Benefits of Switching to Azure Active Directory
Azure Active Directory is Microsoft’s answer to managing the identities that access your network. It’s a single solution that provides a directory service, management of applications, and identity and role protection. Developers have used this tool for years to enforce user policies and rules, as well as to control access to applications. The latest change to Azure Active Directory is that it now can be run in the cloud.
Traditionally, this software has been run in an on-premise solution. But that is an expensive service to maintain, with businesses required to purchase not only the Active Directory software, but the servers, databases, storage, and network to run the platform. There are also administrative costs to contend with providing the service. Our engineering services team points out that one server can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $30,000. Beta News also reminds us that electricity costs, bandwidth restrictions, and cost, and the replacement of on-premise component parts are all things that many IT admins don’t calculate when deciding on Azure AD vs. on-premise.
“WITH ON-PREM, YOU TYPICALLY HAVE A LARGE
CAPITAL OUTLAY OF CASH TO PURCHASE BOTH
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE. THIS CAN PLACE A
STRAIN ON CORPORATE FINANCES AND CASH,
WHICH COULD TAKE AWAY FROM OTHER MORE
MISSION-CRITICAL INITIATIVES.” – INFOWORLD
To cloud or not to cloud has been the unifying question that businesses have been pondering for the last few years. But the annual RightScale survey points out that cloud adoption has grown exponentially and Azure adoption, in particular, is increasing rapidly with enterprise organizations. In the case of Azure Active Directory, there are four key benefits to moving to the cloud:
- Simplified Access – Devices can be managed off-site. There’s a self-service portal for resetting passwords and you’ll be able to skip reviewing employee devices on-site.
- Single Sign-on – With one identity you can sign on to thousands of SaaS applications.
- Multi-Factor Authentication – Improves security while reducing the time IT needs to spend on password-related tasks.
- Access Panel – In the cloud, you won’t need a VPN to access important data when off-site.
These are just some of the benefits when comparing Azure AD vs. on-premise. Now let’s talk about how to get started with Azure AD.
Kalleo is here to help you make the transition. Contact Us Today.
