SoftwareOne logo

3.0 min to readCloud Services

Harnessing the Power of Azure Arc

shailender-choudhary-contact
Shailender ChoudharySolution Architect – Cloud Services
edr-vs-exd-vs-siem-what-tool-is-right-for-you-getty-1167198475-blog-hero

Unifying Hybrid Infrastructure Management

In today’s complex IT landscape, organisations need a unified management approach to seamlessly oversee on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge environments. Azure Arc extends Azure management to your existing infrastructure, allowing you to apply consistent policies, security measures, and governance across all your resources. Whether you’re modernising legacy systems or expanding into new cloud territories, Azure Arc enables a cohesive management experience.

harnessing-the-power-of-azure-arc-image

Azure Arc Services: Types and Use Cases

  • Azure Arc Enabled Servers:

    Manage your physical and virtual Windows and Linux machines beyond Azure with ease. By connecting these servers to Azure, you gain a consistent management experience, enabling uniform policies and controls across your environments.


  • Azure Arc Enabled Kubernetes:

    Extend Azure’s management and governance capabilities to any Kubernetes cluster—whether on-premises, in another cloud, or at the edge. This service standardises container deployment and monitoring, making it easier to manage and scale containerised workloads securely.


  • Azure Arc Enabled Data Services:

    Deploy and manage cloud-native data solutions such as Azure SQL Managed Instance and PostgreSQL Hyperscale on your own infrastructure. This service bridges the gap between the agility of cloud services and the control of on-premises systems, allowing you to modernise legacy data platforms while maintaining local data sovereignty.


  • SQL Server Enabled by Azure Arc:

    Extend Azure’s management capabilities to your SQL Server instances. This integration lets you apply consistent monitoring, security, and management practices to your SQL Server databases, no matter where they are hosted.


  • Azure Arc Enabled VM Management on Azure Local:

    Manage virtual machines hosted in local data centres by integrating them into your Azure ecosystem. This approach ensures that local VMs benefit from the same centralised control, security, and governance as cloud-based resources.


  • Azure Arc Enabled VMware vSphere:

    For organisations using VMware vSphere, this service connects your VMware-managed workloads to Azure Arc, streamlining the management of virtual machines within your vSphere environment and providing a consistent hybrid management experience.


  • Azure Arc Enabled System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM):

    Integrate your SCVMM-managed environments with Azure Arc. This connection extends Azure’s management capabilities to your virtual machines managed via SCVMM, ensuring they comply with modern security and governance standards.

Implement Azure Arc using Landing Zone Accelerators

To ensure a robust and secure deployment, many organisations utilise Azure Arc Landing Zone Accelerators. These accelerators provide guidance on best practices and design patterns, covering aspects such as security, networking, compliance, and operational management. By following these recommendations, you can ensure your Azure Arc implementation is aligned with industry best practices from the outset.

Benefits and Real-World Transformations

Centralised Management:

Consolidate control over on-premises, multi-cloud, and edge resources into one unified platform.

Uniform Security and Governance:

  • Enforce consistent security policies across all environments to ensure robust compliance.
  • Utilise automated monitoring and real-time threat detection to minimise risks.

Industry Success:

  • Financial Sector: A leading bank consolidated its scattered data centres using Azure Arc Enabled Servers and Kubernetes, resulting in enhanced compliance and streamlined reporting.

    Read more: Financial Services on Azure Arc.

  • Retail Industry: A prominent retailer modernised its legacy systems with Azure Arc Enabled Data Services, achieving faster response times and improved operational agility.

    Read more: Retail on Azure Arc.

How SoftwareOne Can Support Your Azure Arc Journey

At SoftwareOne, we understand that every organisation’s IT environment is unique. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping you harness the full potential of Azure Arc by designing, implementing, and managing tailored solutions that meet your specific business needs. We offer:

  • Strategic Planning:
    We assess your current IT landscape and develop a customised roadmap for integrating Azure Arc across your environments.

  • Implementation Support:
    Our experts seamlessly deploy the right Azure Arc connection method—whether through ArcEnabled Servers, VMware vSphere, SCVMM, or Azure Local—with minimal disruption.

  • Ongoing Management:
    We provide continuous monitoring, maintenance, and support to ensure your infrastructure remains secure, compliant, and efficient.
A group of people walking on a sidewalk.

Let SoftwareOne be your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of hybrid cloud management. With our deep expertise and comprehensive support, you can unlock the full potential of Azure Arc and build a resilient, future-ready IT environment.

Let SoftwareOne be your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of hybrid cloud management. With our deep expertise and comprehensive support, you can unlock the full potential of Azure Arc and build a resilient, future-ready IT environment.

Author

shailender-choudhary-contact

Shailender Choudhary
Solution Architect – Cloud Services