Azure Backup is a simple and cost-effective backup-as-a-service solution that delivers protection for customers’ data no matter where it resides. Along with Azure Site Recovery, Azure Backup offers minimal maintenance and consistent tools for offsite backups and operational recovery.

We realize there are a ton of solutions for backup and recovery out there but why complicate stuff especially if you’re already using Office 365? We’ve found that our customers particularly like the simplified management of a solution that’s integrated with their existing identity and access management solution in the form of Azure Active Directory in Office 365.

If you’re still a little fuzzy about how the whole thing works, here are three key concepts to remember.

STORAGE
Microsoft Azure provides bottomless storage that can scale up or down as needed to meet changing requirements. Data stored in the cloud can be accessed from anywhere that will work regardless of the operating system. On Azure, stored data gets enterprise-grade protection, including redundant storage with multiple copies kept automatically to prevent data loss due to unexpected systems failure.

BACKUP
Backup and disaster recovery both involve storing data primarily for data protection and business continuity. Backup, however, is about making sure you don’t lose files while disaster recovery is about making sure you don’t lose files AND that you can continue to operate your business seamlessly after an unexpected event impacting your primary site. Basically, your business continues while work is underway to restore systems.

RECOVERY
Disaster recovery is generally focused on getting services back up and running fast. For example, you took an off-site backup an hour before a fire damages your servers. Your files are safe but how are you going to get your applications and services back up and running? That’s where disaster recovery comes in: restoring files AND services quickly so you can be back in business in minutes–not in weeks but in minutes.