Many companies, large and small, don’t have IT as a core competency. They struggle a lot when they try to build their own IT infrastructure. This diverts company funds and focus away from critical processes and main business objectives.

It is no wonder, then, that firms are attracted to the cloud. Unlike with onsite IT machines that tie up money and human resources, cloud services are economical and scalable. Firms can purchase exactly the type and volume of services they need on either a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. By utilizing a cloud platform, companies can concentrate on building, deploying, and managing apps that execute business functions. When customized to their unique set of requirements, cloud services enhance their ability to push their businesses forward.

While top cloud platforms seem to be very similar at first glance, Microsoft Azure cloud platform is head-and-shoulders above its competition. Here are a few reasons why you must choose Azure as the on-demand data center for your business.

Comprehensive line-up of services

While all major cloud platforms offer both infrastructure and platform services, Microsoft Azure is the best at enabling firms to build their own software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps. This is because Azure can augment their apps with:

• Business intelligence for getting faster insights;
• AI services that let app users feel as though they’re interacting with fellow human beings; and
• Managed service capabilities that automate patching, monitor performance, detect threats, save backups, and enable disaster recovery.

Ease of integration

Azure cloud platform is compatible with nearly all of the programming languages, tools, operating systems, frameworks, platforms, and databases. This makes it easy to integrate with your existing apps and build new ones. Additionally, Microsoft Azure offers hybrid database and storage solutions that facilitate integration with your existing data centers, thereby optimizing and augmenting your current infrastructure without having to spend extra on replacements or upgrades.

Unmatched global reach

As of this writing, Azure cloud platform has 42 up-and-running global regions (with 12 more coming soon), making its cloud services available in 140 countries. Azure has the infrastructure that businesses need to reach more markets faster and serve them consistently, reliably, securely, and efficiently for more cost savings.

Azure assures cloud security

As one of the pioneers in cloud protection and security, Microsoft Azure was the first among the major cloud service providers to comply with the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) privacy laws and implement ISO 27018, the international cloud privacy standard. Azure also complies with country-specific regulations and standards, such as the United States’ Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the United Kingdom’s Government Cloud (G-Cloud), Australia’s Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP), and Singapore’s Multi-Tier Cloud Security (MTCS). Microsoft is also proud to submit Azure cloud platform to globally regarded third-party audits, so that Azure’s compliance to tough security and privacy rules is never in question.

Ever-widening range of ready-to-use solutions

Businesses can manage how much control they want to exercise over their information systems with Azure Cognitive Services.  A website selling furniture can be enhanced with AI that tailor-fits the homepage product display to each visitor, based on what he clicks on web pages, ads, and emails. And with Azure Virtual Machines, firms can cherry-pick from many computing solutions that can be configured precisely to the appropriate operating systems and are deployed where needed at eye-watering speed.

Beyond Azure’s depth is its breadth — practically anything a company wants out of its IT and more is offered by Azure. Want to shorten build times and ensure safety during skyscraper construction? Utilize Azure IoT sensors. Want to pay royalties to game publishers in a transparent manner in real time and with less effort? Utilize blockchain on Azure.

Given Azure’s scope of services, pinning down exactly what your business needs can be difficult. Look to SimplyClouds to help you utilize Azure for maximum growth. Let’s work together to find the best solutions today .