- IaaS Functionality: Create, deploy, monitor and manage rich virtual machines’ based applications, and manage virtual networks within a fully customizable Portal experience. In addition to creating simple virtual machines, we are adding the ability to automate the deployment of rich multi-machine application templates with a few clicks. With this, deploying a multi-tier, highly-available SharePoint farm from the portal will be a few clicks away!
- Resource Group enhancements: Manage infrastructure services like virtual machines and virtual networks along with platform services like web sites and databases, all within the same Resource Group, as a single application. This level of flexibility and control is an example of how Azure is leading the way in blurring the lines between infrastructure and platform services, giving customers the choice to pick the best platform for their application needs.
- Azure Image Gallery Updates: The completely re-imagined Azure Gallery is more powerful with the addition of several new virtual machine images that enable you to provision dev/test servers or production applications in minutes. The new virtual machine images and templates take the guesswork out of building, orchestrating and deploying complex applications, thus letting you focus on creating business value instead of managing the infrastructure.
- Azure SQL Database: Customers can manage their Azure SQL Databases within the Portal, consistent with other Azure services. This includes provisioning databases across Web and Business (currently in general availability) and Basic, Standard, and Premium (currently in preview).
Microsoft Azure Continues to Deliver Rapid Innovation in the Cloud
We’re committed to delivering a world-class cloud computing platform that helps our partners and customers innovate and succeed in today’s mobile-first, cloud-first world. As we head into our Worldwide Partner Conference next week in Washington, D.C., I’m excited to share with you that we are continuing to rapidly innovate on the Azure platform with new and enhanced cloud services that will help our partners and customers take advantage of the speed, flexibility and cost savings of the cloud.
Azure Preview Portal enhancements
In April, you saw us unveil a first-of-its-kind cloud environment—the Azure preview portal—that bridges the gap between infrastructure and platform services, so developers and IT professionals no longer have to work in disparate cloud environments. With every release, we are making the experience within the portal richer and more powerful. Starting next week, customers will be able to experience the following new capabilities in the Portal: