Gate 39 Media takes pride in being a technology consulting firm that specializes in providing financial and agricultural businesses with custom development solutions, data management, systems integration, and cloud management expertise. When the business world began shifting to the cloud, we conducted our due diligence on several options before adopting Microsoft Azure as one of our core hosting solutions alongside AWS.
As a pioneer in the world of technology, Microsoft has established itself as a trusted name in the industry. With its extensive experience and expertise, Microsoft has built a reputation for delivering cutting-edge technologies that meet the evolving needs of businesses.
When it comes to cloud computing, Microsoft Azure stands out as a leading platform that offers a wide range of services and features.
We previously talked with Gate 39 Media’s DevOps Specialist, Eduardo Estevez Nunez, to learn why Amazon Web Services is our hosting provider of choice. To complement that, we spoke to Gate 39 Media’s Senior Developer, John Martello, to understand why Microsoft Azure is our hosting provider of choice for our portal clients.
Can you please describe what Microsoft Azure is and what makes it special?
John Martello: Sure! Azure was first introduced in 2008 under the codename “Red Dog.” The goal was to build a disruptive platform replicating the design of Microsoft Windows for hosting ASP.NET web applications and APIs. It was officially launched as Windows Azure in 2010 and later renamed Microsoft Azure in 2014. Today, it is one of the leading cloud infrastructure providers, coming in only behind AWS, according to Statista.
Azure harnesses the power of Microsoft software products in the cloud. It provides a secure and reliable infrastructure for running applications, storing and managing data, and security monitoring.
One main feature of Azure is its ability to seamlessly integrate with other Microsoft products and services. So if your organization already uses Microsoft software, such as Office 365 or Dynamics 365, Azure can integrate with those solutions, which will make for a smooth transition to the cloud.
Azure also provides strong security and continuous monitoring to make sure that your data is protected from potential threats. For our portal clients, it offers a reliable and secure cloud hosting service.
What makes Azure Cloud a secure hosting option for Gate 39 Media’s portal clients?
John Martello: Azure is central to Gate 39 Media’s cloud hosting services because its native security tools protect users’ data from being compromised. The cloud runs on customized hardware with security controls integrated into the hardware and firmware components. Additionally, the Azure Security Center provides robust security monitoring features, allowing for the anticipation and quick resolution of any possible security concerns.
To ensure it meets the highest possible security and privacy requirements, Azure is compliant with over 90 global and industry-specific standards, including ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR, and many others.
What are the notable advantages of Azure security?
John Martello: Azure has a secure foundation that is provided by Microsoft, which invests more than $1 billion annually on cybersecurity research and development. Microsoft also employs more than 3,500 security experts dedicated to data security and privacy. There are hundreds of datacenters in 50 regions, with extensive physical and network protections against unauthorized access and DDoS attacks.
The built-in security controls help to quickly configure security across the entire stack, from the infrastructure to the application layer. Azure Security Center is a unified security management and advanced threat protection service that gives visibility and control over resource security.
We spoke with Eduardo last week about Amazon Web Services. How does Azure differ from AWS?
John Martello: The choice between Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) for cloud hosting depends on your organization’s business requirements and existing technology infrastructure. Both offer a wide range of services and features, but their suitability depends on various factors.
I already mentioned that Azure is known for its seamless integration with other Microsoft products and services both in the cloud and on-premises. If your organization already uses Microsoft software like Office 365, Active Directory, or SQL Server, you can expect a smooth and efficient transition to the cloud. It offers a secure and reliable infrastructure for running applications, managing data, and ensuring security.
AWS provides a vast array of flexible and scalable services that cater to different needs. AWS also offers a comprehensive suite of tools and services, allowing for easy customization and optimization of your cloud environment.
Ultimately, both Azure and AWS are leading cloud service providers, and the choice between them depends on your unique circumstances. Gate 39 Media services run on a multi-cloud solution, so we run AWS for WordPress websites that we host, and we leverage Microsoft Azure for .NET Portals.
Anyone who wants learn more about our hosting or development services are welcome to connect with us for a consultation.
Ready to discover the benefits of cloud hosting? Let’s talk!
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