Understanding the Basics: Azure and AWS

Azure: The Microsoft Strategy

As a product of Microsoft, Azure has made significant inroads in businesses across the globe. Microsoft Azure was introduced with a specific strategy in mind, and that was to offer a comprehensive platform that could serve both as an Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), a Platform as a Service (PaaS), and a hybrid of both. While other service providers only focus on providing one or the other, Azure’s strategic decision to offer both has given it an advantage with businesses wanting to have a mixed approach with public, private and hybrid cloud services.

AWS: Amazon's Web Services Expansion

On the other hand, Amazon Web Services (AWS) is Amazon’s own cloud computing juggernaut. What started as an internal project to manage their online retail operations, has now exploded into a multi-billion-dollar entity on its own. Its services offer a robust and flexible infrastructure to allow companies to move at a faster operational speed. AWS' broad set of global cloud-based products include storage, databases, analytics, networking, mobile, developer tools, management tools, IoT, security and enterprise applications.

Common Ground: IaaS Overlap

Both Azure and AWS offer similar IaaS capabilities for virtual networks, virtual machines, and storage. However, the approach to these services may differ for each. For example, AWS’ storage services are object-based while Azure uses Block Storage. Each approach has its own benefits and limitations, but in general, both services offer high-capacity, low-cost data storage solutions.

Comparing Azure vs. AWS: Services and Performance

Azure Services and Performance

Microsoft Azure displays a strong commitment to service availability. It offers a 99.95% uptime guarantee for its services along with 24/7 tech support and service health monitoring. Azure services revolve around its windows platform, offering great support for .net programming and active directory. Azure's biggest strength lies in its PaaS capabilities and seamless integration with other Microsoft products and services.

AWS Services and Performance

Amazon AWS scores highly on performance, offering impressive speed and capabilities. AWS provides a broad range of services with a total of 175 across various domains. It provides high computing power and larger server capacity. Like Azure, AWS promises a 99.95% uptime and has a consistent track record of delivering on its promise. AWS's major strength is its dominant market presence and diverse customer base that extends across different industries.

Benchmark Comparison

In terms of services and performance, AWS might have a slight edge. There are numerous public benchmark tests that show AWS with consistently better provisioning times and speed. However, Azure is closing in and has shown marked improvements in recent years. It's worth noting though that the difference in these performance metrics may not have a significant impact on most businesses. Ultimately, choosing between the two might come down to other factors like pricing, support, and specific business requirements.

Deciding Factors: Pricing, Support, and Specific Requirements

Understanding Cloud Pricing Strategies

Azure and AWS follow a similar pricing strategy. Both charge their customers on an on-demand basis, that is, they charge per hour. However, Azure's billing is on a per-minute basis, which provides a more precise pricing model than AWS.

Support Plans and Customer Service

In terms of technical support, both Azure and AWS offer a range of plans. These start at basic levels offering user forums and resource FAQs to higher-level plans that include 24/7 phone support, quicker response times, and access to a technical account manager. The delivery of customer service might ultimately depend on an individual's preference and past experiences.

Fulfilling Specific Business Requirements

The decision between Azure and AWS ultimately comes down to the specific needs of the business. Each offers unique features and services that cater to certain requirements. From a developer's perspective, Azure might be an easier option if they're already working with .Net or other Microsoft services, whereas AWS is a stronger choice if the user is looking to implement a more diverse set of tools and languages.