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'''Microsoft Azure''', commonly referred to as Azure, is a cloud computing platform and infrastructure provided by [[Microsoft]]. It includes a variety of services, such as virtual machines, databases, and developer tools, that allow users to build, deploy, and manage applications and services through Microsoft's global network of data centres.
	'''Microsoft Azure''' is a cloud computing platform operated by [[Microsoft]]. It provides services for compute, storage, networking, databases, analytics, artificial intelligence, developer tooling, identity, security and application hosting.

Azure offers a wide range of services, including:
	Azure is not a single data centre. It is a platform built across Microsoft's data centre estate and managed through Azure services, APIs, portals, command-line tools and automation systems.

* Compute: Virtual machines, containers, serverless computing, and batch processing.
* Networking: Virtual networks, load balancers, DNS, and VPN Gateway.
* Storage: Blob storage, file storage, disk storage, and managed disks.
* Databases: SQL Database, Cosmos DB, MySQL, and PostgreSQL.
* Web: App Service, API Management, and Azure Functions.
* IoT: IoT Hub, IoT Edge, and Time Series Insights.
* Developer tools: Azure DevOps, Visual Studio, and GitHub.
	== Background ==
	Microsoft announced the platform as Windows Azure in 2008 and launched it commercially in 2010. The name changed to Microsoft Azure in 2014 as the platform moved beyond a Windows-only identity.

Azure also offers AI and machine learning services, analytics and big data solutions, and security and compliance tools.
	Azure became one of Microsoft's main businesses as enterprise computing moved from owned servers and private data centres towards public cloud and hybrid cloud. Microsoft reports Azure inside its cloud and server businesses rather than as a standalone public company.

== History ==
Azure was first announced in October 2008 under the codename "Project Red Dog." It was officially launched on February 1, 2010, as Windows Azure. In March 2014, Microsoft announced that Azure would be renamed Microsoft Azure. Since its launch, Azure has grown to become one of the leading cloud computing platforms in the world.
	== Main Service Areas ==
	Azure includes many product families. Common areas include:

== Key Features ==
	* '''Compute''': virtual machines, container services, serverless functions and batch processing.
	* '''Storage''': object storage, file storage, managed disks, queues and backup services.
	* '''Networking''': virtual networks, load balancing, DNS, gateways, private connectivity and content delivery.
	* '''Databases''': managed SQL, NoSQL and open-source database services.
	* '''Identity and security''': Microsoft Entra integration, key management, monitoring and security tools.
	* '''Developer tools''': Azure DevOps, deployment templates, SDKs and integrations with GitHub.
	* '''AI and analytics''': machine learning, data platforms and managed AI services.

* Global Reach: Azure operates in over 60 regions worldwide, making it one of the largest cloud computing platforms in the world.
* Scalability: Azure allows users to scale their applications and services up or down based on demand, ensuring optimal performance and cost savings.
* Security: Azure offers a range of security features, including network security, identity and access management, and threat detection.
* Integration: Azure integrates with a wide range of tools and technologies, making it easy for users to deploy and manage their applications and services.
* Hybrid Cloud: Azure supports hybrid cloud deployments, allowing users to connect their on-premises infrastructure to Azure for a seamless and integrated experience.
	The exact product list changes over time as Microsoft adds, renames and retires services.

== Getting Started ==
To get started with Azure, users can sign up for a free account, which includes a $200 credit to use on Azure services for the first 30 days. Users can also access a wide range of documentation and tutorials on the Azure website to help them get started with the platform.
	== How It Is Used ==
	Customers use Azure to host websites, APIs, business applications, databases, virtual desktops, analytics pipelines, backups, test environments and machine learning workloads.

== Pricing ==
Azure pricing varies depending on the service and region. Users can estimate their costs using the Azure Pricing Calculator, which provides an estimate based on the services and resources they plan to use.
	Large organisations often use Azure alongside existing infrastructure. A hybrid design might keep some systems on private networks while using Azure for public-facing services, disaster recovery, identity, monitoring or extra capacity.

== Certifications ==
Microsoft offers a range of certifications for Azure, including the Azure Administrator Associate, Azure Developer Associate, and Azure Solutions Architect Expert certifications. These certifications are designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals working with Azure.
	== Pricing and Management ==
	Azure is mostly priced by resource use, such as compute time, storage consumed, data transfer, service tier and region. Reserved capacity, savings plans and enterprise agreements can change the effective cost.

== Community and Support ==
Azure has a large and active community of users and developers, who contribute to forums, blogs, and social media channels. Microsoft also offers a range of support options for Azure, including documentation, tutorials, and technical support.
	Good Azure management usually involves budgets, tags, access control, monitoring, backups, patching, network design and regular review of unused resources. Poor management can leave expensive services running or expose systems to avoidable security risks.

	== Business Importance ==
	Azure is central to Microsoft's cloud strategy. In Microsoft's 2025 annual report, the company said Azure surpassed 75 billion US dollars in revenue for the first time. Azure also supports Microsoft's broader cloud, developer, security and AI businesses.

	== See Also ==
	* [[Microsoft]]
	* [[SMTP_Server]]
	* [[GoDaddy]]

	== References ==
	* [https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-azure Microsoft Azure: What is Azure?]
	* [https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/products Microsoft Azure: Cloud products]
	* [https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/support/legal/ Microsoft Azure: Legal information]
	* [https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar25/index.html Microsoft: 2025 annual report]
	* [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/investor/earnings/fy-2026-q2/intelligent-cloud-performance Microsoft Investor Relations: FY26 Q2 Intelligent Cloud performance]

	[[Category:Cloud computing]]
	[[Category:Microsoft]]