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Azure Cloud Development
Cloud architecture for organisations already standardised on the Microsoft ecosystem, where that integration is the real deciding factor.
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What Microsoft Azure is
Microsoft Azure is a major public cloud platform, and for organisations already standardised on Microsoft tooling — Active Directory, Microsoft 365, existing enterprise agreements — it is frequently the path of least resistance rather than a choice made on technical merit alone.
Core capability (compute, storage, databases, networking) is broadly comparable across the major cloud providers. The deciding factor for Azure specifically is usually organisational: existing licensing, identity management, and compliance tooling already built around it.
Suitability
And when it is not. Choosing the wrong tool costs more than any implementation detail.
Good fit for
- Organisations already using Active Directory or Microsoft 365 for identity and access management
- Enterprises with existing Microsoft enterprise agreements where Azure consumption has direct licensing advantages
- Projects needing tight integration with other Microsoft enterprise tooling
Consider alternatives for
- Greenfield projects with no existing Microsoft ecosystem dependency, where the choice of cloud provider should be made on its own technical and cost merits
In practice
01
Enterprise cloud migration
Migrating or extending systems for organisations already standardised on Azure and the broader Microsoft ecosystem.
02
Identity-integrated applications
Applications needing tight integration with an organisation's existing Active Directory or Microsoft 365 identity setup.
Considerations
Practical notes from running this in production.
- 01
Our direct production experience is primarily on AWS; Azure engagements are scoped around a client's existing Microsoft ecosystem requirements and evaluated for fit during discovery, not assumed as a default.
- 02
Cost structures and service naming differ enough from AWS/GCP that a team moving between providers needs genuine ramp-up time, not just a one-to-one service mapping.
FAQ
Should we choose Azure over AWS?
If your organisation is already standardised on Microsoft tooling — Active Directory, Microsoft 365, an existing enterprise agreement — Azure is usually the path of least resistance. Without that existing dependency, the choice should be made on technical fit and cost for the specific project rather than brand familiarity.
Does MI have production experience with Azure?
Our direct production experience is primarily on AWS. We can architect and deliver on Azure where a client's existing Microsoft ecosystem makes it the right choice, scoped and verified during discovery like any other engagement — we are straightforward about this rather than overstating depth we don't have.
How long does a Microsoft Azure development project take?
It depends on scope. A focused first release is usually weeks rather than months, while larger platforms are delivered in phases. We give a written estimate after a short discovery conversation and agree milestones before work starts.
How is Microsoft Azure development work priced?
We work either to a fixed scope with agreed milestones or on a time-and-materials basis, whichever suits how well the requirements are known. You receive the estimate and its assumptions in writing before committing.
Who owns the code and the intellectual property?
Ownership terms are agreed in writing before work begins, so there is no ambiguity about what you receive and what you may reuse.
By industry
Where we apply Microsoft Azure. Tiles marked "Guide" open a dedicated write-up; the rest open the industry page.
Let’s talk about your Microsoft Azure project
Tell us what you are trying to build or fix. We will come back with scope, approach and an honest view on cost and timeline.