Microsoft Azure offers hundreds of services, but a handful cover most small business needs.

Identity and security

– Microsoft Entra ID: identity for Microsoft 365 and thousands of apps, with MFA and Conditional Access

– Azure Key Vault: secure storage for secrets, keys, and certificates

– Microsoft Defender for Cloud and Microsoft Sentinel: security posture management and a cloud-based security monitoring (SIEM) platform

Compute and desktops

– Azure Virtual Machines: run Windows or Linux servers in the cloud

– Azure Virtual Desktop: hosted desktops and apps accessible from anywhere

– Azure App Service: host websites and web applications without managing servers

Storage and data

– Azure Files: cloud file shares, usable with a traditional file-share experience

– Blob storage: low-cost storage for documents, backups, and archives

– Azure SQL: managed database service

Protection and recovery

– Azure Backup: cloud backup for virtual machines, files, and databases

– Azure Site Recovery: replicates servers to Azure for disaster recovery

Networking

– Virtual networks, VPN gateways, and firewalls to connect offices and secure traffic

Monitoring and management

– Azure Monitor: collects performance and health data

– Cost Management: budgets, alerts, and spend analysis

Canadian data residency

Azure offers Canadian regions (Canada Central in Toronto and Canada East in Quebec City), which helps businesses that want data kept in Canada. Confirm that your configuration actually keeps data in the chosen regions.

Tips

– Start small, with one or two services that solve a clear problem

– Use tags and budgets from day one

– Apply security baselines before moving critical workloads

– Use a partner for design if you’re new to Azure

DBR Soft helps businesses adopt Azure services safely and economically. Contact us for more information.