Modernising with Azure: The Key Tools and Platforms
Key Microsoft Azure Tools and Platforms
The Microsoft Azure platform provides a vast range of tools and platforms that can be utilised, applied and implemented in order to deliver Application Modernisation.
Why are the tides changing in favour of modernising existing IT investments as opposed to full replacement with a ready-made solution such as COTS (Commercial Off the Shelf) or SaaS.? There are many answers to this question, but many businesses have learned (many through trial and error) that:
- The amount of time it takes to retire legacy applications and move many users/customers over to a new product to achieve a more modern, agile and fast solution can ironically be a painstakingly long process once you have moved over all the required data and carried out the necessary customisations. Meanwhile, it’s quite common for organisations to run two parallel applications at the same time when undergoing a modernisation activity
- Small incremental improvements can be applied to modernise aspects of a legacy system now that weren’t achievable 10 years ago, largely due to the vast amount of very accessible innovation and tools available
The Microsoft Azure tools and platforms cover infrastructure, data, security and application and allow either targeted or more comprehensive application modernisation to take place.
With the ability to leverage game-changing technologies and the latest innovation, Azure is an excellent platform for organisations to modernise their existing applications.
It’s important to note that modernising in Azure doesn’t necessarily mean that applications have to move upfront to Azure – certain elements of the application can be moved to the Cloud in a targeted manner, creating a hybrid solution. This also provides organisations with a roadmap for change, creating flexibility for modernisation on-premise, with a view to moving to Cloud in the near future.
Below is a comprehensive list of the tools available within Azure
Apps Service – Quickly build, deploy and scale web apps created with popular frameworks like .NET, .NET Core, Node.js, Java, PHP, Ruby or Python, in containers or running on any operating system.
Functions – Accelerate and simplify application development with serverless compute.
Logic App – Connect business-critical apps and services with Azure Logic Apps, automating workflows without writing a single line of code.
Service Fabric – Build and operate always-on, scalable, distributed apps.
Kubernetes Service – Deploy and manage Kubernetes.
SignalR – Quickly and easily build real-time communications into your web app.
Azure Search – AI-powered cloud search service for mobile and web app development.
Service Bus – Reliable cloud messaging as a service (MaaS) and simple hybrid integration.
Event Grid – Reliable event delivery at massive scale.
Notification Hubs – Send notifications to any platform.
Storage Queue -Durable queues for large-volume cloud services.
Storage Blob – Massively scalable object storage for unstructured data.
Storage Table – A NoSQL key-value store for rapid development using massive semi-structured datasets.
Cosmos DB – Build a globally distributed, multi-model database.
Stream Analytics – Serverless real-time analytics, from the cloud to the edge.
Azure Files – Fully managed file shares in the cloud.
Azure SQL Database – Managed, intelligent SQL in the cloud.
SQL Elastic Pools – Manage elastic pools and pooled databases.
Data Factory – Hybrid data integration service that simplifies ETL at scale.
Data Lake – A no-limits data lake to power intelligent action.
Cognitive Services – A comprehensive family of AI services and cognitive APIs to help you build intelligent apps.
Bot Service – A managed service purpose-built for bot development.
Machine Learning – Enterprise-grade machine learning service for building and deploying models faster.
Cortana – An intelligent and personal, digital assistant.
Maps – Geospatial APIs to add maps, spatial analytics and mobility solutions to apps.
IoT Hub – Managed service to enable bi-directional communication between IoT devices and Azure.
Content Delivery Network – Secure and reliable global content delivery and acceleration.
Media Services – Cloud-based media workflow platform to index, package, protect and stream video at scale.
Active Directory – Universal platform to manage and secure identities.
AD B2C – Identity and access management for your customer-facing apps.
Multi-Factor Authentication – Security through two step verification.
Key Vault – Safeguard cryptographic keys and other secrets used by cloud apps and services.
Azure Automation – A cloud-based automation and configuration service that provides consistent management.
Monitor – Full observability into applications, infrastructure and network.
Security Centre – Gain unmatched hybrid security management and threat protection.
App Insights – Monitor live applications.
Azure Advisor – Free, personalised guide to Azure best practices.
API Management – Hybrid, multi-cloud management platform for APIs across all environments.
Cost Management – Understand Azure billing, manage your account and subscriptions, monitor and control Azure spending and optimise resource use.
Datadog – Monitor issues in Azure applications and their underlying infrastructure.
Terraform – Provision and manage cloud infrastructure.
SpecFlow – Define application behaviour.
Pipelines – Continuously build, test and deploy to any platform and cloud.
DevOps – Plan smarter, collaborate better and ship faster with a set of modern dev services..
Repos – Unlimited, cloud-hosted private Git repos.
VPN Gateway – Connecting infrastructure to the cloud.
Azure Load Balancer – Deliver high availability and network performance to applications.
Express Route – Experience a faster private connection to Azure.
Virtual Network – Create a private virtual network in the cloud.
Traffic Manager – Distribute traffic optimally to services across global Azure region.
Site Recovery – Azure’s built-in disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS)
Resource Group – Deployment and management service.
Virtual Machine – Create Linux or Windows virtual machines.
Modernise With Azure
Version 1’s unique methodology for modernising applications while exploiting the capabilities of Microsoft technologies is highly beneficial to enterprise organisations seeking a strategic and outcome-focused approach to Application Modernisation. ‘Modernise With Azure’ offers a natural continuation to your Application Modernisation Roadmap outcomes and provides a structured path to bringing your digital vision to life.
About Version 1
IT service provider and Microsoft gold partner Version 1 specialises in digital transformation, enterprise cloud, data estate modernisation, legacy and application modernisation. Version 1 has over 20 years’ application experience, and major public sector organisations and enterprises across the UK and Ireland partner with Version 1 to transform, migrate, run and optimise mission-critical applications on Azure. Operating in the arena of Microsoft services since 2006, Version 1 is one of the most accredited Microsoft partners across the UK and Ireland. Find out more about Modernising with Azure by downloading our datasheet here.
Application Modernisation Business Case for 2020: Proving Value
