Cloud computing has taken over businesses as it brings incredible solutions to the tech hurdles almost every business faces. You might be amazed to know that back in 2021, nearly 74 percent of companies from around the globe integrated cloud computing services into their interface. However, the number of small to mid-sized businesses was relatively low compared to large-sized companies—mainly because of their limited IT budgets.

It's time that small businesses start using cloud computing because it will only bring them benefits without causing a strain on their finances. Otherwise, their business will stay behind because it's critical to keep up with evolving technology trends. So far, the best cloud computing products are Azure tools by Microsoft.

They are indeed an excellent opportunity for businesses of every scale, which is why we decided to come forward with the top 10 Azure tools that you must use to surge business growth.

What is Microsoft Azure?

Microsoft offers more than 200 tools via its Azure cloud platform. In simpler words, Microsoft Azure is a platform that provides businesses with an opportunity to build and operate their interface without the necessity of having their own server space. It not only provides an unbounded capacity for businesses to grow but also lifts the burden of spending substantial sums on hardware and internet bandwidths.

On top of that, the security that comes along with cloud computing is exceptional, and ultimately, it frees company owners from the hassle of keeping a record of their data. From web servers and email servers to databases and user directories, there's nothing left that Microsoft Azure cannot take care of. So yes, Microsoft Azure is an extraordinary advancement in technology that has made running a business effortless and unchallenging like never before.

Source: Saviant, 10 reasons why to choose Azure for your Enterprise (saviantconsulting.com)

The 10 best Azure Tools

By now, you must be intrigued to know about the 10 best Azure tools that can completely transform your small business dynamic. It would not be wrong to say that these tools can pave the road towards upscaling your business size. So, without any further due, let's begin discussing those Microsoft Azure products that your business has been missing out on.

1.    Azure Storage Explorer

One of the biggest struggles companies witness while running their business is managing and storing large amounts of data. If yours is also one of those companies, then Azure Storage Explorer is all you need. Organized and secured data storage is critical for the progress of any enterprise, and Azure Storage Explorer can make it effortless for you.

Main features: Seamless graphical user interface along with the options of creating, viewing, and editing your data resources/blob storage.

Accessibility: Adjustable sizes of UI elements, light and dark contrast themes with various shortcut keys, and windows commands.

Compatibility: This tool is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Added benefits: It allows users to work even when offline through local emulators to ensure that their productivity is not compromised.

2.    Azure Pipelines

Being a business owner means you can't escape the hassle of coding and automations because it's the core interface of any enterprise. Mainly, it's a challenge for small businesses as they cannot afford to hire a team of IT experts. That's where we have got your back with a tool named Azure Pipelines.

Main features: Azure Pipelines offers swift and quality coding to automate software and projects in the fastest way possible. Implementation of Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Delivery (CD) enable frequent deployments, monitoring of bugs in the initial stages, and top-notch execution.

Accessibility: Scalable automation for apps in the cloud and on-premises as well. On top of that, it gives freedom to users for opting the test frameworks according to their preferences.

Compatibility: Its diverse compatibility makes it possible to work with any language and platform, including Python, Java, PHP, and C++.

Added benefits: Supports open-source projects and deploys multiple targets simultaneously.

3.    Azure Boards

The point where the downfall of a business starts is when you are unable to track your code defects and critical issues. Azure Boards is the tool that you need in order to be proficient and smart beforehand. No wonder businesses are benefiting so much from Azure tools that, so far, almost 15,700 products and services have been launched.

Main features: A hub of customizable tools to track bugs, make interactive boards, produce productive calendar views, organize work items, and so on.

Accessibility: Pin virtual sticky notes to your monitor and keep your team on track. Generate a backlog hierarchy and query charts to set priorities for team members.

Compatibility: It allows cross-platform compatibility by linking with GitHub commits.

Added benefits: Improve workflows through configurable dashboards and analyze trends via Power BI reports.

4.    Azure Backup

One of the crucial things that every small business should take care of is backing up their data securely. You can never know when your data could get corrupted due to a virus, and you end up losing every vital thing that's the essence of your business. So, it's better to get your hands on Azure Backup, which allows you to back up and recover data in the simplest way.

Main features: Back up your on-premises assets directly into the cloud without getting into complex deployment procedures. On top of that, specially designed recovery services vaults allow for retention of short-term and long-term data.

Accessibility: Effortless scalability, built-in monitoring capabilities, and ability to organize isolated backups.

Compatibility: Advanced compatibility with multiple storage options, including zone-redundant, geo-redundant, and locally redundant storage plans.

Added benefits: Built-in preventative measures and tools that protect against ransomware attacks and an instant data backup occurs if an unwarned breach is witnessed.

5.    Azure Active Directory

Multiple apps require multiple sign-ins, which substantially halts the productivity of employees by wasting their time. That is why you need to add Azure Active Directory to your business tools.

Main features: Access external and internal corporate apps via customizable single sign-on for each employee and application proxies.

Accessibility: Self-service password resets, access to cloud apps, smart lockout, and impeccable hybrid identity features.

Compatibility: This tool runs in compliance with Microsoft Windows only.

Added benefits: High-end security among multiple platforms with business modernization and passwordless authentication.

Source: Microsoft Learn, Integrate on-premises AD domains with Azure AD - Azure Architecture Center | Microsoft Learn

6.    Azure Test Plans

Creating an app is an elaborate and hectic task but testing that app to ensure a smooth user experience is exceptionally tedious and involves apprehension. However, the sixth azure tool on our list, i.e., Azure Test Plans, will make app testing effortless for you.

Main features: Manual and exploratory testing with browser-based solutions to ensure user acceptance and meeting customer requirements.

Accessibility: Automated testing, end-to-end traceability, built-in widgets, and access to progress monitoring.

Compatibility: It works with all supported platforms/browsers along with cross-platform compatibility with other Azure tools like Azure Pipelines.

Added benefits: Collect data in the form of screenshots, screen recordings, image action logs, and code coverage while running manual tests.

7.    Azure Blob Studio

One thing that makes small businesses stay behind is their inability to find stand-alone tools. Such tools are great as they don't need to be bundled with any individual software. Azure Blob Studio is an unparalleled example of stand-alone tools from which every business must benefit.

Main features: Retrieve metadata and URLs to upload and remove multiple blobs simultaneously.

Accessibility: Local developer and cloud-based accounts allow for effortless management of files on individual Blob storage interfaces.

Compatibility: A stand-alone tool that does not require compliance with any other platforms or software.

Added Benefits: Get access to blobs via URLs and generate customizable containers/folders.

8.    Azure API Management

API is the foremost advancement in technology, and businesses from around the globe have started streamlining their interface through API management. It's about time your business stepped into the advancements of technology through Azure API Management.

Main features: Builds apps swiftly via automated API documentation, revisions, and versioning. Benefit from API mocking by decoupling front and back-end teams.

Accessibility: Transform your existing interface into an advanced API-based facade and get solutions to back-end services.

Compatibility: Works in compliance with Azure, cloud, and on-premises platforms

Added benefits: A single IP/domain provides coverage for all APIs with flexibility and improved latencies for caching.

9.    Azure Repos

Version control systems are an excellent innovation for enterprises of every scale. An extraordinary product of such version control systems is Azure Repos. We ensure that once you start using this tool, there's no going back.

Main features: Whether you are working offline or remotely, this tool constantly tracks your codes to keep a record of modifications from time to time.

Accessibility: Keep everything organized by fixing bugs and generating new features as per individual requirements.

Compatibility: This tool beholds full-fledged compliance with Windows and Mac.

Added benefits: An automated integration keeps a record of every version so that you can get access to older versions whenever it's needed.

10. Azure Pricing Calculator

All the tools that we mentioned above will have no benefit for you if you can't manage their costs. That's where Azure Pricing Calculator comes into play. This calculator will assist you in optimizing your costs for Azure products and services in the easiest way possible.

Main features: Get real-time estimations for the costs of various Azure tools and modify the estimations as per your requirements.

Accessibility: Compare prices and get to know what different tools offer with links that are directed to the product pages.

Compatibility: This tool works on the interface of cloud computing.

Added benefits: Customize services, re-evaluate your choices, and get insights about cost breakdown.

Conclusion

Azure tools have revolutionized the way businesses operate. It wouldn't be wrong to say that they play a crucial role in the success of any enterprise. The businesses that don't start benefiting from these tools will always lag behind because it's essential to keep up with the regularly evolving technology trends. Lastly, you have to make sure that you make use of every tool in an efficient yet productive way.