Empowering Charity and Not-for-Profit Organisations with Microsoft Azure
In the digital age, non-profit organisations are increasingly turning to technology to enhance their work, reach, and impact.
Microsoft Azure emerges as a beacon of support, offering a suite of tools and services tailored to meet the unique needs of non-profits. With the Azure cloud platform, these organisations can leverage advanced artificial intelligence (AI), streamline operations, and secure their data, all while maintaining cost efficiency.
One of the most significant advantages for non-profits is the Azure Grant, which provides verified organisations with $2,000 in annual credits. This initiative allows non-profits to explore the vast potential of the cloud without financial constraints, fostering innovation and creating opportunities to advance their missions.
Azure Cloud Migration and Modernisation Centre
The transition to the cloud is made effortless with the Azure Cloud Migration and Modernisation Centre, which simplifies the shift from on-premises infrastructure. This not only reduces operational costs but also allows non-profits to reallocate resources towards their core objectives, thereby maximising their impact.
Understanding that transitioning to Azure can be a new experience for many organisations, Microsoft offers a complimentary Azure Onboarding Concierge service which provides personalised assistance to non-profits new to Azure or in need of a refresher.
A customer success manager reaches out within a week of a request to help set up the grant subscription, advise on governance and cost management, and provide resources for deploying Azure workloads effectively.
Moreover, the integration of Azure with other Microsoft products creates a cohesive ecosystem that enhances productivity and collaboration. Non-profits can benefit from cost-saving options like reservations and the Azure Hybrid Benefit, as well as extended security updates for legacy systems.
Migrating to Azure offers a plethora of benefits for non-profits:
- Cost Savings: Non-profits can take advantage of discounted Azure services by purchasing one-year or three-year reservations. They can enjoy monthly payment options at no extra cost and maximise savings by combining reservations with the Azure Hybrid Benefit, covering all costs outside the yearly credits [5[3].
- Energy Efficiency: The Microsoft cloud is up to 93 percent more energy-efficient than traditional enterprise data centres, aligning with non-profits' commitment to environmental sustainability [5[3].
- Azure Hybrid Benefit: Non-profits can significantly reduce the cost of running workloads in the cloud by transitioning on-premises Software Assurance-enabled Windows Server and SQL Server licenses to Azure [5[3].
- Improved Agility: Azure's scalable computing meets current and future global business demands, allowing organisations to meet unpredictable demands cost-effectively and without the need for detailed forward planning.
- Operational Resilience: Azure provides state-of-the-art managed backup, disaster recovery, and firewalls, along with 24/7 real-time monitoring and fully redundant hardware and services that can be easily mirrored across highly robust locations geographically.
- Operational Efficiency: Migrating to Azure allows non-profits to lean on demand IT resources, removing IT infrastructure which provides better utilisation of IT staff and predictable regular billing, turning CAPEX to OPEX.
By embracing Azure, non-profits can focus more on their core mission, secure in the knowledge that their operations are supported by a robust, secure, and cost-effective cloud platform.
In essence, Microsoft Azure, coupled with the expertise of partners like Wanstor, empowers non-profit organisations to innovate, scale, and secure their operations, driving their missions forward more effectively than ever before.
FAQ’s
What is Azure subscription?
A: An Azure subscription is essentially an account with Microsoft’s cloud platform, which allows you to create, manage, and pay for services like databases and virtual machines. It’s like a membership for using Azure’s cloud services.
what is Microsoft Azure used for?
A: Microsoft Azure is essentially a digital toolbox, offering a suite of cloud-based tools and services. It’s designed to help you create, deploy, and manage applications through Microsoft-managed data centres globally. Think of it as a virtual workshop for all your computing needs.
what are Windows Azure platform?
A: The Windows Azure platform, now known simply as Microsoft Azure, is a collection of cloud services for building, deploying, and managing applications through Microsoft’s global network of data centres. It provides a wide range of cloud services, including those for computing, analytics, storage, and networking.