What is Azure?
Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform comprised of more than 200 separate products and cloud services. Most organizations use Azure to host sites and applications in the cloud, or as part of a hybrid on-premises and cloud-based solution.
Is Azure pronounced AH-zhur, AZH-urh, or a-ZHUR?
You’ll hear it many different ways, but the most common is the third: a-ZHUR, with an emphasis on the second syllable.
Why is Azure Important?
Alongside AWS, Azure is one of the largest cloud computing platforms today. It offers a scalable solution for building, deploying, and managing services and applications from anywhere, with nearly infinite functionality to get up and running in the cloud.
Global Reach and Recovery
Global datacenters make Azure convenient for global organizations that need access from various locations. Plus, decentralized infrastructure gives organizations peace-of-mind with reliable backups and disaster recover functionality, especially for those that collect and store sensitive information.
Budget Friendly Flexibility
Like most solutions that offer Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, Azure is a “pay for what you use” solution, which makes it popular among both large and small businesses.
The Cloud on Your Terms
While most organizations are moving to more cloud-based technologies, many are still beholden to on-premises tech as well. Azure is built for the cloud, but it can also easily be used as part of a hybrid solution.
What is MFT?
Managed file transfer (MFT) is a type of solution that secures your files both during file transfer and at rest. Most MFT solutions automate your file transfer workflows, encrypt your files, and integrate with other popular security and efficiency tools. MFT often helps you centralize and consolidate your file movement both internally and with your trading partners.
Using Managed File Transfer with Azure
MFT software is an efficient and robust way to use secure FTP in Azure. Securing file transfers is GoAnywhere’s greatest strength, and when you pair Azure and GoAnywhere, you get you a secure FTP server solution that uses industry-standard technology (SFTP, FTPS, and HTTPS, among others), to protect your sensitive file transfers.
When you pair one of the greatest cloud computing platforms with a top-of-the-line managed file transfer solution, you get unparalleled protection for your data movement and storage. You can rest easy knowing your files are moving efficiently, being logged for later auditing, and most importantly, staying secured.
Option 1: Create an Azure Virtual Machine (VM) for GoAnywhere
Install and run a secure FTP server on Azure with GoAnywhere MFT. You can select either GoAnywhere for Microsoft or Linux from the Azure Marketplace and create a VM with GoAnywhere pre-installed within minutes.
Option 2: Secure FTP for Azure Blob Storage
Connect to your Azure storage accounts, including Azure Blob Storage, with GoAnywhere MFT.
Configure Azure Blog Storage in GoAnywhere to save time and gain security functionality. You can configure block type Blob storage as a Resource within GoAnywhere to route uploads, downloads, and general data management quickly and easily to the appropriate people and folders.
Option 3: Overall Data Security
GoAnywhere goes further than simply protecting your data from external threats. With LDAP and Active Directory integration, you can easily synchronize and authenticate users to ensure only authorized staff can view your files. And with multi-factor authentication (MFA), you can ensure that your data is protected by an additional security layer in the event that user credentials are compromised. And once logged in, role-based access and logging and auditing ensure that internal users are only accessing files relevant to their roles.
Secure Managed File Transfer and Microsoft
Outside of Azure, GoAnywhere MFT offers several ways to get the most out of secure FTP for Microsoft.
1. Run GoAnywhere on Windows
For one, you can run GoAnywhere on Windows (virtually or on-premises) if your organization is not fully committed to the cloud.
2. Server Connections
GoAnywhere can also import and export data to Microsoft SQL Server, among other databases. You can include SQL server tasks in Projects to automate your workflows, or simply store product configuration and audit log information.
3. Integrate Your Workflows with Cloud Connectors
GoAnywhere MFT’s secure FTP functionality also integrates easily with a variety of Microsoft tools via cloud integrations, called Cloud Connectors. Each Cloud Connector helps you integrate your file transfer projects and workflows as they move through various cloud apps and tools. Ready-made Cloud Connectors for Microsoft include:
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft SharePoint Online
- Microsoft SharePoint On-Premises
The GoAnywhere development team is always creating new connectors to best serve GoAnywhere customers.
4. Secure Your Email
GoAnywhere’s Secure Mail feature is a Microsoft Outlook plugin. With it, you can send secure packages to anyone with an email address. Secure Mail also provides a method to send ad-hoc large files.
5. File Synchronization
GoDrive for Windows lets your users share files without losing control of sensitive data. Files and folders are shared via advanced collaboration features including revision tracking, commenting, and synchronization between devices.
Get the Most Out of Azure — and MFT
Cloud computing platforms can keep your costs down – even more so when you combine your cloud service with GoAnywhere MFT. Curious about how MFT fits into your cloud setup or how to incorporate cloud services into your existing GoAnywhere instance? Chat with an expert, watch our most recent Azure webinar, or discover how GoAnywhere can meet your secure FTP requirements for Azure.
