Microsoft Azure

The range of cloud services offered by the Azure platform covers a wide variety of applications and areas of use. These include basic infrastructure services such as virtual machines, compute services and networking, various developer offerings such as App Service, DevOps and test environments, as well as database and storage solutions. Azure’s services also cover a wide range of future technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and mixed reality.

Microsoft Azure is provided via a global network of data centres spanning more than 60 regions and available in around 140 countries – giving the cloud platform the reach to bring applications and users closer together worldwide. The network is continuously expanding, and you can select regions and services within the Azure portal. Here you can also see which services are available in which region.

Thanks to the global network of data centres, you can use the various Azure services in a region of your choice – in Germany, Europe or any other region of the world. However, it should be noted that not every cloud service is available in every data centre region. To ensure that data can flow freely, many Microsoft Cloud Services offer EU standard contractual clauses, the implementation of which has been reviewed and confirmed by the EU data protection authorities. Since the end of 2019, Microsoft Azure has also been available in two new German data centre regions. In these regions, data is stored in Germany, while the cloud services are connected to Microsoft’s global network of data centres.

Respond flexibly and quickly to changing variables and scale Microsoft Azure infrastructure and platform services according to demand and utilisation. For example, you can scale up the availability of applications hosted on Azure as usage increases. Since you are only billed for the services and performance you actually use, you can convert your high capital expenditure (CAPEX) into predictable operating expenditure (OPEX).

The Express Route service enables a private, secure and internet-free connection between companies and the Microsoft Cloud. The line offers high reliability and low latency. Express Route also enables the consolidation of managed IT services from the Private Telekom Cloud with services from the Azure Cloud. In addition, Express Route can be easily combined with Telekom network connections, e.g. with IntraSelect for connecting local networks.

Security, data protection and compliance are among the most important factors when companies decide to move to the cloud. Microsoft Azure not only complies with current laws and guidelines relating to data security and data protection, but also offers high compliance standards. This is demonstrated by a large certification portfolio, including: C5 Catalogue (Cloud Computing Compliance Controls Catalogue), ISO 27001, FEPRA and ISO/IEC 27701.

Telekom has been providing Azure Plan for all new Microsoft Azure bookings since 15 February 2021. The transition for existing customers began on 2 April 2021.

If you already have a contract with Microsoft Azure at Telekom, you do not need to take any steps to switch. You will be contacted in the course of 2021 with further information about the switch to the Azure Plan and asked for your consent to the switch. Once we have received your consent, your access will be switched to the Azure Plan.

Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing platform for businesses and offers an integrated and growing collection of IaaS and PaaS services. These include, for example, cloud services for the development, provision and operation of applications.

The Microsoft Azure portfolio includes IaaS services such as virtual machines and networks, serverless computing and storage, as well as PaaS services such as security services (Azure Active Directory, Azure Firewall, etc.), SQL and non-SQL databases, machine learning, AI, IoT and container services (Kubernetes, Docker, etc.).

With its Azure cloud solution, Microsoft is one of the global market leaders in cloud computing. The service is scalable and future-proof thanks to continuous innovative development.

All Azure services are available at an affordable price: Book the Microsoft Azure services you need from Telekom and benefit from our German-speaking customer service.

With its wide range of cloud services, Microsoft Azure has the right offering for every target group and every size of business. These include basic infrastructure services such as virtual machines, compute services and networking, various developer offerings such as App Service, DevOps and test environments, as well as database and storage solutions. Azure’s services also cover a wide range of future technologies such as the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and mixed reality.

With a comprehensive range of Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platform-as-a-Service and Software-as-a-Service offerings, companies receive the right support for virtually all application scenarios. The advantages of rapid provision of scalable resources are important when setting up and operating evaluation environments. Furthermore, the production environment can be adapted to changing requirements at any time by adding or removing individual resources, thus ensuring effective utilisation. This not only enables resource-efficient IT operations, but also optimises IT costs, as you only pay for what you need and use. Microsoft Azure is therefore suitable for all types of businesses – from small start-ups to large corporations.

Security and compliance

For many industries and companies, security, data protection and compliance are among the most important factors before deciding to move to the cloud. Microsoft’s cloud platform not only complies with current laws and regulations on data security and data protection, but also offers high compliance standards. This is underlined by its extensive certification portfolio, which includes: C5 Catalogue (Cloud Computing Compliance Controls Catalogue), ISO 27001, FEPRA and ISO/IEC 27701. It also includes certifications and compliance with standards from specific industries such as finance and healthcare.

Another important question when switching to the cloud is where the data will be stored when using cloud services. Microsoft provides more than 200 different Microsoft Azure cloud services via a global network of data centres spanning more than 60 regions and around 140 countries. 

You can find comprehensive information about data protection at Microsoft on this page.

The following terms and conditions, agreed between Telekom and the customer, apply to the purchase of Microsoft Azure:

• Terms and Conditions for IT Services
• Additional Terms and Conditions for Microsoft Online Services
• Microsoft Azure service description

You can download these contract documents here.

In addition, these further terms and conditions agreed between the customer and Microsoft apply:

• Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA)
• Microsoft Product Terms
• Service Level Agreements (SLA)

Note on the processing of personal data (order processing)

Personal data is regularly processed in connection with the use of Microsoft Online Services provided by Telekom Germany GmbH. In accordance with legal regulations, you are obliged to conclude a contract with Telekom Germany GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Telekom") for order processing (AV).

Telekom offers you a contract for order processing (ErgB-AV) with the supplementary terms and conditions linked below.
It is your responsibility to check which personal data you want Telekom to process and whether the provisions in the ErgB-AV meet the requirements of the law applicable to you and your protection needs.

• Supplementary Terms and Conditions for Order Processing (ErgB-AV) for Microsoft Online Services (Office 365/Dynamics 365/Azure)
• Supplementary Terms and Conditions for Commissioned Processing for Microsoft online services

The difference between Azure Plan and Azure Classic (the previous Microsoft Azure booking type) lies primarily in the scope of services: With Azure Plan, you can obtain third-party applications directly from the Microsoft Azure Marketplace. Azure Cost Management is also available in the Azure Portal upon request. This allows you to monitor your cost situation.

Would you like to switch your Azure subscription from Azure Classic to Azure Plan? Please contact the experts at TelekomCloud Support, who will be happy to assist you with the switch.

Microsoft will transfer Azure Classic to “Out of Service” status in the foreseeable future. From this point on, Azure Classic will no longer be available. The date for the discontinuation of Azure Classic is not yet known. However, Microsoft will announce it at least six months in advance. We will then inform you accordingly and coordinate the next steps with you.