What is Microsoft Azure? - An Introduction to Azure

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that provides a broad range of services — including compute, storage, networking, databases, and AI — that businesses can use to build, deploy, and manage applications without owning physical infrastructure.

Core Categories of Azure Services

• Compute — Virtual Machines, App Service, Azure Functions, AKS
• Storage — Blob Storage, File Storage, Disk Storage
• Databases — Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, Azure Database for PostgreSQL/MySQL
• Networking — Virtual Network, Load Balancer, VPN Gateway, Azure Firewall
• AI and Machine Learning — Azure Machine Learning, Cognitive Services
• DevOps — Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions integration

Deployment Models Supported by Azure

• Public Cloud — resources hosted entirely on Microsoft's shared infrastructure
• Private Cloud (Azure Stack) — extends Azure services into an organization's own data center
• Hybrid Cloud — combines on-premises infrastructure with Azure's public cloud services

Why Organizations Use Azure

• Pay-as-you-go pricing that avoids large upfront hardware investments
• Global infrastructure that lets applications scale close to users worldwide
• A broad range of compliance certifications suited for regulated industries
• Deep integration with other Microsoft products like Office 365 and Windows Server