Cloud-Native in Microsoft Azure: What is it & How to Get Started

As business needs evolve, more and more technologies are being developed with a focus on the cloud. When businesses employ a cloud-native model for building and running applications, they can leverage the scalability, resiliency, and efficiency that can come from a cloud-first mindset.

Going cloud native in Microsoft Azure means that your organization is interested in hosting your workloads and building and deploying cloud-native applications in Microsoft Azure. We’ll cover key services for cloud-native technologies in Azure, the benefits associated with an Azure cloud-native strategy, and key considerations for businesses looking to be cloud native using Azure.

Who Is Azure Cloud-Native For?

Azure cloud-native tools are for anyone looking to build highly scalable applications that make the most out of cloud technologies. IT teams that want to establish a cloud environment in Azure and are looking for a flexible and resilient solution can employ Azure cloud-native strategies to maximize their use of the cloud.

Core Services for Azure Cloud-Native Development

Azure offers a robust portfolio of options for cloud-native application development. Here, we’re exploring four foundational Azure cloud-native components: Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Functions, Azure Logic Apps, and Azure App Service.

Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)

Through Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), organizations are able to orchestrate containerized workloads through Kubernetes. With AKS, businesses can deploy and manage Kubernetes clusters, leaving the service to handle maintenance and infrastructure provisioning. AKS can also support the automation of the deployment process and provide security features, such as role-based access control and network security groups to better protect workloads.

Azure Functions

Azure Functions enables businesses to build and run event-driven applications without worrying about managing infrastructure. This serverless compute service allows teams to write code for specific tasks that are triggered by events (e.g., HTTP requests, timers, or messages from a queue). These applications can automatically scale based on demand, ensuring cost-efficiency and responsiveness to fit various workloads, keeping performance a top priority. Because Azure manages the underlying infrastructure, businesses can focus entirely on developing application logic, accelerating innovation and reducing operational overhead.

Azure Logic Apps

Azure Logic Apps helps organizations integrate applications and services and automate workflows from an easy, drag-and-drop interface. The service can integrate with both on-premises and cloud-based systems and connect various sources together to make the workflow automation process more seamless and intuitive. Azure Logic Apps also comes with built-in logging and monitoring tools that can alert teams to potential performance issues.

Azure App Service

Azure App Service is a fully managed platform that helps businesses create, deploy, and scale web apps, APIs, and mobile backends with ease. Developers can choose their preferred programming stack, including Python, Java, .NET, Node.js, and PHP, enabling flexibility in development. The service supports modern development workflows, including built-in continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipelines for DevOps teams, ensuring seamless updates and deployments.

Additionally, Azure App Service provides enterprise-grade monitoring, scaling, and security features, such as authentication, encryption, and compliance with industry standards, making it an ideal choice for mission-critical applications.

Benefits of Using Azure for Cloud-Native Applications

Organizations may choose to use Azure for cloud-native applications for a number of reasons, including adaptability, cost savings, advanced security features, and seamless integration with a larger Azure ecosystem.

Adaptability and Scalability

Cloud-native systems are designed to scale automatically and dynamically to handle fluctuating workloads. Whether scaling up during peak demand or scaling down during lulls, this ensures optimal resource utilization and cost-efficiency. Because Azure can be integrated seamlessly with on-premises infrastructure or other cloud providers, users benefit from the option of a tailored hybrid or multicloud solution. Plus, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) makes orchestrating and managing containerized applications a more efficient process.

Cost Savings

Azure operates on a pay-as-you-go model, which means businesses only pay for the resources they consume. For organizations with predictable workloads, Azure offers discounted pricing through reserved instances, while spot instances provide a cost-effective option for workloads that can tolerate interruptions. Additionally, Azure’s autoscaling capabilities help optimize costs by automatically adjusting resources based on real-time demand, ensuring no unnecessary expenses for underutilized capacity.

Accelerated Time to Market

Cloud-native architectures enable businesses to achieve unmatched agility, allowing for faster innovation and reduced time to market. By embracing modern development practices like microservices, containerization, and continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD), teams can streamline the deployment of new features and updates. Azure’s serverless offerings, such as Azure Functions and Logic Apps, further accelerate development by removing the need to manage underlying infrastructure, letting teams focus on writing code that delivers value.

Seamless Integration with Azure Ecosystem

For organizations that already use Azure services, adopting cloud-native architecture with Azure means you can continue to integrate your workloads into a larger Azure ecosystem. Build end-to-end solutions with Azure services, streamline development through Azure-based developer tools, and deploy applications across a global network of data centers for high availability and low latency.

Developing & Deploying Cloud-Native Applications on Azure

When building cloud-native applications on Azure, development teams should adopt a strategic approach that integrates best practices, leverages the right tools and core services, and applies DevOps methodologies to maximize the platform’s potential.

Choosing the Right Specialized Tools & Services

Choosing technologies to use on Azure is no easy feat. Businesses have many different options for compute services, containerization, storage, analytics, and more. For example, if you’re interested in edge computing—extending computing to the edge of a network to cater to end-users who need real-time responses—you may want to choose Azure tools that help configure Kubernetes clusters at the edge. Organizations looking for hybrid or multicloud options will have the opportunity to choose from different Azure hybrid solutions.

Best Practices for Cloud-Native Design

Cloud-native design abides by certain best practices, including automating where possible to remove friction points, managing infrastructure and automation through code (IaC), building redundancy into application design, and simplifying the software release process through a continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) model. Integrating robust security practices and embedding observability into every layer of the application ensures that potential vulnerabilities are addressed proactively and that issues can be detected and resolved quickly. Adhering to these best practices with cloud-native design principles means that applications will remain scalable, maintainable, resilient, and secure.

Deployment Models for Applications Using Azure

The Azure services you use in your cloud-native development will also determine the deployment methods that are available to you. From fully cloud-based to hybrid and edge configurations, Azure provides deployment models to suit various business needs.

The platform’s public cloud offers global scalability and high availability, while hybrid solutions with tools like Azure Arc and Azure Local (formerly Azure Stack HCI) integrate on-premises and cloud environments for compliance or latency needs. Multicloud support enables unified management across Azure and other providers, and edge models like Azure IoT Edge bring compute and analytics closer to data sources for low latency and real-time processing. These options offer flexibility, aligning infrastructure with business goals while leveraging Azure’s cloud-native capabilities.

Managing and Monitoring Cloud Native Applications

The successful deployment of cloud-native applications in Azure depends on effective management and monitoring tools. The following are a few options organizations may want to implement.

Azure Monitor, Insights, and Log Analytics

Monitoring applications in Azure is critical for ensuring performance, reliability, and security, and Azure provides a comprehensive suite of tools to simplify this process. Azure Monitor serves as the central platform for collecting and analyzing telemetry data, offering deep insights into application performance and resource utilization. Paired with Application Insights, developers can track real-time metrics, diagnose issues, and optimize cloud-native application behavior. Azure’s built-in alerts and dashboards allow teams to proactively address anomalies, while integrations with Azure Log Analytics provide advanced querying capabilities for detailed investigations.

Azure Resource Manager

Resource management is key to running efficient cloud-native applications in Azure, ensuring control, scalability, and optimized resource usage. Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and Bicep enable consistent, automated deployments through Infrastructure as Code (IaC), while Azure Resource Groups simplify organizing and managing resources with features like role-based access control (RBAC) for enhanced security. Teams can create, delete, and modify resources in one place, streamlining operations and improving deployment consistency. Tools like Azure Cost Management provide visibility into expenses and automated scaling in services like Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) adjusts resources to meet workload demands.

Automation and DevOps Tools in Azure

Azure’s automation and DevOps tools accelerate development and ensure operational efficiency for cloud-native applications. Azure DevOps offers end-to-end solutions for planning, building, and deploying, with features like Boards, Repos, and Pipelines. GitHub Actions integrates seamlessly with Azure to automate workflows, while IaC tools like ARM, Bicep, and Terraform streamline resource provisioning. Azure Automation handles routine tasks like patching and scaling, reducing manual effort. Together, these tools enhance collaboration, consistency, and scalability throughout the development lifecycle.

Integrate Azure Cloud Native Tools into Your IT Modernization Strategy 

Azure tools and services require a deep level of understanding to be used efficiently and effectively. Partnering with a managed Azure provider, like TierPoint, can help you get the most out of Microsoft Azure public cloud and optimize your application modernization strategy. Our team is here to help you simplify the path to a cloud-native future.