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 implement a cost-effective Cloud strategy, optimize costs, and much more.
But how to find skilled Azure developers? What characteristics describe qualified Azure software developers? Are there any success stories of such cooperations?
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 why 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 Azure 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 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 has the widest range of security compliances on the market. 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.
Top it off with established security practices of a reliable vendor, and you get the highest possible security level. If you still have concerns – combine on-prem and Cloud storage with us.
To unlock these benefits and propel your business forward, it is essential to assemble a team of experienced Azure engineers. However, the question arises: How can you successfully hire such professionals? Let's examine the process together.
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 determine the number of Azure experts needed to handle your tech request. Additionally, take the desired level of qualification and experience in software development when hiring tech specialists into consideration. 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 to identify the specific technical skills you will 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, consider the size of the company. Enterprises with over 250 tech professionals typically have better access to a skilled tech workforce and optimized development processes.
During the evaluation process, review the vendor's portfolio to determine if they have experience delivering solutions similar to your requirements. Additionally, check client reviews and testimonials on their website as well as reputable platforms like Clutch and GoodFirms.
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, PCI DSS, and GDPR. Partnering with a company that complies with these regulations guarantees secure access to sensitive information and effective data protection.
Keep reading: How to choose the right software development partner: your outsourcing handbook
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, while the software development vendor assumes complete responsibility for meeting milestones within the allocated budget and time frame.
If you are seeking to hire tech experts for a project without initially defined requirements, the Time and Material (T&M) model is a recommended choice. 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 that aligns with your specific business requirements. Similar to the Time and Material (T&M) model, this approach offers flexibility and allows for the expansion of the team as needed.
Skills to seek when you hire Azure developers
The required tech stack for Azure engineers varies depending on the specific business case and its complexity, as well as the project requirements. However, it is essential for these experts to possess a deep understanding of various tech domains. Let's examine these areas of expertise in detail:
Practical tech competencies
If you plan to collaborate with experienced Cloud computing specialists, assessing developers' Azure skills is a must. 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 identity and access control, 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 Azure software 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 when it comes to 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 a minimum of two years of practical experience in designing and implementing Azure cloud architectures.
For instance, at N-iX, our Middle Azure developers 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 on a global scale, 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 by implementing 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 (ML), artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), 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 hire Azure developers from N-iX?
- N-iX is a Microsoft Solution Partner – the status granted to tech providers that are first in line in terms of 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.
- As a Microsoft partner, we have access to 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.
- We have around 70 Azure-certified specialists on board that have successfully passed Microsoft certification exams. This certification ensures that they possess the necessary skills and knowledge to implement and efficiently manage your Azure Cloud infrastructure.
- 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.
- N-iX is a company that places a strong emphasis on maintaining the highest level of security standards to ensure the protection of sensitive data and the trust of our clients. In line with this commitment, N-iX complies with several internationally recognized security standards, including PCI DSS, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and GDPR.
