How to hire Azure developers for your project?

Azure is one of the top Cloud providers worldwide. It offers over 200 services and products as well as boasts the most comprehensive (100+) compliance coverage among cloud hyperscalers. However, with the wide range of services available, businesses often struggle to understand which ones they need and how to adopt them properly. So, they partner with a trusted tech vendor and hire Azure developers – experts who can provide Cloud services, including a cost-effective strategy, adoption of this technology, optimization, and much more.

But how to find skilled Azure developers? What characteristics describe qualified Azure software developers? Are there any success stories of such cooperation?

Why do you need to hire Azure developers?

There are numerous benefits associated with hiring Azure experts, ranging from cost savings by avoiding redundant cloud spending to enhancing infrastructure reliability and improving application performance. Let's delve into additional reasons businesses seek experienced Azure experts:

1. To implement the resilient and adaptable architecture

To ensure the sustainability and scalability of your cloud applications, it is crucial to follow architectural best practices. Hiring professionals who implement the Azure Well-Architected Framework can provide a strong foundation for your system. The Framework encompasses five pillars: reliability, security, cost optimization, operational excellence, and performance efficiency. By measuring your system against the Azure Well-Architected Framework, you can develop a unified approach to risk management, leading to enhanced business value for your solution.

2. To make your business operations more cost-effective

By implementing Azure best practices, you can pinpoint misused resources, optimize them, and take control of your expenses. Azure enables enterprises to easily scale their resources up or down based on their needs, ensuring that clients only pay for the resources they actually use. This flexibility eliminates the need for costly investments in hardware and infrastructure, as well as ensures that businesses allocate their resources efficiently.

3. To enhance security and compliance

Even though the myth about the cloud not being secure enough was debunked a long ago, many businesses still have this concern. However, partnering with Azure developers from a reliable tech vendor will help you address these worries. Azure is committed to various security compliances, such as ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2, and others. The provider offers numerous services, such as identity and access management, firewall, and encryption, to help their users establish a secure infrastructure and monitor for suspicious activity—all the things that an experienced tech partner can help you with.

To unlock these benefits and propel your business forward, assembling a team of experienced engineers is essential. However, the question arises: how can you successfully hire Azure developers? Let's examine the process together.

You may also be interested in comparing Azure to the other leading Cloud providers

How to hire Azure developers: Your step-by-step instruction

When it comes to collaborating with a tech vendor, the hiring process follows a standard procedure, regardless of the specific tech expertise required. Here are the key steps you should take:

1. Get clear on your staffing request

In the initial stage, it is important to consider the desired level of qualification and experience in software development when hiring tech specialists. Additionally, determine the number of Azure experts needed to handle your tech request. At N-iX, we can assist you in defining the optimal size and composition of the team during Product Discovery.

2. Identify your technical requirements

The next crucial step is identifying the specific technical skills you seek when hiring software engineers. To assist your tech partner in selecting the most suitable candidates, compile a comprehensive list of desired Azure skills, including professional certifications and domain expertise. This will help narrow down the pool of potential developers for your project.

3. Find the right software engineering company 

When selecting a reliable vendor, review the company’s portfolio to determine if they have experience delivering solutions similar to your requirements. Additionally, check client reviews and testimonials on their website and reputable platforms like Clutch and GoodFirms.

During the selection process, consider the size of the company. Enterprises with over 250 tech professionals on board typically have quicker access to a skilled workforce and optimized development processes.

3.1 Consider a secure and compliant partner

It is also crucial to ensure that your chosen tech vendor adheres to international data protection and industry standards such as ISO 27001:2013, ISO 9001:2015, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, PCI DSS, and GDPR. Partnering with a company that complies with these regulations guarantees secure access to sensitive information and effective data protection.

For instance, at N-iX, Azure engineers implement robust security measures within your Azure environment. Here's how we address your security concerns:

• N-iX leverages Azure's security advantages adhering to rigorous standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR. In such a way, we ensure your data meets the strict regulations.
• Our Azure specialists implement industry-leading security practices, including role-based access control, data encryption at rest and in transit, and continuous threat monitoring.
• We design your Azure environment with security in mind, utilizing features like Azure Security Center for centralized monitoring, threat detection, and vulnerability management.
• Our team stays up to date on the latest security threats and proactively implements mitigation strategies to safeguard your data and applications.

Beyond technical expertise, N-iX fosters a culture of security awareness, ensuring all team members prioritize best practices and contribute to a robust security posture. Moreover, we offer a hybrid cloud approach for industries that cannot fully migrate to the public cloud due to regulations or other compliance requirements. This way, we seamlessly combine your on-premises and cloud storage based on your security requirements. This flexibility empowers you to leverage the benefits of the cloud while maintaining control over sensitive data.

4. Decide upon the type of contract

When it comes to formalizing a partnership, one of the critical steps involves defining the legal aspects of cooperation. Various factors, including the vendor's initial business goals, the level of client control, and project flexibility, determine the type of contract in IT outsourcing.

The Fixed Price model is frequently considered the optimal choice for small and medium-sized projects with a predetermined budget. In this arrangement, you provide the tech enterprise with a fixed budget, project scope, and delivery time. At the same time, the software development vendor assumes complete responsibility for meeting milestones within the allocated budget and time frame.

If you seek to hire Azure developers for a project without initially defined requirements, the Time and Material (T&M) model is recommended. This model offers a high level of flexibility and enables adjustments to the team's size as required throughout the project. T&M contracts are also well-suited for small to medium-sized projects.

If you aim to find professionals for a larger project with changing requirements, the Dedicated Development Team model should be considered. This model provides a tailored technical team aligning with your business requirements. Similar to the Time and Material (T&M) model, this approach offers flexibility and allows team expansion as needed.

5. Choose a cooperation model or service

Cooperation models define how you and your chosen technology partner collaborate on your project. These models can vary based on factors like the level of involvement and control you desire, the project's scope and complexity, and your specific needs. Choosing the right model ensures a smooth and successful collaboration.

N-iX empowers your project success with diverse collaboration options:

• Team Extension: Seamlessly integrate skilled developers into your existing team, leveraging our global talent pool from nearshore or offshore locations. This model is ideal for scaling your development capacity quickly or addressing specific skill gaps.
• Managed Team: Gain the benefits of a dedicated team of experts solely focused on your project, with an added layer of oversight and control. We assemble and manage the team, ensuring streamlined communication, focused execution, and experienced project management expertise to guide your project to success. This model is suitable for projects requiring a dedicated team and close collaboration.
• Custom Solution Development: Partner with N-iX to design and develop bespoke software applications tailored to your business goals and challenges. Address unique needs with innovative solutions, gain a competitive edge through custom functionality, and own the intellectual property of the developed software. This model is perfect for creating unique solutions addressing your needs and challenges.

Besides the cooperation models above, we also provide consulting services:

• Technology Consulting: Leverage the insights of our Azure consulting services to navigate complex technology decisions with confidence. Gain strategic guidance and expertise across various technology domains to optimize your technology strategy, mitigate risks, and accelerate innovation within your organization. 

Beyond these core services, N-iX prioritizes understanding your needs through close collaboration. This collaborative approach ensures we can customize our services and tailor our approach to maximize your project's potential.

Skills to seek when you hire Azure developers

The required tech stack for Azure engineers varies depending on the specific business case, its complexity, and the project requirements. Let's examine these areas of expertise in detail:

Practical tech competencies

Assessing developers' Azure skills is necessary if you plan to collaborate with experienced cloud computing specialists. Here is a checklist of essential expertise your Azure software developers for hire should possess:

• Solid command of the Azure core services, namely, computing, networking, databases, storage, as well as cloud infrastructure deployment and management.
• Analytical skills that allow them to define tech requirements for an Azure-based solution and decide upon Azure services that match your business needs.
• A thorough comprehension of network technologies, including Azure Virtual Network, Azure DDoS Protection, Azure Bastion, Azure ExpressRoute,  Azure Front Door, etc., is essential.
• Practical knowledge of Azure security features, including secure networks, managed identities and access control, Azure Key Vaults—secrets and certificates management, and data encryption.
• Hands-on experience with Infrastructure as Code tools, such as Azure DevOps.
• In-depth knowledge of the architectural best practices, such as Azure Well-Architected Framework and Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure.

Azure certifications and designations

If you want to find and hire Azure developers with industry-recognized credentials, look for cloud specialists with the “Azure-certified” status. Obtaining accreditations from Microsoft is proof of top-notch tech skills and robust cloud experience. For instance, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure Administrator Associate, and Microsoft Azure Administrator are among the most sought-after certifications regarding this cloud.

Qualification level

The seniority level of your Azure developers significantly influences the outcome of your project. Azure cloud experts with a solid background in this technology are more adept at systematically analyzing the potential of cloud setups and delivering exceptional services. Reputable professional certifications in Azure typically require developers to have at least two years of practical experience designing and implementing Azure cloud architectures.

For instance, if you hire Azure developers from N-iX, our middle-level experts have an average experience of over five years, while our Senior and Lead specialists have honed their skills for around 12+ years, demonstrating mastery in their competencies.

Read more about partnering with Azure managed service providers 

Success story: Building an Azure-based logistics platform for a Fortune 100 engineering and technology company

Our client is a highly esteemed multinational engineering and technology company headquartered in Germany, proudly ranking among the Global Fortune 100 companies. With an extensive network comprising over 440 subsidiaries and regional entities, this company operates globally, conducting its business in more than 60 countries worldwide.

In response to the client's need to enhance inventory management in their warehouses and address scalability issues with their existing monolithic logistics solution, N-iX experts were engaged. They successfully transformed the client's logistics platform using an Azure-based microservices architecture. The solution architect from N-iX played a vital role in designing a cloud-native infrastructure, specifically utilizing the capabilities of Azure Kubernetes. Additionally, our professionals recommended an efficient tech stack and provided a well-defined roadmap for the smooth implementation of the solution.

In addition, N-iX Azure engineers have leveraged DevOps best practices and implemented several advanced technologies such as Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, natural language processing, and computer vision.
The modernized and scalable logistics platform has brought about significant improvements in the efficiency of internal logistics for our client. As a result of this transformation, the client can now:

• Automate manual tasks and reduce paperwork for warehouse staff;
• Streamline inventory management across their network of 400+ warehouses worldwide;
• Track packages in near real-time, effectively managing delivery statuses and predicting warehouse load;
• Detect package damage, thereby eliminating defective packages;
• Plan operations more effectively, reducing operational overhead and minimizing warehouse downtime.

Why should you hire Azure developers from N-iX?

1. N-iX is a Microsoft Solution Partner—the status granted to tech providers that are first in line in maximizing business value with Azure cloud and innovation capabilities. We hold the certification for Digital & App Innovation and Data & AI, which proves our vast expertise in modernizing applications, building cloud-native apps, data governance and management, and AI. 
2. As a Microsoft partner, we can access the Azure Migration Modernization Program funds that help you build solutions with us. That, in turn, will help you accelerate your migration projects and access all Azure services according to your specific business needs. 
3. We have around 70 Azure-certified specialists on board who have successfully passed Microsoft certification exams. This certification ensures they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to implement and efficiently manage your Azure cloud infrastructure.
4. In-depth cloud expertise. Azure developers from Microsoft partners, such as N-iX, have deep knowledge and experience in Microsoft Azure services. A thorough understanding of Azure's capabilities and best practices allows specialists to design, deploy, and manage complex cloud infrastructures, meeting the unique needs of each business. 
5. N-iX is a company that strongly emphasizes maintaining the highest level of security standards to protect sensitive data and our clients' trust. In line with this commitment, N-iX complies with several internationally recognized security standards, including PCI DSS, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and GDPR.