Welcome to November’s edition of Azure News, collating the latest updates in the world of Azure. As always, if you need any further information on anything we share in this month’s newsletter, or if you have any Azure queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Node4’s latest independent report reveals why half of UK businesses have removed workloads from Public Cloud platforms
Public cloud stepping stone or long-term transformation solution? Our independent report reveals how 300+ IT leaders are evolving their technology strategy with hybrid cloud at the heart.
Public cloud has proven itself a popular destination over the last few years. However, UK IT leaders have also noted challenges and shortcomings with its utilisation that are leading to a rise in the retention or increase in non-cloud technology, with these same organisations now considering an alternative routes to modernisation: hybrid cloud.
Azure Firewall Basic preview revealed
With organisations needing to be aware of a rise in the amount of sophistication of cyberattacks, in no small part due to increasingly de-centralised workforces and the unstoppable rise of digital transformation, the importance of a comprehensive and robust security will not be declining any time soon.
That’s why Microsoft is introducing Azure Firewall Basic, a new SKU and alternative to Azure Firewall built to address the needs of SMBs needing enterprise-grade protection, without breaking the bank.
Node4 upgrades second data centre to deliver Azure Hybrid Cloud solution in new UK North Region
We’re pleased to announce the expansion of our Azure Hybrid Cloud solution, thanks to increased demand from Northern businesses.
Originally accessed from our Northampton data centre, which services the UK central region, an update to our Leeds data centre will deliver the service in closer proximity to our customers, also providing additional UK-wide capacity and regional diversity to our infrastructure.
Microsoft Ignite – catch up on October’s conference
Designed to help customers and developers get the best out of Microsoft technologies, the yearly Ignite conference is a unique look into what the tech giant has in store in the near future. It includes information on new products and updates to existing parts of its application and technology suite, presented over the course of several days.
You’ll find all the best information from 2022’s conference below.
Cost optimisation using Azure Migrate
Organisations across the world have been grappling with the increase in energy costs, forcing them to look inward at all areas of their spending. Financial efficiency will remain a key focus for the foreseeable future, and rising bills coupled with the pandemic-induced rush to migrate to the cloud has called Azure spending into question, with organisations potentially paying for features, services and virtual machines they may not require.
Microsoft’s answer to this issue is cost optimisation with Azure Migrate, which provides an overview of on-premises IT estates, tracking software, planning and projects to ensure financial efficiency.
How to successfully migrate on-premises infrastructure to Azure
So, you’ve decided that an on-premises to Azure migration is in the best interests of your organisation’s competitiveness, sustainability and budget.
To get your project out of the pipeline and into action, it’s a good idea to follow a combination of Azure frameworks and Managed Service Provider advice, which we’ve detailed on our blog.
Introducing Azure Virtual WAN – how it simplifies networking needs
Microsoft’s Azure Virtual WAN has unveiled a series of key announcements regarding its service, which brings together networking, routing and security functions into one single operational interface. The updates concern:
- Remote user connectivity (also known as point-to-site VPN).
- Routing.
- Branch connectivity (also known as site-to-site VPN).
- Private connectivity (also known as ExpressRoute).
- Third-Party Network Virtual Appliance Integrations.