Implement Cloud Platforms in your Organization with Azure Training

Technology is evolving at rapid pace and industries are struggling to keep up with challenges of innovation. These changes bring multi-faceted problems that an enterprise must face head-on if it wants to adapt, survive, and thrive. Cloud computing is a prime example of such a game-changing technology; because it challenges the way IT ecosystems are designed and deployed. The only way an organization can integrate cloud computing effectively is to build a team of qualified, highly-trained resources. We’ll discuss the impact of cloud computing, the challenges of integrating it into existing technology infrastructure, and effective strategies.

The Road to IT Modernization

Traditional business models are becoming outdated. According to the Deloitte Shift Index, the average life of a typical Fortune 500 company fifty years ago was 75 years. This number is now down to 15. A major change that is attributed to the shift in technology and the challenges of trying to keep up with the flux. As a result, modernization isn’t an option, it’s a requirement. Cloud adoption helps increase the pace of IT modernization.  However, IT strategists would be wise to keep in mind that the cloud is a tool. Being over-focused on the minutiae of implementation can lead you to ignore essential business concerns.  It’s best to think of the cloud adoption as a means to an end.

Building an Enterprise Cloud Implementation Strategy

As cloud technology becomes mainstream, organizations are looking towards creating an overarching cloud computing strategy. Integrating cloud solutions, such as Microsoft Azure, into existing organizational processes demands a business-driven approach. There are five key points to consider when formulating a cloud strategy.

Examine Different Usage Scenarios

Determine which type of application you’re targeting and what the technical constraints it presents. Another major factor is the kind of data that flows in an out of the application.

Evaluate Risk vs. Benefit

Analyze the risk and benefits of adopting specific cloud technology. This factor should drive your decision. A high benefit, low-risk use case can easily use a public cloud service. However, avoid moving to the cloud if a high risk, low benefit scenario use case is being considered.

Hybrid Cloud Environment Management

Most organizations have a complex IT ecosystem composed of public cloud services, private clouds, and traditional applications. Securing and managing this environment requires implementation of best practices across the board.

The Morphing of Current Application Strategies

Cloud integration and adoption will affect your current application management practices. Traditional applications should be replaced with SaaS (Software as a Service) models. Development strategies will also need to shift towards a cloud-native approach.

Impact on Infrastructure

Traditional infrastructure components such as data centers are still important, but cloud adoption will challenge the decision-making processes when it comes to deploying private clouds and/or implementing external cloud services.

Cloud Migrations and the Plethora of Problems

Cloud computing has allowed enterprises to lower operating costs and create powerful, robust IT environments. However, the migration of current applications and workflows to the cloud is tricky, to say the least. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey, a majority of the firms surveyed (60 percent) reported that less than 10 percent of their workloads had been migrated successfully to the cloud.  A variety of technological, security, financial, and operational challenges will arise that have to be carefully maneuvered so as not to face a situation where the organization is forced to look for the silver lining.

Towards a Cloud-First Future with Microsoft Azure

According to estimates by LogicMonitor, 83 percent of enterprise workloads will have migrated over to the cloud by the year 2020. A large percentage of these (41 percent) will run on public clouds, such as Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Amazon AWS, etc. About 20 percent will be running on private clouds, and the rest on hybrid public-private clouds.

Microsoft Azure is one of the most successful public cloud providers. The platform is powered by 100 data centers located in 140 countries. According to statistics provided by the tech giant, 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies are currently using Azure. The platform is flexible, scalable, and cost-effective. Along with the infrastructure, they offer a ton of innovative services and development tools. Your enterprise can create intelligent future-proof applications for your customers using Cognitive APIs, Machine Learning frameworks, Blockchain as a Service, and Bots. Organizations need to establish a culture of innovation and adopt new digital initiatives. Moving towards a cloud-first presence will improve resiliency and provide a competitive edge.

Get the Azure Training Edge

Cloud service providers are aware of the scope of challenges that comes with cloud adoption and migration. Microsoft has created systematic Azure certification tracks that help developers learn best practices and technical details of Azure. These tracks cater to every level of expertise and certified developers can become a major asset for cloud-first enterprises. Implementing a cloud-centric technology stack is a struggle for most enterprises. Luckily, Microsoft provides a ton of useful guides for corporations. Start out with reading the official Azure Onboarding for IT Organizations to get a detailed picture. Another extremely useful resource is the Microsoft Azure Strategy and Implementation Guide

Azure Certifications

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Associate
• MCSA: Linux on Azure
• MCSA: Cloud Platform
• MCSA: Data Engineering with Azure
• MCSA: Machine Learning

There are 21 Microsoft Azure certification exams. Different certification tracks require a specific combination, which can be tricky to figure out. Learning tracks are either role-based (developer, administrator, solution architect, business user, business analyst) or functional (platform, development, or data).

Get expert advice and learning materials for Azure training and certification, with QuickStart. Please let us know if you’re interested in specific exams, one of our experts will guide you and we might even end up creating an entire series of posts featuring specific exam material, prep strategies, tips, tricks, the works!

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