Did you know?

1. Windows Azure supports your environment beyond just your Microsoft technology? Windows Azure supports heterogeneous environments. Just a couple of examples include the ability to develop, test, and deploy Oracle DB, WebLogic, Java, and Oracle Linux on Azure and pay by the hour while getting full support from Oracle, as well as the ability to move Linux Virtual Machines to Windows Azure. Learn more here and try it here.
2. You can leverage Windows Azure for Big Data solutions in the cloud?  Our HDInsight services provides ease of management, agility, and an open, Enterprise-ready Hadoop service in minutes at a fraction of the cost of setting up and administering your own Hadoop cluster.
3. Azure customers are reducing Storage TCO by 60%-80%
   1. More than half of Fortune 500 companies are using Windows Azure and our storage has over 8.5 trillion objects.
   2. Import and export large amounts of data from various sources to the cloud. We’ll do the heavy lifting and help you save money and time.
   3. Consolidate primary, archive, backup, and disaster recovery using the Microsoft StorSimple Hybrid Cloud Storage solution, a single appliance that seamlessly integrates with Windows Azure,
   4. Encrypt your data with Windows Azure backup (only you have the key), while allowing you to backup and recover your server data to/from the cloud. It is suitable for any workload, including file servers, SharePoint, SQL, Exchange and others.
4. Microsoft has the most mature and comprehensive Hybrid Cloud platform? This includes the ability to leverage a single pane of glass to manage and automate your infrastructure, and move Virtual Machines between your On Premises infrastructure to the Cloud (Windows Azure) at will. Additionally Windows Azure Hyper-V Recovery Manager protects virtualized workloads by coordinating the replication of applications and orchestrating their recovery. Learn more here and try it here. 
5.  There are many additional ways to utilize Windows Azure that deliver immediate value to your business?  Examples include:
   1. Dev/Test: Using Windows Azure you can rapidly provision new infrastructure and streamline Development and Test processes to reduce time to market for new products and services
   2. Identity: Leveraging Windows Azure Active Directory for cross premises identity management including multi-factor authentication – ADFS in the Cloud
   3. SQL Server: Improve business continuity by backing up SQL Server instances to Windows Azure with a single click
   4. Sharepoint: Enjoy elastic Opex (pay for use) benefits by outsourcing a broad range of workloads such as Sharepoint to Windows Azure
   5. High Availability: Improve HA Disaster Recovery for applications and services by leveraging Windows Azure as another key layer of Disaster Recovery 

The IT Leader's Guide to Multicloud Readiness

This guide provides practical key insights and important factors to consider to make informed decisions in your multicloud journey.

Download the Guide

Security/Compliance concerns? Visit our Windows Azure Trust Center to see what Microsoft is doing to maintain a leadership role in security, privacy, and compliance practices, including PCI compliance