Have you ever wondered what fuels the fantastic advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) that are transforming our world? From self-driving cars to intelligent virtual assistants, the magic behind these innovations lies in more than just intelligent algorithms. Immense computing power makes it all possible.

In this blog, we will delve into the crucial role of computing power in AI development. We’ll spotlight how Azure AI and Azure Compute Services lead the charge. We’ll explore how Microsoft’s powerful tools enable researchers and businesses to push AI boundaries. So, buckle up and join us on this exciting journey into the heart of modern technology and discover how Azure is powering the future of AI!

What is Azure AI?

Azure AI is a collection of powerful tools and services offered by Microsoft Azure. Created to help developers and data scientists quickly build, launch, and manage AI applications.

Key features include Azure Machine Learning, Azure Cognitive Services, and Azure Applied AI Services. These tools support various AI tasks like machine learning, understanding natural language, and interpreting images. Azure AI makes it straightforward to develop and deploy advanced AI solutions.

Why Choose Azure AI:

Azure AI is a collection of powerful tools and services offered by Microsoft Azure. Created to help developers and data scientists quickly build, launch, and manage AI applications.

Why Choose Azure AI:

Easy to use: User-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop features make it accessible for businesses without extensive AI expertise.

Cloud-based: Utilize Azure’s cloud infrastructure for data management, model training, and AI deployment with minimal upfront costs.

Scalable and secure: Azure AI services offer scalability and robust security, allowing businesses to adapt and ensure data privacy.

The Importance of Computing Power in AI

AI and cloud computing are best friends now because they thrive on automation. AI takes care of simple tasks, boosting efficiency so that you can focus more on creative and innovative projects. Meanwhile, cloud offers the perfect setup for AI applications. It provides the necessary computing power, storage, and scalability to manage the massive data algorithms needed.

Due to investments in cloud technology, AI adoption has surged. According to a Deloitte study (2019), 70% of companies acquire their AI capabilities through cloud-based software, and 65% develop AI applications using cloud services. Leading cloud providers like AWS and Azure offer many AI algorithms, significantly facilitating businesses’ access to AI technology.

Overall, computing power is the backbone of practical AI applications, enabling them to process data, run algorithms, train models, and deliver real-time results efficiently and accurately.

Azure Compute Services

Azure Compute Services are essential cloud tools that let you deploy and manage workloads on Microsoft Azure. They provide the infrastructure, tools, and platforms needed for computing and storage and are the foundation for any cloud solution.

These services harness the power of the Microsoft Azure portal to offer scalable, secure, reliable, and cost-effective cloud computing. They make deploying and managing applications and workloads in the cloud easy.

Some popular Azure Compute Services include:

Azure Virtual Machines
Azure Container Instances
Azure App Service
Azure Functions (serverless computing)
Networking
Database services
Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS)

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In conclusion, Azure AI is a powerful suite of AI-driven tools and services designed to empower businesses with innovative AI capabilities. With Azure AI, companies can develop intelligent applications, harness big data, and create personalized customer experiences. The platform offers customizable models and pre-built AI solutions for quick and efficient application deployment.

ECF Data is a proud Microsoft Solutions partner. We provide a wide range of Azure AI solutions tailored to businesses of all sizes. Our team of experts can help you select the right tools and services to meet your specific needs, explain Azure AI pricing, develop custom AI solutions, and seamlessly integrate Azure AI into your existing systems. We also offer ongoing support to ensure your AI applications perform optimally.

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In today’s global landscape, many organizations face challenges in facilitating communication and collaboration across diverse linguistic backgrounds. However, Azure AI Translator, a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft, offers a comprehensive solution to address multilingual communication needs within IT management.

This technical blog aims to provide organizations with a thorough understanding of how Azure AI Translator can revolutionize language translation and streamline global operations.

Azure AI Translator is a cloud-based service that provides real-time document and text translation through a simple REST API call. The service uses neural machine translation technology to enable language translation across a wide range of supported languages. Capable of processing up to 90 languages and dialects, with free text translation within any operating system. It also offers features such as document translation and is a part of the Azure AI service family. As a part of its introductory offer, the service provides a generous number of free translation characters for an initial period.

Additionally, resources such as documentation, YouTube tutorials, and support for custom ML models through Language Studio are available, offering an easy-to-use experience for building and creating custom ML models for text processing using your data.

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Table of Contents

1 Azure AI Translator inner working and benefits

1.1 REST API

1.2 Neural Machine Translation Technology

1.3 Multifaceted Language Support

1.4 Seamless Integration and Scalability

1.5 Cost-Efficient Translation Solutions

1.6 Enhancing Global Collaboration and Efficiency

Azure AI Translator inner working and benefits

REST API

REST API is a widely used architectural style for designing networked applications. It enables different systems to communicate with each other over the internet by exchanging data in a readable format, usually in JSON or XML. REST APIs allow for resource creation, retrieval, updating, and deletion through uniform and predictable URIs. They are used in web development, mobile app development, and cloud-based services, enabling interoperability between diverse software systems and platforms.

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Neural Machine Translation Technology

The service utilizes advanced neural machine translation technology, ensuring high accuracy and natural language fluency in translations. This technology enables Azure AI Translator to capture the nuanced context of complete sentences, facilitating accurate and contextually relevant translations vital for IT operations and collaboration.

Multifaceted Language Support

Azure AI Translator supports various languages, empowering IT managers to bridge communication gaps across diverse linguistic landscapes. Whether text-to-text, speech-to-text, or speech-to-speech translations, the service provides comprehensive linguistic coverage to meet the diverse needs of global IT teams.

Seamless Integration and Scalability

IT managers can easily create a Translator resource within the Azure portal, enabling seamless integration of translation capabilities into their IT systems. Furthermore, the service’s simple REST API call allows for easy scalability, making it suitable for managing translation needs across various IT projects and initiatives.

Cost-Efficient Translation Solutions

With Azure AI Translator, IT managers can leverage cost-efficient machine translation, including a free tier that offers 2 million characters per month for the first year. This enables IT teams to explore and integrate language translation capabilities without significant upfront costs, paving the way for innovative multilingual IT solutions.

Enhancing Global Collaboration and Efficiency

By leveraging Azure AI Translator, IT managers can empower their teams to communicate and collaborate seamlessly, regardless of language barriers. This fosters a more inclusive and efficient global IT environment where language no longer hinders productivity and innovation.

In conclusion, Azure AI Translator is a transformative tool, enabling seamless multilingual communication, fostering global collaboration, and enhancing operational efficiency within a global organization.

For insights on optimizing the advantages of Microsoft Azure AI Translate or other IT management solutions, feel free to reach out to the ECF DATA team. We stand ready to support you with a wide array of IT solutions.

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Staying ahead of the curve is essential for organizations hungry for transformation and innovation. Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, has been at the forefront of enabling IT transformation for businesses of all sizes and industries. Committing to consistently improve and advance, Azure constantly introduces new features and updates that redefine the possibilities of IT.

In this blog, we focus on the latest Azure updates that reshape the IT landscape. From tools for automation to enhanced security measures, Azure’s latest offerings promise to transform how businesses approach their IT strategies. Join us on this exploration of Microsoft Azure’s latest developments and how it can drive IT transformation.

What are Azure’s New Features in 2023?

Edge Computing

Edge computing is rising as a trend in the cloud computing realm. Azure is actively making strategic investments in this field.

Edge computing facilitates the processing and analysis of data close to its source. It minimizes latency and intensifies the real-time decision-making potential. Azure’s suite of Edge services empowers businesses to widen the reach of their applications and services. Alternatively, it unlocks new opportunities across various sectors like IoT, healthcare, and manufacturing.

Hybrid Cloud Adoption

Around 85 percent of organizations say that they have an existing hybrid cloud strategy. An even higher 91 percent express the belief that hybrid cloud will remain a long-term approach.

Companies are blending on-site infrastructure with Azure cloud services for a smooth computing environment. This method delivers flexibility, scalability, and better data security, enabling organizations to efficiently optimize their resources.

Containerization

Containerization is now a favored way to deploy and oversee applications, and Azure portal provides a strong container environment. Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) streamlines the deployment, expansion, and administration of containerized apps, delivering agility and effectiveness. As container use grows, Azure will further improve its container services and integrate them with widely used container orchestration platforms.

AI and Machine Learning Integration

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are reshaping industries, and Azure leads in this. Azure offers a variety of AI and ML services, including ready-made models, development frameworks, and data analytics tools. As businesses tap into AI and ML’s potential, Azure’s offerings in this field will keep growing.

What lies ahead for Microsoft Azure?

Internet of Things (IoT) will be more prevalent.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing fast, linking to billions of devices and producing huge data volumes. Azure IoT Hub helps businesses securely connect, monitor, and oversee IoT devices on a large scale.

As IoT evolves, Microsoft Azure will likely enhance its IoT abilities. It offers advanced analytics, edge integration, and seamless connectivity to empower innovative IoT solutions.

You will see a rise in Serverless Computing Adoption.

Serverless computing, or Function as a Service (FaaS), is a model that lets developers concentrate on coding without handling server tasks. Azure Functions, Azure’s serverless solution, is gaining traction for its scalability and cost-efficiency. In the coming years, we anticipate more organizations will embrace serverless computing on Azure for its agility and scalability benefits.

There will be progress in Quantum Computing.

Quantum computing has the potential to transform industries by solving complex problems exponentially faster than classical computers. Microsoft has made substantial progress in quantum computing R&D, and Azure Quantum offers developers tools to delve into this emerging field. As quantum computing advances, Microsoft Azure will be key to fostering its adoption and facilitating groundbreaking innovations.

Improved Security and Privacy Features will be a priority.

Data privacy and security management are top priorities, and Microsoft Azure is continually enhancing its strong security features. Azure Security Center provides advanced threat protection, vulnerability management, and security analytics to assist organizations in protecting their cloud environments. As threats become more complex, the Azure environment will further improve its security services, delivering customers a secure and compliant platform.

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With these enhancements, it’s evident that ECF Data is exclusively dedicated to Microsoft technologies. As Azure captures a substantial 21% share of the cloud computing infrastructure market revenue, we take pride in our expertise in this field.

Stay informed about the latest developments in Azure and Microsoft by following our blog. Or click the button below to talk to our Azure experts for inquiries.

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With changing work landscapes and behaviors, businesses are looking for ways to thrive through these shifts. It also caused the rise on virtual machines and cloud platforms and for companies to support a hybrid environment.

Virtual Desktop Solutions became the most fitting solution because it promotes remote access and enhanced mobility. And, it permits using a secure and flexible experience across multiple devices and networks. Compared to physical desktops that limit employees to the office, virtual desktops deliver a new set of benefits.

Join us as we explore the versatile world of Azure Virtual Desktop and discover how it can transform the way you work, collaborate, and innovate.

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Table of Contents

1 What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

1.1 The Benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop

1.2 Top 6 Azure Virtual Desktop Use Cases:

1.2.1 Use Case One: Finance

1.2.2 Use Case Two: Legal

1.2.3 Use Case Three: Healthcare

1.2.4 Use Case Four: Manufacturing

1.2.5 Use Case Five: Education

1.2.6 Use Case Six: Call Centre

1.3 A Seamless Transition to Azure Virtual Desktop

What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

Stepping up in the virtual desktop game is the Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). Powered by Microsoft Azure, AVD is a cloud-based, multi-session, and comprehensive desktop and app virtualization service. It provides unified management on Windows 7, 10, and 10 multi-sessions, depending on configuration.

Many companies treat AVD as an asset. It provides several advantages, such as reducing costs, promoting secure work, maximizing cloud investment value, and simplifying modern work environments. When considering its benefits, the AVD cost becomes a crucial factor to evaluate.

Compared to Windows 365, Azure Virtual Desktop offers the flexibility of a desktop solution. We’ve made another article that goes more in-depth about this. You can read it in our previous Blog “Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365? Let’s Compare”.

On this page, we present some examples of potential use cases. Understanding the Azure Virtual Desktop cost can be a deciding factor for your organization in these scenarios.

The Benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop

In 2019, Azure Virtual Desktop benefitted companies across industries. Beyond its security, reliability, and enhanced virtualization capabilities, it provided a seamless desktop experience similar to an office setup. This made it popular during the pandemic, as work-from-home orders were in effect, and the need to maintain productivity was crucial.

A Seamless Transition to Azure Virtual Desktop

The Azure Virtual Desktop has been an ever-growing and maturing platform. Being under Microsoft’s umbrella ensures continuous improvement. If you’re interested in the cloud desktop virtualization platform, check our series of blogs to assess its suitability for your organization.

Azure Virtual Desktop made its debut in 2019. Yet, ECF Data’s expert team has since acquired training, certifications, and extensive experience in deploying this solution. As a Microsoft Gold-Certified partner, we are deeply committed to your success.

We actively address any challenges you encounter. Whether they are related to Azure Virtual Desktop pricing, cost considerations, or leveraging Azure Managed Services to drive your business transformation.

Reach out to our team today to begin your journey.

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The popularity of Microsoft Teams skyrocketed during the pandemic. Several factors caused its rise, but the main drivers are the company’s continuous digital transformation programs and an increase in working and learning from home individuals. In effect, Microsoft Teams has become a must-have for collaboration, productivity, conferencing, and communication tool. But, like any other software, Microsoft Teams sometimes comes with a flaw.

Lucky for you though, ECF Data is here to help! Continue reading as we help you solve the most common Teams problems:

Audio or Camera not working properly ?

We get it. It can be a nerve-wracking moment when you are about to have a major call and then suddenly, your webcam or your audio unexpectedly stopped working. When this is happening to you, two things may be to blame – the hardware of your webcam or your microphone. Here’s what you can do:

Check if your microphone and webcam are selected before starting or joining the call. This can be done by looking at the left part of Teams app as there is a toggle switch for your microphone.
Make sure that you’ve chosen the default speaker and microphone from the pool. Go to your settings and select “PC Mic and Speakers”.
You can also check if the issue comes from your permissions. Usually, this happens when you’re using the Teams web app. Ensure that your webpage and web browser are granted permission for your webcam and mic. An Allow prompt usually pops up. If not, change your privacy settings.

New messages not loading ?

If you can’t see the latest threads or messages on your Teams apps, what you can do is restart your Teams app and manually force a refresh. This usually solves the problem, and the steps only vary depending on the OS that you’re using.

For Windows users: Right-click the Teams’ icon then choose “Quit.” This step completely shuts down Microsoft Teams, which is different when you simply close the program.

For Mac users: On your dock, locate your Teams icon. Right-click it and choose “Quit.” Reload Microsoft Teams after and your new messages will appear.

If the issue persists, another option that you can try is the Teams web app instead of the desktop app. Logging in and out of your account is another option that you can investigate. Simply hit your profile picture and pick the “Sign Out” option.

Notifications not showing up

As a productivity and communications app, notifications are a fantastic feature of Teams because it gives you the extra prompt that you need. If you’re not receiving notifications, these are the steps that you can follow:

Enable the proper settings on the Teams app. You can do this by going to the App, navigating the Three Dots next to your Profile Picture, then try selecting “Settings”, then “Notifications”. Check if the notifications are on and the permissions indicated are what they should be. Adjust what is necessary.
If you are on the web app, try to check if you have enabled them. You can see the notifications prompt on the bottom right corner of the screen and click Turn on.

Freezing Microsoft Teams

If you’re experiencing a slow and freezing Microsoft Teams, the suspected reason for that is your device is processing power or memory. When this happens, it may translate to a larger problem. But worry not. We can help you.

If you are using the Teams App, press Ctrl, Alt, and Delete. A menu will appear then select “Task Manager,” then “Microsoft Teams” from the active apps and processes list. A Task Manager window will appear and click “End Task” on the bottom right. Click the Teams App as you would before and see if the problem persists.

If you’re using a web app, conducting a hard refresh may alleviate the problem. First step for this is to press “CTRL+R.” This process reboot’s the browser’s cache and loads your latest correspondence. If this step doesn’t solve it, you can try pressing “Ctrl + Alt + Delete.” A menu will appear and simply select “Task Manager.” A list of active apps and processes will appear and click the browser that you’re using. Click “End Task” after.

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The tools we use every day can affect how we work together and get things done. I’ve seen firsthand how Microsoft Teams has become a cornerstone in the Microsoft product suite, constantly evolving to meet the needs of a global workforce.

Microsoft Teams offers two strong options: Teams Copilot and Teams Premium. Both have truly transformed the way organizations work, boosting productivity and enhancing collaboration.

But how do you pick the one that’s best for your team? Whether you’re aiming to simplify your daily tasks with AI (Artificial Intelligence) assistance, or you need top-notch security and advanced meeting features, this guide will help you make the right decision for your organization.

Let’s explore the differences between Teams Premium and Microsoft 365 Copilot in terms of their AI features.

What is Teams Copilot?

Copilot is a generative AI digital assistant that combines extensive language model data from Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 apps for productivity and task automation.

Copilot for Microsoft Teams is included as part of the Copilot for Microsoft 365 license. It uses generative AI to enhance the Teams meeting experience with features including the following:

Automatic meeting summarization
Chatbot for meeting attendees to ask questions or catch up on missed information
Creation of meeting agendas from chats
Capture and assignment of meeting action items

Copilot for Teams can summarize chat discussions and lets users query past chats and data stored in Microsoft files. Additionally, it can create documents based on chat conversations. Microsoft plans to bring Copilot to Teams Phone to enable call summarization and analysis.

What is Teams Premium?

Teams Premium, a sophisticated upgrade within the Microsoft Teams ecosystem, leverages artificial intelligence to deliver a personalized, efficient, and secure meeting experience. The focus of this is to make meetings more productive. It allows participants to concentrate on discussions rather than getting bogged down in notetaking and task management. Below are some of the Teams Premium features you can access:

AI-Powered or Intelligent Meeting Recaps: Picture leaving a meeting with a complete summary already waiting for you. That’s what Teams Premium offers with its “Intelligence Recap” feature. GPT’s AI automatically creates detailed notes and action items, so you don’t have to worry about jotting everything down yourself.
Enhanced Security Features: Teams Premium takes security seriously, offering advanced protections like watermarking and end-to-end encryption. These features ensure your meetings and shared data stay safe and address the critical need for privacy and data protection in today’s digital world.
Customized Meeting Environments: Teams Premium goes beyond just efficiency. It allows businesses to add an individualized touch to their meetings. With custom themes and backgrounds, you can reflect your brand identity and create a more engaging, professional atmosphere.

Comparing Microsoft Teams Premium and Copilot for Teams

On the surface, Teams Copilot and Teams Premium have major differences and overlap. Teams Premium marks Microsoft’s initial step into incorporating generative AI within Teams.

This add-on for Microsoft Teams includes features like Copilot, such as the automatic intelligent recap of meetings (if transcripts are available).

However, there are two critical distinctions between Teams Premium and Microsoft 365 Copilot:
Teams Premium does not offer a chat function for writing prompts.
Teams Premium does not integrate with data stored in other Microsoft 365 apps.

As a result, unlike Copilot, Teams Premium does not enable users to create custom prompts or generate updated content using data from apps like Word or Excel.

On the other hand, Copilot lacks several features offered by Teams Premium, such as real-time subtitle translation, enhanced meeting security, branding options, and interaction with external users.

Teams vs. Teams Premium: Microsoft Teams Premium Licensing

Microsoft Teams Premium is an add-on license for businesses with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, designed to enhance their Teams experience with additional features. Let’s begin by looking at the advanced meeting protection features that Teams Premium provides:

The pricing for the two products varies significantly. Both Copilot and Teams Premium include the popular feature of Intelligent Meeting Recap. Here are some key points to consider:

Teams Premium is available for $7 per month with an annual commitment, and you can choose to pay monthly.
Copilot is offered only as an annual plan, requiring a one-time payment of $360.
Under NCE terms, Teams Premium can be purchased monthly at a 20% premium of $8.40.
Trials are available for Teams Premium but not for Copilot.

If you consider bringing these solutions into your daily workflow, our team is here to help.

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As Microsoft keeps pushing the boundaries of its cloud offerings, the renaming of Azure AD is a big deal. In case you missed the memo, here’s the scoop: Azure AD is now known as Microsoft Entra ID.

If you’ve been using Microsoft products for a while, you’re used to these changes by now. Microsoft has a habit of giving its tools new names: Microsoft Flow became Power Automate, Windows Virtual Desktop is now, Azure Virtual Desktop and Phone System was renamed Teams Phone. The list goes on, but that’s just Microsoft being Microsoft!

In this blog, we’ll delve into this makeover, features, and the cost of Azure AD.

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Table of Contents

What is Microsoft Entra ID/ Azure AD?

Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based service for identity and access management. It consists of a database storing user details and permissions. Formerly, Azure AD provided services for authenticating and authorizing employees, allowing them to have secure access to approved IT resources. These resources include internal assets like intranet data and tools, as well as external ones like Microsoft 365 and various SaaS applications.

Microsoft Entra ID is not just a cloud-hosted version of AD. Instead, it’s a unique solution integrated into the Microsoft Entra ID cloud platform. Moreover, on-premises Active Directory can coexist with Entra ID, creating hybrid AD environments.

In plain language, Entra ID makes it easy for your company’s employees to securely access resources on different platforms, which is essential for keeping your organization safe.

What are the Features of Entra ID/Azure AD?

Access Management

Microsoft Entra ID offers safe and effortless application access from any location or device. Functionalities like Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) safeguard your resources by allowing only authorized users to log in.

Identity Protection

Microsoft Entra ID stands out for its robust identity protection functionalities. By leveraging sophisticated machine learning algorithms, it identifies possible identity-related risks and implements risk-based Conditional Access rules to address them. This proactive approach shields your organization from unauthorized login activities, thus ensuring the security of your confidential information.

Identity Governance

Microsoft Entra ID efficiently and securely oversees digital identities with its identity governance functionalities. It verifies individuals’ appropriate access to specific resources, offers detailed visibility into access behaviors, and helps to quickly spot issues for fast action.

Privileged Managed Identities

Microsoft Entra ID enhances your authority over administrative duties and assets. These tools enable you to oversee, regulate, and supervise access to critical resources within your organization, minimizing security threats.

B2B and B2C Identity Services

Microsoft Entra ID caters to more than just internal users. It also provides identity services for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-customer (B2C) scenarios. These services enable you to securely distribute your applications to partners and customers, ensuring controlled access permissions.

Microsoft Entra ID / Azure AD Pricing

The chosen service plan determines Microsoft Entra or Azure AD’s cost. It follows a monthly per-user charging structure. Below is a summary of the AD Azure pricing for 2023:

Azure Active Directory Domain Services

Azure AD Domain Services pricing (Azure AD DS pricing) is based per hour and is determined by the SKU chosen by the tenant owner.

Service Plan Names

Since October 1, 2023, Azure AD has been renamed Microsoft Entra ID. The new service plans are Microsoft Entra ID Free, Microsoft Entra ID P1, and Microsoft Entra ID P2. Nevertheless, the functionalities in the existing Azure AD plans remain unchanged.

Starting Price

Different plans have varying starting price points. Microsoft enhances affordability by offering a free plan for Microsoft Entra ID. To fully understand the available plans, let’s delve into the details of each one below.

Microsoft Entra ID Service Plans

Like the solution name, the pricing plans of Azure AD underwent through a name change.

Azure AD Free -> Microsoft Entra ID Free

Azure AD Premium Plan 1 (included in Microsoft 365 E3) -> Microsoft Entra ID Plan 1 (included in Microsoft 365 E3)

Azure AD Premium Plan 2 (included in Microsoft 365 E5) -> Microsoft Entra ID Plan 2 (included in Microsoft 365 E5)

Azure Active Directory Premium P1 for government -> Microsoft Entra ID P1 for government

If you’re an Azure AD user, it’s important to note that the inclusions on these service plans did not change, only the names. Now, let’s discuss each service plan.

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Because of the rise of AI, businesses are increasingly turning to cloud platforms to harness the power of AI technologies. Among the frontrunners in this domain is Microsoft Azure. It offers a comprehensive suite of AI services that cater to diverse business needs. As businesses start using Azure AI in their operations, understanding the pricing can be a puzzling challenge.

This blog post delves into the intricate world of Azure AI Pricing. From understanding the various pricing models to navigating the plethora of AI service models available, we aim to equip you with the knowledge needed to optimize your investment in Azure.

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Artificial Intelligence (AI)

OpenAI on Microsoft Azure brings powerful AI models into your Azure environment, like GPT-3 and ChatGPT. This integration allows you to run models in the same region as your production code. It enhances performance and maintains data security.

Why choose OpenAI on Azure?

It leverages Azure’s robust infrastructure, aligning with familiar tools for developers and benefiting from Microsoft’s scalability and global data center network.

Explore Azure Open AI Pricing Options

Like Azure’s services, such as Azure Cognitive Services for AI, Azure OpenAI’s cost operates on a pay-as-you-go consumption approach. It ensures you pay solely for the resources you utilize. The price per unit is determined by the model’s type and size and the quantity of tokens employed in both input and output.

GPT-3.5 models

The current gpt-3.5-turbo has a 4,096-token limit, while the newer gpt-3.5-turbo-16k has a 16,384-token limit. Both are priced at $0.002 per 1,000 tokens for prompts or completions.

GPT-4 models

GPT-4 models come in two versions: the GPT -4 model, which has an 8,192 token limit, and the GPT-4 32k, which has a 32,768 token limit.

The GPT-4 model in prompt mode costs $0.03 for an 8K context and $0.06 for a 32K context per 1,000 tokens. In completion mode, the prices are $0.06 for an 8K context and $0.12 for a 32K context per 1,000 tokens.

How words are divided into tokens depends on the language. For instance, the phrase ‘Cómo estás’ (‘How are you’ in Spanish) consists of 5 tokens (covering 10 characters). The higher ratio of tokens to characters can increase the cost of using the API for languages other than English.

To explore tokenization further, you can utilize our interactive Tokenizer tool to calculate token numbers and observe how text is segmented. If you prefer programmatically tokenizing text, consider using Tiktoken, a rapid BPE tokenizer designed for OpenAI models. Other libraries, like the transformers package for Python or the GPT-3 encoder package for node.js, are also worth exploring.

Depending on the chosen model, requests can use up to 4,097 tokens shared between prompts and completions. If your prompt uses 4,000 tokens, your completion can have a maximum of 97 tokens.

Fine-tuned model

You can only fine-tune GPT-3 models (Ada, curie, DaVinci, Babbage), collectively known as “base” models.

According to Microsoft Learn, the charges for Azure OpenAI fine-tuned models depend on three factors:

Training hours
Hosting hours
Inference per 1,000 tokens

Consider the hosting hours cost carefully. Once a fine-tuned model is deployed, it accumulates an hourly cost, regardless of its active usage. Monitoring the costs of fine-tuned models is essential.

*** Currently, Azure OpenAI Service does not support fine-tuned models.

Embedding model

Azure OpenAI Service provides an embedding model alongside image and large language models. The standard embedding model, Ada, costs $0.0001 per 1,000 tokens.

DALL-E

Azure OpenAI Service, including image models, operates with pricing determined by the number of images processed, making it relevant for those exploring “Azure OpenAI Service pricing.” The standard image model, DALL-E, costs $2 for every 100 images.

Navigate Azure OpenAI Pricing with Expert Guidance

Azure OpenAI is a powerful tool for businesses, integrating seamlessly with Azure for advanced AI capabilities. It automates processes like natural language processing and image recognition, enhancing efficiency. This collaboration between Microsoft and OpenAI has proven impactful globally. Businesses can leverage these advances to automate tasks, improve operations, and unleash limitless potential!

We have investigated the prices for each service, and this page will be regularly updated with the latest information. Feel free to reach out if you have questions or need clarification on using Azure OpenAI services, including their use cases. Additionally, don’t hesitate to contact us for pricing details on specific services mentioned in this blog.

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Communication tools have evolved throughout the years, from email to live chat. The telephone, in contrast, remains a vital, unchanging channel. Despite new methods, phone systems are still essential for direct, immediate contact with customers and within teams.

While Slack and Microsoft Teams have transformed team collaboration, they can’t match the immediacy and effectiveness of a phone call. For urgent issues or personal touches, the phone remains essential.

In this blog, we’ll dive into how the Teams Phone system is revolutionizing traditional phone systems. It seamlessly integrates with your existing tools, enhancing communication for today’s businesses. Join us as we uncover how this solution bridges the gap between classic methods and modern digital demands.

Microsoft Teams Phone Explained

Microsoft Teams Phone is a cloud-based system that allows you to make and receive voice and video calls over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or an internet connection. With Teams Phone, you can take incoming calls from various devices and seamlessly transfer calls between them. It offers features like call queues, auto attendants, recording, transcription, and more.

Though we have discussed the new Teams Phone features here, we have also listed below some of its features:

Call Park and retrieve – Holding a call when the recipient isn’t available

Users can place a call on a cloud server, generating a unique code. Anyone on your team can use this code to retrieve the call from any location.

Auto-attendant – Directly connect callers to the correct department without manual transfers.

It enables creating a menu system to help callers find, place, or transfer calls to the appropriate user or department.

Cloud call queues – Keep callers engaged and valued while they wait in call queues

Allows you to manage call queues with options like greetings, hold music, or auto-transfers to the next available employee.

Device switching – Allow users to switch between their desk phone, mobile device, or PC during team meetings.

It lets you play a call or meeting from any connected Teams device, no matter where you are.

Essential Factors to Consider When Starting with Teams Phone

Although Microsoft Teams Phones offer many benefits.

Factors considered before switching:

Security and Compliance: Data security should be a top priority, especially in regulated sectors. Collaborate with your legal and IT teams to ensure customer data meets industry standards and avoid future issues. Features like multi-factor authentication, encryption, and access controls can protect your organization and customers.

Integration: Considering the technical implications of integrating Microsoft Teams Phones into your current communications systems is essential. These systems must be unified, so each must be incorporated into the new platform. Ensure your IT team assesses your current infrastructure and requirements before creating a plan for integration.

Change Management: Change management goes hand in hand with migration.

Supervisors should guide, support, train, and communicate with workers to ensure they use Microsoft Teams Phones effectively and safely.

Modernize Your Phone System Using Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams Plans are cloud-based solutions that enable SMBs to replace traditional phone systems. These plans allow users to make, receive, and transfer calls to and from PSTN through Microsoft Teams.

With a Teams Calling Plan, you can set up toll numbers, toll-free numbers, and automated phone menus and assign phone numbers to employees. It turns any computer, phone, or tablet into a Teams phone, allowing you to respond to calls anytime and anywhere, essential for remote workers and field personnel. Transfer your current phone numbers over.

Maximize your Teams’ Potential with The ECF Data’s Expertise

In the remote work age, a unified communication platform is crucial. It helps eliminate errors, miscommunications, and redundancies while saving money and providing flexibility. Over 80 million people have switched to such solutions.

We offer custom telecom solutions with over 14 years of experience nationwide. We can help you utilize Microsoft Teams Phones to consolidate your communications and create a seamless, collaborative environment.

If you’re ready to discuss a Teams Calling Plan or want to know more about Teams pricing, click the button below to contact our ECF Data licensing experts.

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Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing platform, is essential for businesses looking to innovate, scale, and enhance their digital infrastructure. It offers a wide range of services that enable organizations to deploy applications, manage resources, and store data securely and cost-effectively.

For many businesses, Microsoft Azure is a central hub for analytics, offering over a dozen services. These include Power BI, AI-powered analysis and data mart options, and governance tools like Microsoft Purview.

However, many businesses need to leverage Azure’s potential fully. The platform’s vast array of tools can be overwhelming, leading to underuse of features that could significantly boost productivity, security, and efficiency. By fully utilizing these tools, organizations can unlock new performance levels and achieve their goals more effectively.

This blog will highlight seven powerful Azure resources you need to leverage more. These tools offer unique functionalities to streamline processes, enhance security, and provide valuable insights. Here are some useful but underused Azure features and what makes them unique.

Azure Tools You Should Be Using More

Microsoft Azure SQL for Database

Overview: Microsoft Azure SQL is a managed cloud database platform that leverages traditional SQL technology to simplify database management for organizations.

Key Feature: It offers a fully managed service that handles database administration tasks such as patching, backups, and scaling, allowing businesses to focus on development.

Use Case: Ideal for web and mobile applications, Azure SQL supports a robust and scalable backend for managing data, ensuring high performance and availability.

Azure Cost Analysis to monitor your costs

Overview: Azure Cost Analysis is a tool that helps organizations estimate and manage their cloud expenses effectively.

Key Feature: This Microsoft Azure cloud tool provides detailed cost breakdowns and forecasting to optimize and control spending.

Use Case: Ideal for budgeting and financial planning, Azure Cost Analysis enables businesses to predict future costs and identify areas for cost-saving.

Optimizing Azure Compute for Performance and Cost Savings

Azure Cost Optimization: 8 Proven Ways to Smash Costs

Azure Active Directoryto protect 99.9% of cyberattacks

Overview: Azure Active Directory, a component of Microsoft Entra, is an enterprise identity service providing single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and conditional access to protect against 99.9% of cyberattacks.

Key Feature: This Azure security tool enhances security and user experience with solid authentication and adaptive access policies. It also streamlined access through intelligent governance and automation.

Use Case: Ideal for enterprises needing to manage identities and user access across on-premises and cloud-based applications, ensuring efficient and secure resource access control.

Azure Firewall

to rapidly scale and ensure high availability during operation

Overview: Azure Firewall is a managed cloud-based network security service that protects your Azure Virtual Network resources.

Key Feature: It allows you to create, enforce, and log application and network connectivity policies across subscriptions and virtual networks with built-in high availability and unlimited cloud scalability.

Use Case: Azure Firewall uses real-time security signals and Microsoft threat intelligence to protect against evolving threats and zero-day vulnerabilities.

Azure Advisor to help you with what you need

An Azure Advisor like ECF Data analyzes your current Azure usage and suggests improvements. It helps you discover best practices, key features, and settings you might be overlooking. Even advanced users can find new tips and tricks through its recommendations.

Finding the Right Azure Tools for Your Business Needs

Identifying the appropriate Azure tool for your needs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We typically adhere to these criteria to streamline the software selection and purchasing process for ECF Data’s team.

Maximize Azure with ECF Data

Microsoft Azure is a versatile cloud computing platform offering numerous features and benefits for businesses of all sizes. It provides scalability, flexibility, security, cost savings, disaster recovery, collaboration, and advanced analytics. Azure continuously evolves, introducing new features that ensure businesses access the latest technology and capabilities.

Extensive documentation and support make it easy for businesses to get started and maximize the platform’s potential. For those considering cloud computing, Microsoft Azure is a valuable option. Its comprehensive range of services can elevate your organization and keep you competitive.

As a Microsoft Gold Partner, ECF Data specializes in helping businesses migrate to and manage Microsoft Azure. Contact our team if you have questions regarding Microsoft Azure, its pricing, and its implementation.

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