Microsoft Azure

Microsoft’s Azure is a cloud environment that lets anyone build, deploy or manage apps and services on a consumption basis…

so you only pay for it when you use it.

Azure users can use the platform to:

run virtual machines
host database
backup data
and much more

It is a flexible, scalable and powerful enterprise grade solution that with a little help from Minerva you can deliver at SMB prices.

We can walk you through how it works, some typical uses and how to achieve your business’ objectives.

Did You Know?

95%

of Fortune 500 companies trust their business on Azure

$1 billion per year

Microsoft’s investment per year in security to protect customers’ data from cyber threats

Flexible | Scalable | Powerful

an enterprise grade solution that is delivered at SMB prices

How Minerva Can Help

As Microsoft Gold Partners, the team at Minerva are Microsoft Azure experts. Our initial consultation will entail a thorough review of your business, your future plans, budget and expectations and together we can create a bespoke Azure package built around your business needs.

In addition to this, Minerva will:

Manage the migration from on-premise solutions to Azure cloud services
Azure database migration services, e.g. Microsoft SQL, or migrate mySQL to Azure
Take care of the back-ups
Control the security and access
Train key personnel, and
Provide support during and post implementation

Benefits

Management

The responsibilities will vary depending on whether the workload is hosted on Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), or an on-premises data centre.

If you go for an on-premises data centre, the responsibility is solely yours, however for the other hosted options, responsibility will be shared between yourselves, Minerva and Microsoft. Physical hosts, physical network and physical data centres will all be managed by Microsoft with the SaaS, PaaS and IaaS options

As the data belongs to the customer, this is solely their responsibility. Where noted as customer’s responsibility, Minerva will assist and guide, and the data will always remain the customers’.

Accessibility

As no on-premise server infrastructure is required, users can be based anywhere in the world.

Scalability

Simply just purchase more cloud services or storage space as your business grows and pay only for what you use .

No Upfront or Cancellation Costs

You are only required to page per usage, there is no upfront costs or any additional charges if downgrading.

Cost-Effective

As you only pay for what you need, Azure is very cost-effective.

No Hardware Refresh Required

As everything is stored in the cloud, there is no on premise hardware to manage to support deployed services.

Integration

Microsoft Azure can integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Modern Workplace and beyond.

Durable

Data is replicated several times across highly resilient hardware, and even between data centres (on demand).

What We Have Done for Our Clients

Many of our customers are already reaping the benefits of Azure. If you would like us to explain in more detail how we have helped them individually, or even put you in touch to review from a reference standpoint, then we are more than happy to help.

These clients are from a variety of industries and include:

An Online Distributor of Classic Auto Parts

This client had already embraced the move to cloud for their centralized systems but needed a trusted Microsoft Partner to assist them with day-to-day maintenance and support. Minerva has successfully taken this on, as well as still providing a more traditional onsite responsive service to address any local desktop hardware issues as they arise.

A National Grass Roots Development Charity

Again, burdened with ageing infrastructure and the need to support an increasingly mobile and distributed workforce, without the dependence upon a centralized head office, Minerva assisted to migrate some existing systems, and provision new centralized finance function within Azure.

A Not-For-Profit Organisation

This client had ageing infrastructure but retained a need for centralized and flexible systems to support a distributed workforce. Working with Minerva we completed a data migration from on premise to Azure cloud and Microsoft 365. They run a remote desktop server (terminal server) in the cloud and everything is securely accessed from there.

One of The World’s Most Prestigious Sporting and Members Clubs

When we originally engaged, the client was in contract with a third party data centre with little scope for change. Minerva consulted with the client to seamlessly migrate their critical line of business applications across to Azure with little to no downtime for a business that runs around the clock. They now have the flexibility and scope to dynamically change systems to suit their changing needs with no constraint from on premise hardware at the core, as their systems reside on a data centre infrastructure.

So, if you are considering any on premise to cloud migrations, then please contact us as we can help!

Features

Cloud Storage

Azure offers a cloud storage service, with regular off-site backups. Based around accessibility, different tiers are available including hot, cool and archive.
Data stored in the hot tier are easily accessible but slightly more costly than the other tiers.

Secure Storage Account

Data can be stored at different levels based around your accessibility needs. Storing data that is to be ‘archived’ and not needed frequently will be cheaper to store than data that is required more frequently. During out initial consultation, we will analyse your current situation and requirements and design a tailored, cost-effective package based around your accessibility needs.

Azure File Services

This is a serverless file store which works in the same way as a file server and is located and accessed directly off the cloud. This can work in tandem with any local physical file server resource with the latest files being cached to a local server for faster access.

SAAS (Software as a Service)

Azure is subscription based and no upfront cost is required. A subscription is required to access the software. This makes it easily scalable allowing to add or remove resources as the business’ requirements change.

Azure Active Directory

Azure AD is an enterprise identity service that provides single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, allowing your users to securely access resources and applications from your intranet and public networks.

Azure Back-Ups

Regular, automatic back-ups take place to ensure the most recent data is backed up and stored safely and securely.

Azure SQL Database (Structured Query Language)

Azure SQL Database is an up-to-date, fully managed relational database service which has been built for the cloud. Many leading business applications rely upon Microsoft SQL as one of the most popular databases within the market.

Data Centres

Azure data centres contain groups of networked computer servers. Azure has more data centres located around the world than any of its competitors.

Secure Access

Cyber security prevention and response is both the responsibility of Microsoft and the end users. Azure provides a high-level of security embedded into their applications, but users must also have a level of knowledge and awareness to ensure complete protection. As always, Minerva can help.

Hosted Virtual Machines (VM’s)

Azure hosted virtual machines (VM) is an on-demand, scalable computing resource. VM allows you to host multiple PCs, without needing the finance or space to pay for several servers. It’s an ideal solution for companies that have implemented a hybrid working model. The number of VMs that your application uses can scale up and down to meet demand.

Options/Packages

Microsoft offer different options based on customer requirements on the following:

Data Location – Where the data is located

Replication – How many times the data is replicated in case of unexpected incident

Resilience – Local replication or geo replication – Choosing whether to back up locally, within the UK (local replication) or globally, outside the UK (geo replication)