Microsoft Azure managed services

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of services including virtual desktops, data storage, networking, and application hosting. It allows businesses to move their IT infrastructure to the cloud, making it more scalable, cost-efficient, and accessible from anywhere. Whether you're looking to run apps, store data, or enable remote working, Azure can support your business goals.

If configured correctly, Yes, Azure is one of the most secure cloud platforms available. Microsoft invests over $1 billion annually into cybersecurity and has a global team of security experts monitoring systems 24/7. It complies with industry standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, and many more. With built-in tools for threat detection, data encryption, and identity management, Azure helps you stay protected at every level.

Absolutely. Moving to Azure doesn’t mean losing control, it gives you more flexibility. You decide how your systems are configured, who has access, and what resources are deployed. With the right setup and managed support from a trusted partner like XC360, you’ll have full visibility and control over your cloud environment.

Azure offers many advantages, including: Scalability: Easily adjust your IT resources as your business grows. Cost-efficiency: Only pay for what you use, reducing hardware and maintenance costs. Remote access: Work from anywhere with secure access to your systems. Resilience: Built-in backup, disaster recovery, and uptime guarantees keep you operational. Integration: Seamlessly connects with Microsoft 365 and other tools you already use.

If you have the in-house technical capabilities, you can manage Azure yourself, or partner with a managed service provider like XC360 to handle everything from setup and configuration to ongoing monitoring, support, and optimisation. We take care of the technical complexity so you can focus on running your business.

Not if it’s planned properly. At XC360, we manage the entire migration process with minimal disruption. We assess your current environment, plan the move, test everything, and then migrate your systems in phases to ensure business continuity.

Azure eliminates the need for on-site servers and hardware, reducing capital expenditure. You pay for the resources you use, which makes it easier to control costs. We help you choose the right licensing and configuration to get the most value for your investment, but if left unmanaged costs can escalate quickly.

While Azure is a Microsoft platform, it’s built to support open-source tools, third-party apps, and hybrid environments. That means you’re not locked in. Azure gives you flexibility, not restriction, and supports a wide range of technologies and integrations.

In most cases, yes. Azure is designed to integrate with common business software, including Microsoft 365, Active Directory, ERP systems, CRMs, and industry-specific apps. We assess your current setup and ensure smooth integration during the migration process.

While it's rare to move away from Azure once the benefits are clear, it is possible to migrate to another environment if needed. We ensure your data remains accessible and portable. The key is designing the right solution from the start, so your cloud environment works for your business now and in the future.

Yes, since Microsoft Azure is a cloud-based platform, internet access is required to connect to your systems and data. However, there are solutions to reduce the impact of any outages. We recommend having a reliable primary internet connection, backed by a secondary (failover) connection to ensure business continuity. For critical operations, we can also implement hybrid solutions that allow key applications or data to be cached or stored locally, so your team can keep working even if the internet goes down temporarily. With the right setup, we make sure your business remains resilient and productive, online or off.