Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines

Azure Virtual Machines provide on-demand, scalable computing resources in the cloud, supporting Windows and Linux operating systems with a wide range of VM sizes optimised for different workload types. From general-purpose instances for web servers and development environments to compute-optimised VMs for high-performance applications and GPU instances for AI/ML training, Azure offers the right size for every need.

Azure VMs support familiar tools and workflows — organisations can use the same OS images, management scripts, and configuration management tools they use on-premise. Azure Marketplace offers thousands of pre-configured images including database servers, application stacks, and security appliances that can be deployed in minutes. For workloads requiring dedicated hardware, Azure Dedicated Hosts provide single-tenant physical servers.

Advanced features include Azure Spot VMs that offer up to 90% cost savings for interruptible workloads, Reserved Instances for predictable long-running workloads with up to 72% savings, and Azure Hybrid Benefit that allows organisations to use existing Windows Server and SQL Server licences on Azure. Virtual Machine Scale Sets automatically adjust capacity based on demand.

Xcobean architects Azure VM deployments for East African organisations, including right-sizing analysis, availability set and zone design, backup and disaster recovery configuration, and cost optimisation through reserved instances and hybrid benefit programmes.