Microsoft’s Azure and Amazon’s Web Services are two most popular choices for business cloud computing. AWS got a head start, commencing operations in 2006, whereas Azure entered the market 2010. While Amazon gained a large head start through early entry into the market, Azure is slowly bridging the gap. Both Azure and AWS offer scalable solutions from small to large enterprises.
AWS consists of 4 core features consisting of Compute, Storage & Content Delivery, Databases, and Networking, all core features can be accessed through admin controls. Azure covers these same bases, comprising of : Build infrastructure, Develop modern applications, Gain insights from data, and Manage identity and access.
A significant difference between AWS and Azure can occur within licencing, which can comprise a large proportion of implementation and ongoing costs. Neither AWS, or Azure offer a discount for existing on premise licences, for the vast majority products. However, many software licences provide an exception to this rule.
Both vendors outline the process on their respective sites; Amazon lists the eligible applications and lays out the process for signing up, and Microsoft outlines the process of determining license mobility on Azure through Software Assurance. It is worth discussing licencing considerations with your IT services provider prior to the commencement of cloud migration
Microsoft License Mobility on AWS
Microsoft License Mobility on Azure
Both vendors outline licencing process on their websites. However, It is worth discussing licencing considerations with your IT services provider prior to the commencement of cloud migration
Microsoft Azure has focused a large proportion of their resources within hybrid cloud technologies. Hybrid cloud in essence enables a combination of both onsite and cloud based IT infrastructure. Through the use of apps IT Managers can manage both local servers, in addition to offsite servers within the cloud. In comparison the majority of AWS infrastructure resides within their own public cloud infrastructure. It is within a hybrid cloud model in which Azure provides a significant advantage.
In terms of scalability Gartner IaaS Research Director Kyle Hilgendorf views AWS as having an advantage in large rapid deployments and scalability.
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