgrades, and security."
  • "I think Azure Active Directory and also the backup solutions provided in Azure need to be improved by Microsoft. The backup solution is not a very enterprise solution, and it is very simple. I think in comparison with other backup solutions like Nakivo and Veeam Backup, it can be improved to have a lot of options."

What is our primary use case?

It is great for computer resource management at reduced cost. Also in a large environment, it gives you a lot of flexibility to provide different services, like disaster recovery and business continuity.

What is most valuable?

In terms of computer resource management and reduced cost, it is very, very effective. In large environments, it gives you a lot of flexibility to provide different services, like disaster recovery and business continuity with simple and great options because you don't have to spend a lot of time for maintenance, upgrades, and security. Also, Microsoft Azure provides a lot of services that can be managed by Microsoft like NetApp and SQL Server on a database.

Microsoft Azure has services such as ACS, Azure Container Service. This is very useful for improvements in running applications in a scalable environment. You will not need to spend time building the cluster on-premises, and you can improve your clusters with a lot of administration options.

What needs improvement?

I think Azure Active Directory and also the backup solutions provided in Azure need to be improved by Microsoft. The backup solution is not a very enterprise solution, and it is very simple. I think in comparison with other backup solutions like Nakivo and Veeam Backup, it can be improved to have a lot of options.

Along with this, one of the lack of options in Azure is managing antiviruses in virtual machines in the Azure environment. For example, if we have a lot of virtual machines on-premises and have to migrate them in Azure, there is no handy tool for the central management of antivirus software in all virtual machines in Azure.

On-premises, we have a lot of options like Kaspersky, Norton, and a lot of others, but in the Azure environment, you are limited to Windows ATP.

Windows ATP solutions are limited and can be improved by Microsoft, specifically the central management of the GUI for configuring agents on virtual machines.

I think Microsoft Azure should provide more innovation and new services to get better performance in the market.

The documentation for how to connect to CLI could also be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Microsoft Azure for around three years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very scalable and can be distributed to different regions.

How are customer service and technical support?

I'm not involved in using technical support because I directly work with an Azure architect on my team who is responsible for providing support and leading the team as well as contacting the Microsoft support team. In general, however, I think, one of the best advantages of Microsoft services is the support team made up of technical engineers who help solve problems.

How was the initial setup?

As for the initial setup, the GUI in Microsoft is very simple and very handy, but in Azure Container Service, it is not very handy and is very complex. You would need to go forward with CLI.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate Microsoft Azure at eight on a scale from one to ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Head Of Information Technology at a financial services firm with 51-200 employees
Real User
A cloud computing service that makes remote working a seamless experience
Pros and Cons
  • "I like a lot of features. For example, the Windows virtual solution has helped in such a way that our client-based application was converted into a web-based version through the use of the Windows Virtual Desktop."
  • "With Microsoft, our only concern is exchange rates because we're paying in dollars. It's very expensive for us because of the exchange rates. It would help if they partnered with someone locally so we can pay in our local currency."

What is our primary use case?

We have some services that are customer-facing that was put on a public cloud. We also have some of the applications that we use in-house, and we put that in our private environment.

Currently, because we have migrated our infrastructure to the cloud, we boosted some of our core applications in the Windows virtual environment. We also make use of it for our call center solution.

What is most valuable?

I like a lot of features. For example, the Windows virtual solution has helped in such a way that our client-based application was converted into a web-based version through the use of the Windows Virtual Desktop. It makes life very easy for our users when working remotely from anywhere. Because of Azure, the work from home policy makes our work feel seamless. We make use of SharePoint, and collaboration has been very smooth and wonderful. We also make use of Microsoft Teams. It's been wonderful. It's been very awesome.

What needs improvement?

With Microsoft, our only concern is exchange rates because we're paying in dollars. It's very expensive for us because of the exchange rates. It would help if they partnered with someone locally so we can pay in our local currency. That's the only major area that we wanted them to look into. At least for exchange rate purposes, they should try to do something.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have just migrated our infrastructure. I have been using Microsoft Azure for a couple of months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I can guarantee that it's 100% reliable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's very easy, and we don't regret this step at all. It's very scalable, and sometimes if we don't need the VM that we set up, we can quickly decommission it. Then if you wanted it back up again, we could bring it up quickly. It's very scalable. We have an average of 50 users at the moment.

How are customer service and technical support?

Technical support is very good. I like that they have local partners and local support in our own country and not someone in another geographical region. When we wanted to do the setup with the Microsoft partner, we had some issues, and we reported it to them. They were very responsive. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation was straightforward because Microsoft had some partners here. To be a good Microsoft partner, you would have done a lot of training with all this stuff, making our deployment and migrations very seamless.

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

We're paying in dollars, and it's very expensive for us because of the exchange rates. We have all kinds of agreements with the partner, and we'll be paying quarterly. But it depends on how you want to pay. It depends on the option that's flexible for you.

What other advice do I have?

We would recommend this solution to potential users. I would advise them to analyze the infrastructure and what they want to achieve. After that, they should be able to get across to a good partner. 

That will help them a lot because they would need a good supportive partner. Migration can be very miserable, so they should consider a good partner. They should also have their own internal strategy on what they want to achieve. This will help the partners help them. 

We wanted to do a whole lot of things that cost us even more. But because we were able to get a reliable partner, they were able to guide us very well, and we were able to get some significant cost savings.

On a scale from one to ten, I would give Microsoft Azure a 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: Partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Azure Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: March 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Azure Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.