We have many use cases of Azure. For example, in this project, we usually use Jira for tracking the tasks, stories, etc., but in this case we used Azure. We used it for the whole scrum process. We also used it as our deployment environment for testing the software and production. The production was also deployed on the Azure cloud.
Software Architect at AIOPS group
Powerful and easy to integrate
Pros and Cons
- "One of the most valuable features of Azure is that it's a very integrated solution. You have to learn how to use it properly, but it's not that hard, and you can define your whole scrum process and deploy it from one place. It was a really nice surprise to see how easily integrated this tool is."
- "I would say an improvement could be allowing for more external, third-party tools. However, I think that's their vision, how they develop the product."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
One of the most valuable features of Azure is that it's a very integrated solution. You have to learn how to use it properly, but it's not that hard, and you can define your whole scrum process and deploy it from one place. It was a really nice surprise to see how easily integrated this tool is.
What needs improvement?
I would say an improvement could be allowing for more external, third-party tools. However, I think that's their vision, how they develop the product.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Azure for about a year.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable. We were quite happy with Azure's performance.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Azure is scalable.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have also used AWS. To put it this way, I don't think Azure is worse than AWS—certainly it's not the same, so if you're used to using one, it may initially be different, but it's not hard to learn. Maybe if I use it more, I can give some specifics, but I think Azure is a very good solution.
How was the initial setup?
Azure is a cloud tool, so the installation is a very easy process.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Their licensing costs might be a little bit lower, compared to AWS, but I'm not sure. I think we get licenses, especially on long-term projects, on a yearly basis. It could be cheaper.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Azure an eight out of ten. There is some hype in the industry around AWS, but I think Azure is quite powerful and could be a really nice alternative to AWS.
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 does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

senior system integrator at a retailer with 10,001+ employees
Highly stable and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Azure is scalable."
- "There are many bugs in the solutions and we already have a ticket to Microsoft. Their content team is working on that."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Microsoft Azure for deploying our Windows. Additionally, Microsoft Azure for some analytic functions where we can have all our sales data and budgeting can be done.
What needs improvement?
There are many bugs in the solutions and we already have a ticket to Microsoft. Their content team is working on that.
We don't have the active-active options for Microsoft SQL Server. This is something they can work on.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Azure for one and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft Azure is scalable.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Azure an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
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Systems Architect at a educational organization with 1,001-5,000 employees
Good for managing and configuring infrastructures
Pros and Cons
- "In terms of managing and configuring infrastructures, Azure is fairly good."
- "Azure could be improved with better security. The world is changing and their security could be better. Compared to five years ago, many of these cloud systems are a lot better, especially since you can set up a private cloud and configure your services to make it more secure."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use cases are for GPU-centric computing and deploying web services infrastructure solutions.
What is most valuable?
In terms of managing and configuring infrastructures, Azure is fairly good.
What needs improvement?
Azure could be improved with better security. The world is changing and their security could be better. Compared to five years ago, many of these cloud systems are a lot better, especially since you can set up a private cloud and configure your services to make it more secure.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Azure for more than two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I used Azure in a research-related context to see what features were possible, not a scalability context, so my impressions are limited.
How are customer service and support?
If you require a good amount of support, you may have an easier time with AWS.
How was the initial setup?
Installation may not be easy for novices, but for experienced folks, it's fairly straightforward. You can do it yourself.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented this solution myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing is available for Azure. We mainly use Azure in a research context and to showcase what's possible, not from a scalability context, so our usage is limited from that standpoint.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I have also worked with Amazon AWS. In general, AWS is fairly good too. I also know that many people also look at Google Cloud, which offers similar features and services.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Azure an eight out of ten. There are some quirks, but in terms of managing and configuring infrastructures, it's fairly good. I recommend Azure because it's a top-class cloud solution provider, so there aren't many issues.
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Director
Remote data access from anywhere, stable, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The best feature in Microsoft Azure is that I don't have to change computers. I don't have to upgrade or if something breaks or a hard drive crashes. The lack of a physical aspect is the major feature for me."
What is our primary use case?
I generally, use Microsoft Azure for storage and to have applications running, such as the Microsoft Suite without having to have a physical desktop or hardware. I could use it wherever I want. I could use it from a tablet, instead of having all that files on a tablet, you can have it stored, saved, everything right there in Azure.
What is most valuable?
The best feature in Microsoft Azure is that I don't have to change computers. I don't have to upgrade or if something breaks or a hard drive crashes. The lack of a physical aspect is the major feature for me.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Azure for approximately two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Azure is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I do not have to worry about scalability because I do not have users other than myself. However, it is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I have not had the need to contact the support, I have not any issues.
How was the initial setup?
The installation was easy.
What was our ROI?
By using Microsoft Azure you can save money from not having to purchase or maintain infrastructure.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of the solution could be reduced. There should be a loyalty cost reduction model. If customers have been using the service year after year they should receive a discount.
What other advice do I have?
I would advise those thinking about using Microsoft Azure to try it out, especially for businesses. If you know that your office might be moving, instead of having all the cost of physical hardware to either get rid of or repurchase, the cost of the subscription is going to be a lot less than moving all your physical servers, storage devices, and computers. You won't have any maintenance, the need to worry about hardware breaking, hardware crashing, or people breaking any of the hardware. The workstations and connectivity are all they would need to worry about if they decided to move from one spot to the other.
I rate Microsoft Azure an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Director comercial at a comms service provider with 11-50 employees
We like its compatibility with other operating systems
Pros and Cons
- "One of the best features is the last package security of upgrades to Microsoft Azure. Also, we like Azure's compatibility with other operating systems."
- "We use Microsoft Server 2019 and 2016. And I didn't like the 2019 client, so we had to downgrade back to 2016. The main issue there was its monitoring system. Our client needed an alternative, and if they were using more Windows products, they also needed to make that downgrade."
What is our primary use case?
We've been using Microsoft Azure for federal government installations, and it has been really useful. Azure works well with the servers and equipment that we use. We've been deploying a hybrid environment, so this has been a great tool for our clients. For example, we've been upgrading systems for a secure health institution in Mexico City, so we deployed an Azure-based management system for the entire institution. However, things weren't so easy for some of our other clients. In one case, we used Azure to manage all the mortgages, connectivity, and databases for a huge mortgage provider. We managed all that information in Microsoft Azure.
What is most valuable?
One of the best features is the last package security of upgrades to Microsoft Azure. Also, we like Azure's compatibility with other operating systems.
What needs improvement?
We use Microsoft Server 2019 and 2016. And I didn't like the 2019 client, so we had to downgrade back to 2016. The main issue there was its monitoring system. Our client needed an alternative, and if they were using more Windows products, they also needed to make that downgrade.
For how long have I used the solution?
I started working with Microsoft Azure around 10 years ago.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Microsoft Azure 10 out of 10. We like how accessible it is to the end-user, not just the engineers or developers.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Associate Vice President at Hitachi Systems, Ltd.
Stable, easy to use, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "It's set up to handle any cloud requirement."
- "The security of the solution could always be much better."
What is our primary use case?
We are primarily using the solution for One Drive on Microsoft, as well as Office 365 and Microsoft Teams.
What is most valuable?
The solution is easy to use.
It's great for ready-to-use services.
It's set up to handle any cloud requirement.
The solution is stable.
The scalability is great.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft needs to simplify its licensing, which is hard to understand currently.
The security of the solution could always be much better.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using the solution for three to four years. It's been a while.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of the product is great. Due to the fact that it is a cloud deployment, it scales well.
How are customer service and support?
I've used technical support in the past. They are okay. We've been satisfied with them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We are also using AWS.
How was the initial setup?
We have a team that handles the implementation.
Depending on the situation, you don't need too many people to maintain it. We always start with one resource and go from there.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing is always confusing with Microsoft. It's very hard to understand.
What other advice do I have?
Due to the fact that we're using the cloud deployment of the solution, we're always on the latest version.
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten.
I would recommend the solution to other users and organizations. Azure is the first ones to come onto the market. They have a very good solution.
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 does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Director Of Sales Marketing at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
A good choice for enterprises in sectors like semiconductors, biochemistry
Pros and Cons
- "To me, the most valuable Azure features are AKS, Cloud SQL, security, and account management."
- "Azure installation is complicated. When we first deployed Azure, it was challenging."
What is our primary use case?
I have developed a platform on Azure for the semiconductor industry. Azure is an excellent choice for enterprises in sectors like semiconductors, biochemistry, etc.
What is most valuable?
To me, the most valuable Azure features are AKS, Cloud SQL, security, and account management.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Microsoft Azure for a couple of years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Azure is as stable as most cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Azure is stable but not as scalable as I'd like. In terms of scalability, AWS is better than Azure. In my organization, we have 500 or so employees.
How was the initial setup?
Azure installation is complicated. When we first deployed Azure, it was challenging. By contrast, AWS is easy to install and maintain. Azure is tough. It takes from one to two weeks to fully deploy. Our technical team responsible for deploying and managing Azure has 30 people.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Azure eight out of 10. Azure is difficult to deploy at first, but we have the money to develop, maintain, and support it.
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 does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Managing Director at D3
Easy to use administrator interface, stable, and straightforward installation
Pros and Cons
- "The user interface is very good for administrators."
- "Microsoft should have one package for all their solutions in one place to be found."
What is our primary use case?
We are using SharePoint through Azure.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution has helped our company by having zero maintenance.
What is most valuable?
The user interface is very good for administrators.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft should have one package for all their solutions in one place to be found.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Azure for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Azure is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have found Microsoft Azure scalable.
How are customer service and support?
I have satisfied with the technical support from Microsoft.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was easy.
What about the implementation team?
I did the implementation of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of the solution could be less expensive and the pricing model could be less confusing.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to those wanting to implement the solution is to have training. It is important to train the internal employees.
I rate Microsoft Azure a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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