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Cloud Computing Services and Microsoft

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Azure. Why Microsoft Azure?

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Authors
Mehedi Hassan, mehedi.hassan@student.potomac.edu.

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Department of Information Technology& Computer Science.

Klaudia Zmij, Klaudia.Zmij@student.potomac.edu

Department of Information Technology& Computer Science.

Kubanychbek Azhygulov, Kubanychbek.Azhygulov@student.potomac.edu

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Department of Information Technology& Computer Science.

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Sonika Sitaula, Sonika.Sitaula@student.potomac.edu

Department of Information Technology& Computer Science.

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Abstract

CONCEPT: Although Amazon Web Services has the top place in the market as a cloud platform,

it is not a top choice for each client to any degree. Microsoft Azure has know-how in backup
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programming as an assistant to IoT and retail organizations, and the outline has different devices
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for setting up, overseeing, and making sensors. Likewise, it gives valuable properties for

constant information examination, handling of knowledge, and AI.

OBJECTIVES
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After a brief introduction to The Microsoft Azure platform, the primary objective of this paper is

to discuss Microsoft Azure and its benefits briefly in comparison to other cloud services.
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METHODS

A review of all relevant sources known to the authors was carried out.
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RESULTS

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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Microsoft Azure offers a set of capabilities and features that surpass that of other cloud

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platforms. Important aspects where Azure has been found to score over other cloud platforms

were the capabilities of PaaS, compatibility of the net, the security it offers, and seamless cloud

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connectivity hybrid solutions.

CONCLUSIONS

Advantages of Azure over other cloud computing services were noted in this study. Although

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Amazon Web Services is a leading platform, Microsoft Azure could be a better option because it

provides a consistent platform that facilitates easy movement between the public cloud and on-

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premises. It also has other benefits like Unmatched Hybrid capabilities, Easy learning, Cost-

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Efficient, Identity & Access Management, Security Offerings, Scalability, and Ductility.
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Keywords: Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing Services, Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud.

1. Introduction
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Microsoft Azure offers a catalog of services one can use, including services for web and

mobile applications, backup copies, file storage, databases, and complete virtual machines.
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Microsoft publicized its plans to fashion it in 2008 and 2009, and the Platform started

functioning in beta testing. It has constantly been developing since then, adding application and
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infrastructure abilities. In 2008, Chief Software Architect for Microsoft, Ray Ozzie, publicized

the forthcoming issue of Windows. Azure was initially intended to assist as a SaaS platform for
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numerous services of Microsoft products but rapidly transformed into a service provider of

Cloud modeled after Amazon [13]. It allows the deployment, quick build, and easy application
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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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support and scaling to any tool for application development, framework, or chosen language. It

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manages applications across the Microsoft data centers' global network [1].

It was offered as a cloud platform that enables application development and running and

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data storage on servers circulated in the corporation's data centers. All these centers are

interrelated and make the worldwide Azure infrastructure. Azure operates principally by

deploying a remote virtual machine for each instance of a service or application. The user

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controls the computing power and the data storage required and then connects to the program. As

the job is completed, the initial number of resources consumed can decrease as the job is

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completed enabling the user to save on the expense of the used properties. This Platform

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provides all types of services of Cloud-like infrastructure as a service (IaaS), Platform as a

service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS). It offers over 600 services [8]. It also supports
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many tools that help the developers, databases, and operating systems. The demand for Azure

services has increased exponentially, emphasized by most Fortune 500 companies using the

Platform [6].
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2. Services provided by Azure

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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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Application service
Data services

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Network services
Development services

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Computer services

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Figure 1. The Microsoft Azure Services.
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2.1 Application Service

These services help individuals advance, arrange, and uphold diverse applications on the

Platform. This embraces components such as Azure hardware, Azure Media Services, Azure
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Active Directory, Azure IoT, Azure Analytics, and Azure AI [7].

Among these, the most significant include:

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2.1.1 Azure AI

The Platform allows an individual's AI sets to gain immediate contact with AI services
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and aids in optimizing processes of business across the firm, staff empowerment, and customer

interactions. Developers will develop applications that are interactive on Azure's AI Platform
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that provides AI abilities like text analytics, video compartmentalization, detection of the face,

synthesis of voice, recognition of speech, and IP [6]. Additionally, the Azure Bot service brings

intelligent representatives onto numerous platforms, including websites, Facebook messenger,

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and skype.

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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2.1.2 Azure Analytics

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These can create smart vital business decisions by analyzing and processing vast amounts

of data. Using this service's interactive workspace, data scientists and engineers can work on

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real-time data analysis in massive quantities [9].

2.2 Data Services

All the managing and storing of information is performed in the Cloud. Azure gives a lot

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of data services. Azure SQL Database, Document DB, Sor Simple, storage, Redis Cache.

2.2.1 Azure Storage

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Unstructured and structured data can be kept using data storage services provided by

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Azure. It is secure and scalable and guarantees the safe incorporation of on-premises data with

cloud data. Individuals and organizations can keep all sizes and types of data like NoSQL, queue,
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file, bob, and big file to small lumps, which can be executed as per the needs of the business

without influencing the production environment [9].

2.3 Development Services

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Various development tools and services provided by the Platform can improve software

deployment and development like Azure DevOps.

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2.3.1 Azure DevOps

It automates the delivery method of the software system. It improves expansion by

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offering a substitute to the CI/CD servers that are self-managed and supply open DevOps tools. It

also offers trustable and fast tools to assist in hassle-free delivery.

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2.4 Compute Services

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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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Application capabilities are run and hosted by the use o the Azure compute services.

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These include Azure App Services, Azure Service Fabric, Azure Batch, Azure VMs, and Azure

Container Service.

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2.4.1 Azure Virtual Machines (VMs)

It is a highly demanded and scalable means. The cloud managers must select an OS,

organize the required properties, and fashion the webserver [9]. There is no need to buy and

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maintain any hardware.

2.4.2 Azure Container Service

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One can utilize Azure and benefit from container-based modern expansion practices. To

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migrate, service fabric can be used. There is also a provision to deploy and keep images using

Azure Container Registry or Docker Hub. A most significant benefit is that less space is used
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than virtual machines, and it begins instantly where the process is accelerated.

2.5 Network Services by Azure

Network Services execute network processes inside Azure and on-premises infrastructure
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and Azure. These contain Azure Content Delivery Network, Azure-provided DNS, Virtual

Network, Traffic Manager, and ExpressRoute.

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Azure CDN gives high bandwidth content to dispense big files. This leads to a decrease in the

time that the file downloads. Application load and latency are also condensed by improving them
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from the whole delivery process of the content. The file is cached to Azure Datacenter that is

nearby.
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3. Azure Pricing Overview

Azure offers APIs and highly available applications where users are paying for what they
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use only with no termination fee and upfront cost. Azure clarifies that normal bandwidth charges

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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are applicable for data movement in and out of the Platform. Thus, data transfer is free, and the

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transfer of information occurs in the equal zone of availability and from Azure origin to Azure

CDN [10]. For intercontinental clients, data transfer per GB began from $0.02 for Europe and

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North America regions. Similarly, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, and Asia were already

billed at $0.08 at the same time. South America was the most expensive bill for data transfer at

0.16. Azure began pricing for traffic above 5GB/month, and charges depended on the size of the

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data and the source continent. The client pays less with more routed data, while users in North

America pay $0.0875 per GB for data of 5GB-10TB/ month and 150-500TBdata [10].

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The valuing of virtual machines also depends on the disk capacity and CPU performance.

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The Platform offers fast machines organized for substantial capabilities and is recommended for

resolutions of development, code mines, and servers [12]. Azure has a wide variety of Virtual
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devices that can be modified effortlessly based on the user's requirements and settings—as, in the

Azure cloud setting, scaling is cost-effective and easy because the client pays for used resources

only. Considering other products and services offered by Azure, services are billed and priced
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independently on top of formerly designated options. However, the valuing is parallel to the

virtual machines based on usage and package. Azure gives a Pricing Calculator that assists in
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estimating the service's actual price [5].

Azure offers innumerable competitive cloud services at a value compared with other
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influential platforms, like AWS or GCP. For example, both Azure and AWS give free

preliminary stages with lesser limits of practice, and they equally offer pas as one goes hourly
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and model charges. However, for the virtual machines, the minor occurrences presenting two

virtual processors with 8GB RAM are somewhat low-priced at AWS with a regular estimated
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cost of $69 and Azure at $70 in a month. Also, more critical instances accessible are more costly

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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at Azure than AWS, in which 3.84 TB RAM and 128 vCPUs are valued in AWS for $3.95 per

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hour and Azure at 6.79/hour [5]. Nonetheless, Azure gives more reasonable prices for storage

than AWS, as the initial costs AWS markets at $0.023 per GB while Azure grants storage

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beginning at $0.0184. However, it is critical to sum up, all parts of the cloud provision package

to find better pricing options across any cloud service. Each storage, creation, and the machine

will have an exclusive practice that will regulate the total rate of the cloud disposition [11].

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4. Other Comparable Services

It is well known that Amazon has the market's top place, but generally, it is not a top

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choice for each client to any degree. A cloud service firm has its specialized areas to consider

before settling on a decision [4].

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Microsoft Azure has some know-how in backup programming as an assistant to IoT and
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retail organizations. The outline has different devices for setting up, overseeing, and making

sensors [3]. Likewise, it gives valuable properties for constant information examination, handling

of knowledge, and AI.

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AWS is a go-to Cloud groundwork for activities. Its resources are responsible for

formulating abundant continuous solicitations, controlling clients' changing loads, and extending
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to numerous environmental business parts. The stage is heavy-handedly armed for large sets and

aggressive steps.
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Google Cloud stands separately from its new business program. Corporations solicited in

adventure, or automobile resources can find an excellent offer for operating the framework of the
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Google Cloud. Google is formulating to turn into a leading creation Cloud along these lines. The

stage stands out amongst other AI devices available [5].

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5. Benefits of Azure

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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Unmatched Hybrid capabilities

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Easy learning

Scalability and Ductility

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Cost-Efficient:

Security Offerings

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er Identity & Access Mngt
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IaaS and PaaS capabilities

Figure 2. The Microsoft Azure Benefits

5.1 IaaS and PaaS capabilities:

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Azure holds a pleasing amalgamation of PaaS and IaaS activities. IaaS allows actions to

reconsider their Azure schedule and wage for what they utilize. PaaS permits them to conduct
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arrangements and web requests given no essential preparations and acquisition. Azure's top

consultants from Microsoft collaboration enterprise are able to work with local areas to use
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Azure Iaas and Paas to develop venture applications for business development sped up on the

Cloud [2].
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5.2 Security Offerings:

Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) is a measure of security that is the industry

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driving on which Azure has been planned. Staying harm-free on Azure Cloud is a function of

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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security, administration, and private information. Consequently, Microsoft guarantees the best

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well-being for all the information and tasks on the Azure Cloud.

5.3 Scalability and Ductility:

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Using Azure, millions of clients can be made with no additional coding through

applications that run unaffectedly, viably, and at a scale. The Platform's storage offers secure,

ensured, moldable executions that compel organizations limited on the Cloud.

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5.4 Unmatched Hybrid Capabilities:

The Platform has a wide diversity of volumes, making it special. It permits forthright

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accessibility and a solid conventional phase between the public Cloud and on-reason [2]. Azure

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offers a broader extent of hybrid affiliations, comprising Express Route, content transport

associations, stores, and virtual private associations relationships to advance execution and
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accommodation.

5.5 Integrated Environment with Other Microsoft Tools:

Azure utilizes activities by applying a parallel virtual on-premise machine-like Windows

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and Linux.

5.6 Analytics and Intelligence capabilities:

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Azure boosts NoSQL and SQL data aids and essential assistance for investigating added

into data and discovering crucial bits of facts for refining dynamics and cycles of business and
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dynamics [14]. Azure is the private cloud stage that gives Cognitive APIs capacities, Bots,

Machine learning, and Blockchain as a Service (BaaS).

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5.7 Easy learning curve:

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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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Tools that can be recognized like programming dialect, ASP.NET, and Visual Studio are

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utilized to form local cloud applications. Therefore, it is simple for the experts to develop

applications for the cloud-based endeavor [14].

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5.8 Cost-Efficient Platform:

The Platform allows one to pay for what the individual or the organization has used to

extend or fabricate assets utilizing administrations; therefore, expenses are reduced.

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5.9

Identity & Access Management (IAM):

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With Azure, Initiatives can develop and receive IAM abilities to decrease the cost of the

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board and become handier, backing up innovative business activities [3].

6. Conclusion
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Risk management could be a method that needs correct coming up with and

understanding of the company's business setting. Correctly coming up with the execution

processes permits company managers to understand a number of the challenges that may arise
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and make a base to counteract such challenges. In the risk management method, Apple faces stiff

competition from alternative corporations associated. This makes the corporate apportion
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additional finances to enhance the delivery of merchandise that crush its competitor. Apart from

stiff competition, constant technological changes build a number of the merchandise discharged
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by the corporate obsolete. This compels the corporate to check movements in market trends and

style merchandise that are relevant. The changes in technology make production systems
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incompatible, and constant system updates outperform any commitment to improve industrial

design. Additionally, the interests and preferences of stakeholders change often. Customers' style
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for the corporate merchandise altered, and also in the recent past, Apple has tried manufacturing

This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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creating changes in their inventory therefore on meet shopper style necessities. Any

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enhancements made on the corporate merchandise are out-fashioned once a replacement product

arrives.

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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377
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References

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[2] Carutasu, G., Botezatu, M. A., Botezatu, C., & Pirnau, M. (2016, June). Cloud computing

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Azure
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[3] da Costa, P. J. P., & Da Cruz, A. M. R. (2012). Migration to windows azure–analysis and
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[4] G. Tajadod, L. Batten and K. Govinda, "Microsoft and Amazon: A comparison of approaches
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10.1109/CloudCom.2012.6427581.

[5] Ilyukha, V. (2020). Jelvix. Retrieved from https://jelvix.com/blog/aws-vs-google-cloud-vs-

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[6] Jain, N. (2019). List of Top 10 Azure Services [Blog]. Retrieved from
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https://www.whizlabs.com/blog/top-azure-services/

[7] Loughman, K. (2019). An Overview of Microsoft Azure Services [Blog]. Retrieved from
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[8] Microsoft Azure. (2021). Retrieved from https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/

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Nikam, P. P., & Suryawanshi, R. S. (2015). Microsoft windows azure: developing applications

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[9] Pricing – BANDWIDTH: Microsoft Azure. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2021, from

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[10] Pricing – Blockchain Service: Microsoft Azure. (n.d.). Retrieved March 26, 2021, from

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[11] Pricing – Cloud Services: Microsoft Azure. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2021, from

https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/pricing/details/cloud-services/.
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[12] R. Kelley, A. D. Antu, A. Kumar, and B. Xie, "Choosing the Right Compute Resources in

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Google," 2020 International Conference on Cyber-Enabled Distributed Computing and

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Knowledge Discovery (CyberC), Chongqing, China, 2020, pp. 214-223, doi:

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[13] SAVIANT intelligent solutions. (2021). saviantconsulting. Retrieved from

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This preprint research paper has not been peer reviewed. Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4103377