Protecting Your Data: How to Back up a Virtual Machine in Azure
Backing up a virtual machine (VM) in Azure is a critical step in protecting your data. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you can ensure that your virtual machine is regularly backed up and your data is protected. Nonprofits can use this feature to safeguard their critical data and ensure that they can continue to serve their mission even in the face of a disaster.Let's talk about Azure Lab Services
With Azure Lab Services, users can easily provide on-demand or scheduled access to preconfigured virtual machines to support your scenarios. Teach a class, train professionals, run a hackathon, or host a hands-on lab—simply define your needs and the service will distribute the lab in the cloud to the recipients.How to Connect Remotely to A Virtual Machine in Microsoft Azure
At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here to learn more. Imagine it's midafternoon on a Friday. Your team lead needs you to spin up a windows virtual machine for testing purposes. You manage to spin up the virtual machine, however, Houston, there's a problem. You need to connect remotely since you are currently out of town. Whether you're debugging a deployment or testing a new app environment, remote access to virtual machines is a must-have skill. Microsoft Azure, a leading cloud services provider, offers a robust platform to deploy, manage, and connect to VMs. This guide presents a step-by-step walkthrough on how to connect to a VM in Azure using standard tools like Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and Secure Shell (SSH). Prerequisites Before proceeding, ensure the following requirements are met: ✅ An active Microsoft Azure subscription ✅ A pre-provisioned VM in Azure ✅ Admin credentials (username/password or SSH key) ✅ A stable internet connection ✅ Access to a terminal or RDP client What Are Virtual Machines? Virtual machines (VMs) are software-based computers that run inside physical computers. They function like physical computers, with their own CPU, memory, storage, and network connectivity, but exist only as code within a physical host machine. Azure is one of the largest cloud providers worldwide with host of services, boasting security at scale for your computing needs. In fact, Azure has many different Virtual Machine options from you to choose from. VMs are important in cloud computing for several reasons: Security: VMs are separated from the main computer, so any issues inside a VM won't affect the main system. Efficiency: Multiple VMs can run on one physical computer, saving space and reducing costs. Flexibility: VMs can run different programs and operating systems at the same time on the same physical computer. Scalability: VMs can be quickly added or removed based on need, making it easy to adjust resources. Cost Savings: Using VMs means fewer physical computers are needed, which lowers expenses. These benefits make VMs a key part of cloud computing, helping to create efficient, secure, and adaptable computing environments. Step 1: Access the Azure Portal Launch your preferred web browser. Navigate to https://portal.azure.com. Authenticate using your Microsoft Azure credentials. Note: The Azure Portal provides a centralized interface to manage your Azure resources, including networking, storage, and compute services. Step 2: Locate the Virtual Machine Resource Identify the Subscription under which the VM is deployed. Select the appropriate Resource Group that contains the VM. From the list of resources in the group, locate and click on the Virtual Machine you intend to access. On the VM's overview page, review critical information such as its name, region, and assigned IP address. Step 3: Verify VM Operational Status Within the VM overview page, confirm that the Status is set to Running. If the VM is stopped, select the Start option to initiate the instance. Step 4: Establish a Remote Connection Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows users to connect to another computer over a network connection. RDP provides a graphical interface to the user for remote interaction with the desktop of a remote system. It operates over TCP port 3389 and ensures encryption between the client and server during communication. RDP also supports features such as: Session redirection (printers, drives, and audio) Secure transmission using encryption and authentication protocols Efficient bandwidth usage by compressing data Understanding these capabilities is crucial for effectively managing and troubleshooting RDP connections, especially in enterprise environments. For Windows-based Virtual Machines (via RDP): Login to Azure Portal: https://portal.azure.com. Go to your Virtual Machine's overview page. Select Connect, then choose RDP. Ensure that the public IP address and port 3389 are accessible. If necessary, configure your Network Security Group (NSG) to allow inbound RDP traffic. Download the provided RDP file by clicking Download RDP File. Open the downloaded .rdp file using the Remote Desktop Client on your local machine. When prompted, enter the username and password you created when you deployed the Windows VM. For Linux-based Virtual Machines (via SSH): From the VM overview, click Connect and navigate to the SSH tab. Copy the autogenerated SSH command, which should look like: ssh -i ~/Directory saved/ssh/PRIVATE -KEY/VM-ADMIN-USERNAME/IP-ADDRESS Ex. ssh -i ~/ssh/id_rsa.pem/azureuser@PublicIPAddress Open a terminal (macOS/Linux) or PowerShell/Command Prompt (Windows). Paste and execute the SSH command. If applicable, provide the passphrase for your private key or the VM password. 5. Troubleshooting Tips Can’t connect via RDP/SSH? Double-check VM status (Running) Ensure correct IP and credentials Review NSG rules for open ports (3389 for RDP, 22 for SSH) Restart the VM if needed Dynamic IP changes? Consider reserving a static public IP address to avoid connection loss after reboots. SSH Key issues? Verify your key pair matches what was added to the VM Check file permissions (chmod 600 for private key on Linux/macOS) Cleaning Up Resources Once you're done working with your virtual machine, it’s important to clean up your resources to avoid unnecessary charges. Azure services are billed based on usage—even if you're not actively connected to the VM, you could still be charged for the compute, storage, and networking resources it consumes. Here’s how to properly shut things down: Option 1: Stop the VM (Preserves Configuration) Navigate to your VM’s overview page in the Azure Portal. Click the Stop button at the top. This shuts down the VM but keeps all associated resources (disks, IP addresses, etc.). Use this option if you plan to return to the VM later. Option 2: Delete the VM (Frees All Resources) From the VM overview page, click Delete at the top. Confirm the deletion when prompted. This removes the VM and associated compute charges but may leave behind other resources (e.g., disks, NICs, public IPs). To fully clean up: Go to the Resource Group where your VM was deployed. Review and delete any remaining resources you no longer need. Pro Tip: Always double-check which resources you're deleting—some may be shared across projects. 6. Best Practices for Secure VM Access ✅ Shut down unused VMs to reduce costs ✅ Use strong, unique credentials and SSH keys ✅ Avoid hardcoding secrets into scripts ✅ Enable Azure Bastion for browser-based secure access ✅ Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to limit user permissions ✅ Regularly rotate credentials and audit access logs Conclusion Connecting to a virtual machine in Azure is a foundational task for anyone working in cloud environments. In this guide, we walked through the essential steps—from accessing the Azure Portal and locating your VM, to establishing a secure connection using RDP for Windows or SSH for Linux. Along the way, we highlighted important best practices to ensure your access is both efficient and secure. Now that you’re comfortable connecting to a VM, you're ready to take the next step: creating and configuring your own virtual machines from scratch. What’s Next? In the next guide, we’ll explore provisioning new VMs in Azure, including choosing appropriate VM sizes, configuring network interfaces, and deploying software packages. Stay tuned as we dive deeper into cloud infrastructure management with Azure. Hyperlinks What Is a Virtual Machine and How Does It Work | Microsoft Azure Virtual machines in Azure - Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Learn Connect using Remote Desktop to an Azure VM running Windows - Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Learn Use SSH keys to connect to Linux VMs - Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft LearnAzure Virtual Desktop vs. Azure Virtual Machines: What's the Difference for Nonprofits?
At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here to learn more. So, What’s the Difference? Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD): Think of AVD like a Windows PC in the cloud—but more flexible. You can use it to host multi-user desktops for teams or set up dedicated, personalized desktops for individual users. Users log into their own familiar desktop from anywhere. You (or your IT partner) manage everything centrally—apps, updates, security. Whether it's one user or 100, AVD can scale to match. Great for: Teams who need secure, remote access to the same apps—and individuals who just want their own cloud-based Windows desktop they can use anywhere. Azure Virtual Machine (VM): An Azure VM is like having your own personal computer or server in the cloud. It’s flexible, powerful, and you control every detail—from the operating system to the installed software. Great for: Hosting apps, websites, or databases, or running tools that require a specific setup. Use Cases in the Nonprofit World Let’s bring this down to earth with some nonprofit-flavored examples. Azure Virtual Desktop Use Cases: 1. Remote Staff and Volunteers Need a Consistent Experience You’ve got staff and volunteers logging in from laptops, tablets, or home desktops. AVD gives them a secure, cloud-based desktop with all the nonprofit’s tools preloaded—Microsoft 365, donor CRM, finance software, you name it. 💡 "It worked on my computer, were you able to get it up on yours?" is officially canceled. Everyone gets the same setup. Single-user AVD is perfect here—each person gets their own desktop environment they can log into from anywhere, no matter what device they’re using. 2. Securing Sensitive Client Data If your nonprofit handles personal or health data—say, for client services or case management—AVD keeps that data in the cloud, not on personal devices. Even if someone loses their laptop, your data stays safe inside the virtual desktop. Whether it's one person or a whole department, AVD gives you strong security and peace of mind. Azure Virtual Machine Use Cases: 1. Running a Custom Database or Legacy App Still using a donor tracking system from 2006? (Hey, no judgment.) Spin up a VM with the exact OS and environment you need—without messing with your main network or other users. It’s like building a safe time capsule for that one tool you still depend on. 2. Hosting a Website or Internal Tool Want to host your nonprofit’s website or a private tool for grant tracking or board reporting? A VM gives you full control—no need to pay for a third-party host with limitations. A little more tech-savvy, but super powerful and customizable. So… Which One Should You Use? Here’s your cheat sheet: Feature Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) Azure Virtual Machine (VM) Designed for Multiple or single users One user or workload per VM Best for Remote desktops, secure access Servers, apps, or databases Cost-efficient when… You have remote staff or training needs You need dedicated computing resources Management Centralized for multiple users Per-VM basis User experience Familiar Windows desktop Fully customizable server/workload Wrapping It Up Whether you’re supporting a remote workforce, delivering training, running legacy apps, or hosting a website—Azure’s got the tools. Choose Azure Virtual Desktop if you want your team (or just one person) to access a secure, consistent Windows desktop from anywhere. Choose Azure Virtual Machines when you need full control for apps, websites, or one-off tech projects. Or hey, maybe you need both! Some nonprofits use AVD for staff and VMs for back-end systems. It’s all about picking the right combo for your mission.Tips & Tricks for Provisioning Virtual Machines on Azure
At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here to learn more. Why Deploy Virtual Machines? Last year, a small nonprofit focused on community health faced a challenge: they needed to test a new donor management system without risking their live database. With a tight budget and no room for error, they turned to Virtual Machines, and it changed everything. Virtual Machines (VMs) offer nonprofits a cost-effective, secure way to test new tools, deploy updates, and collaborate remotely without putting critical systems at risk. By creating isolated environments, VMs add an important layer of protection: if something goes wrong in one virtual machine, the issue stays contained, leaving the rest of the system safe. For nonprofits navigating tight budgets and big ambitions, VMs can be game changers. And the example above is just the beginning. In this guide, we’ll walk you through best practices for provisioning virtual machines and help you choose the right setup for your organization’s unique needs. Choosing The Right Size & Type Disclaimer: Pricing for Virtual Machines (VMs) can differ based on the region and is contingent upon availability. All listed prices are estimates and may be subject to change without prior notice. For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, please refer to the official pricing page. The information provided here is accurate as of April 2025. Azure offers a variety of VM series and sizes tailored to different use cases. Choosing the right one ensures you get enough performance without overspending. Here’s a quick overview of common VM types and when to use them: B-series (Burstable VMs) – Best for development, testing, or small workloads. These are low-cost VMs that accumulate credits when idle and burst (use full CPU) when needed. Ideal for scenarios that don’t need full CPU constantly, such as a low-traffic website, a small database, or a dev/test server. B-series VMs are very economical for nonprofits on a tight budget but not suited for sustained heavy CPU usage (they’ll slow down once burst credits are used up). D-series (General purpose) – Good for many production workloads. D-series VMs have a balanced mix of CPU, memory, and disk suitable for web servers, application servers, and databases in production. If you’re hosting a website or an app for your nonprofit and expect steady usage, a D-series (like D2s_v3 or D4s_v3) is a safe choice. They’re designed to handle most business workloads reliably. E-series (Memory optimized) – Use for memory-intensive applications. E-series have a higher memory-to-CPU ratio. These are great for large relational databases, in-memory analytics, or applications like SQL Server, SharePoint, or SAP that need a lot of RAM. A nonprofit likely uses these only if running big databases or data analytics programs that require extra memory. F-series (Compute optimized) – Use for CPU-intensive tasks. F-series provide a higher CPU-to-memory ratio. They are suited for workloads that need a lot of processing power but not as much RAM – for example, batch processing, scientific computations, or high-traffic application servers that perform intensive calculations. If your nonprofit does data analysis or simulations (say for research), an F-series might be fitting. Others (specialty VMs) – Azure also has specialized families: N-series (GPU) – for graphics-heavy or machine learning workloads (with NVIDIA GPUs). H-series (High Performance Computing) – for extremely compute-intensive tasks (like simulations). M-series (High Memory) – for extremely large memory needs (like very large databases). These are less common for typical nonprofit scenarios, but it’s good to know they exist if you have specialized needs (for example, an N-series VM could help a nonprofit that does AI-driven image processing or video rendering). Cost Management Tips Nonprofits often have limited budgets, so it’s important to optimize costs. Azure provides several ways to save money on VMs without sacrificing necessary performance: Start/Stop VMs and Auto-shutdown: Unlike on-premises servers, you pay for cloud VMs only while they’re running. If you don’t need the VM 24/7, shut it down when not in use (and deallocate it in Azure so you’re not billed for compute). Azure even has an auto-shutdown option to turn off the VM on a schedule (e.g., every night at 7 PM). This is great for dev/test or office-hours-only scenarios. (Note: Even when a VM is stopped, you still pay for the storage of its disk, but that cost is minimal.) Azure Spot Instances: For certain workloads, you can use Spot VMs to get huge discounts (up to 90% off) normal prices. Spot VMs allow Azure to use spare capacity – the trade-off is Azure can evict (stop) your VM if it needs that capacity back (with a 30-second warning). This is ideal for batch jobs, testing, or workloads that can handle interruptions. For example, if your nonprofit runs a large data analysis job overnight, a Spot VM could be very cost-effective. However, Spot VMs are not recommended for any critical or persistent service (like your main website) because they can be turned off unexpectedly. Reserved Instances: If you know you’ll need a VM continuously for a long period (one year or three years), consider Azure Reserved Virtual Machine Instances. You commit to a 1-year or 3-year term for a VM and in return get a significant discount (up to ~72% vs. pay-as-you-go prices). This works well for production servers that will be always on. You pay upfront (or yearly) for the reservation, which locks in the lower rate. Azure Hybrid Benefit: If you use Windows Server or SQL Server, you might already own licenses. Azure Hybrid Benefit allows you to apply existing licenses to Azure VMs and pay a lower rate (essentially, you’re not charged for the license again). Combining Reserved Instances + Hybrid Benefit can yield up to ~80% savings for Windows VMs. Nonprofits that have on-premises licenses or software assurance should investigate this. Scaling Strategically: Plan your deployment to scale efficiently: Scale Up vs Scale Out: Scaling up means increasing a VM’s size (more CPU/RAM) when needed, whereas scaling out means adding more VM instances. For example, if your nonprofit’s website is getting popular, you could scale up from a 2-core VM to a 4-core VM or scale out to two 2-core VMs behind a load balancer. Scaling out with multiple smaller VMs can be more cost-effective and offers redundancy (if one VM goes down, the others still serve the site). Azure has features like Virtual Machine Scale Sets that automatically add/remove VMs based on demand. Right-Size Your VM: It’s common to start with a smaller VM and only increase if needed. Azure Monitor (discussed later) can show if your VM is under heavy load. Conversely, if a VM is mostly idle, you might downgrade to a cheaper size. Azure Advisor will recommend cost optimizations such as shutting down underused VMs or rightsizing them. Use Free and Open-Source Software on Linux: If your workload can run on Linux, consider using Linux VMs to avoid Windows licensing costs. For instance, hosting a website with a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache, MySQL, PHP) on Ubuntu can be cheaper than running a Windows VM with IIS and MS SQL (due to license). We’ll talk more about Linux vs Windows soon. Azure Credits and Donations: As a nonprofit, check Microsoft’s programs for nonprofits. You may receive Azure credits or grants that can cover a portion of your costs. Always use those first! Additionally, using Azure Cost Management tools, you can set up a budget to get alerted if you approach a monthly spending limit – a good safety net for tight budgets. By combining these strategies, nonprofits can stretch their cloud budget significantly while still meeting their IT needs. Azure’s own guidance highlights that using reserved instances and existing licenses can drastically cut costs, and that spot instances offer deep discounts for flexible workloads. Conclusion In conclusion, you have a better understanding of how you can empower your organization to deploy Aure VMs. We covered what types of Virtual machine sizes and types to consider based on your needs. How you can weigh balancing cost and performance. You learned effective strategies on how you can save money with tips for cost management. If you would like to explore more about your options and perform a deep dive into materials, please see the links below to learn more. With careful planning, smart resource management, and Azure’s built-in tools, your organization can confidently build powerful, cost-effective cloud solutions. Hyperlinks Virtual Machine series | Microsoft Azure QuickStart - Create a Windows VM in the Azure portal - Azure Virtual Machines | Microsoft Learn What are Azure Reservations? - Microsoft Cost Management | Microsoft LearnSave Money on Deployment & Migration with Azure Hybrid Benefit
At the heart of this post is Kairos IMS, an innovative Impact Management System designed to empower human-serving nonprofits and social impact organizations. Co-developed by the Urban League of Broward County and our trusted technology partner, Impactful, Kairos IMS reduces administrative burdens, enhances holistic care, and enables organizations to leverage data for increased agility and seamless service delivery. In this blog series, we’ll take a closer look at the powerful technologies that fuel Kairos IMS, from Azure services to security frameworks, offering insight into how modern infrastructure supports mission-driven impact. Click here to learn more. Understand the process of claiming the Azure Hybrid Benefit. Reduce expenses and deploy at a lower cost. This guide will provide information on how to utilize the benefit effectively. How Nonprofits Can Utilize the Azure Hybrid Benefit Nonprofits often face the challenge of operating within tight financial constraints while striving to maximize impact. Balancing essential expenditures with critical investments can become even more complex when considering the adoption or expansion of cloud services. This is where the Azure Hybrid Benefit becomes a significant change, offering nonprofits an exceptional opportunity to optimize their IT budgets without compromising on scalability or performance. By leveraging this benefit, organizations can use their existing licenses for Microsoft software, such as Windows Server and SQL Server, to significantly reduce costs when deploying or migrating workloads to Azure. This not only streamline operations but also unlocks advanced technical capabilities, empowering nonprofits to focus their resources on driving their mission forward. In the following sections, we will delve into the step-by-step process for qualifying and claiming the Azure Hybrid Benefit, along with practical insights on maximizing its potential for nonprofit initiatives. Products & Services eligible for Azure Benefit Windows Server Standard (with active Software Assurance or valid subscription) Windows Server Datacenter (with active Software Assurance or valid subscription) SQL Server (leveraging existing licenses) Virtual Machines (require at least 8 core licenses for Standard or Datacenter per VM) Processor Licenses (equivalent to 16 core licenses) Did You Know? You can save up to 80% with Azure Hybrid Benefit on your workload. You will need to Deploy VMS from Azure Marketplace with the Windows Server images provided. You can convert a virtual machine using Azure Hybrid benefit to Pay-as-you-go for windows servers. If you need to learn more about Software Assurance and Volume Licensing Services Center, please see the following link: microsoft.com/Licensing/servicecenter/default.aspx. How To Qualify Software Assurance is a comprehensive Volume Licensing program. Software Assurance is only available through Volume Licensing and is purchased when you buy or renew a Volume Licensing agreement. This is one of the requirements unless you have an active subscription or Windows Server Standard or Windows Server Datacenter. To qualify for the Azure Hybrid Benefit please see the following: Azure License Windows Server Standard license or subscription with active Software Assurance. Windows Server Datacenter license or subscription with Software Assurance. You will need at least 8 core licenses for either Standard or Datacenter per VM. Processor Licenses are the same as 16 core licenses. With Azure Hybrid Benefit Windows Server and SQL Server customers can save up to 85% over standard pay-as-you go pricing. Use Azure Hybrid Benefit in Azure SQL platform as a service (PaaS) environment. SQL Server 1 to 4 vCPUs exchange: For every 1 core of SQL Server Enterprise Edition, you get 4 vCPUs of SQL Managed Instance or Azure SQL Database general purpose, or 4 vCPUs of SQL Server Standard edition on Azure VMs. Get 180 days of dual-use rights between on-premises and Azure. Usage Rights Windows Server Standard: Used either On-premises or in Azure (Hybrid) You cannot use both at the same time unless you are going to migrate your workloads to Azure. You can keep On-Premises for up to 180 days before you need to migrate to Azure. Windows Server Datacenter: You can simultaneously use Datacenter on both On-premises and in Azure indefinitely with VM licensing. Dedicated Host licenses let you use them both on-premises and in Azure, but only for 180 days after they are assigned to Azure. Unlimited Virtualization This means the right to use any number of Windows Server VMs on a host Windows Server Standard: Unlimited number of VMs hosted Azure with active Software Assurance or subscription for all physical core types. Windows Server Datacenter: Not available Azure Local Licenses Windows Server Datacenter with Enterprise Agreement (EA) with active Software Assurance or Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) subscription One license of Windows Server core license is equivalent to one physical core or Azure Local on servers in the Azure Local cluster. Use Rights License can only be used On-premises or on Azure local. Otherwise, you have 180 days to migrate your servers. Unlimited Virtualization Unlimited number of Windows Server can be deployed on the Azure Local cluster. Remember that each core license equals a physical core on the local cluster. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) License You will need at least Windows Server 2019 or later or Azure Local Must have one type of License or Subscription Windows Server Standard with Software Assurance or subscription. Windows Server Datacenter with Active Assurance Use Rights It can be used both on On-premises or in Azure. Unlimited Virtualization No: Only on Azure Local or Azure Azure Hybrid Cost Savings Organizations can achieve cost savings by leveraging the Azure Hybrid benefit, which allows them to reduce infrastructure expenses while hosting workloads on Azure. Windows Server VMs: Windows Server licenses are covered. You pay the base rate for the virtual machine. Azure Local: Fees are waived on Windows Server subscriptions and Azure Local host with unlimited virtualization rights. You pay for Azure local hardware, Azure services and workloads. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS): Azure Kubernetes clusters that run on both Azure Local and Windows Server free. However, Careful planning is essential when considering the migration of servers to the cloud. Without a well-thought-out strategy, organizations risk encountering unexpected costs, operational disruptions, and underutilized resources. Price estimations play a pivotal role in this process, allowing nonprofits and other entities to evaluate the total cost of ownership and make informed decisions. Accurate cost forecasting ensures that migration aligns with budgetary constraints while maximizing the value of cloud investments. By comparing pricing options and analyzing potential savings, organizations can identify the most sustainable path forward, ensuring that financial resources are directed toward impactful initiatives rather than unforeseen expenses. Reasons to Consider Cost efficiency: Optimize your budget by reducing hardware maintenance and operational costs. Scalability: Adapt IT infrastructure to meet changing demands without overprovisioning. Enhanced performance: Leverage advanced cloud technologies for better speed and reliability. Security improvements: Benefit from the robust security measures provided by cloud platforms. Focus on mission: Redirect saved resources toward achieving organizational goals. DISCLAIMER: All Azure-related cost estimations are approximate and intended for guidance only. Actual costs may vary depending on regional availability, selected services, and additional features. Users are encouraged to review specific pricing details to ensure alignment with their needs and budgets. Price Estimation & Calculator Portals Azure Hybrid Benefit Savings Calculator: Azure Hybrid Benefit - Hybrid Cost Calculator | Microsoft Azure Azure Windows Virtual Machines Pricing: Pricing - Windows Virtual Machines | Microsoft Azure Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS) Pricing: Azure Kubernetes Service on Azure Local pricing | Microsoft Azure Azure Local Pricing: Azure Local Pricing | Microsoft Azure Limitations Must have Software Assurance for Windows Server Standard or Windows Server Datacenter or you will need a subscription. If your Software Assurance or subscription expires you will need to renew your agreement before you can be eligible. Workloads can be deprovisioned without active subscription or Software insurance. Conclusion We have thoroughly discussed the initiation of Azure Hybrid Benefits. Additionally, we explored how it can provide financial savings during migration to Azure, utilize Azure locally, and select between on-premises or Azure workloads. Organizations can reduce their costs by up to 80%. By staying informed and proactive regarding subscription renewals and deployment options, they can ensure seamless operations and cost-effective solutions tailored to their requirements. It is advisable to delve deeper into these tools and advantages to maximize technological investments. Hyperlinks Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server | Microsoft Learn Azure Hybrid Benefit - Hybrid Cost Calculator | Microsoft Azure Volume Licensing Service Center
