Azure Cloud Services for Schools & MATs
Senior Azure architecture for schools and MATs, built to make your IT an advantage, not an overhead.
Independent, Bromborough-based, Microsoft Partner. You deal with Eric, and the person who scopes the work is the person who does it.
Six questions, about two minutes. You get a written fix list in the order worth closing things, and it is yours to keep whether we ever speak or not. We answer within 2 working hours.
Your staff need to reach SIMS, Arbor, curriculum resources and administrative systems securely, from anywhere. We've already built and run this, so you get the shortcut past the mistakes, not an experiment on your school's systems. Independent Azure specialists; nothing to resell, no surprise bills.
Not sure which tier fits your school? Book a no-cost 20-minute scoping call - we'll look at your setup and tell you straight what fits. No pressure, no sales pitch.
Why Schools Move to Azure
Remote Access to School Systems
SIMS, Arbor, PS Financials, curriculum planning tools - access your full desktop environment from any device via Azure Virtual Desktop. Same experience as being on campus.
No More Server Refresh Projects
Physical servers need replacing every 4-5 years. That's a significant capital expense competing with educational priorities. Azure eliminates hardware refresh cycles entirely.
Scale for Peak Periods
Need more computing power for exam results day, UCAS deadlines, or Ofsted preparation? Scale up Azure resources temporarily. Only pay for what you use.
Business Continuity
School floods, fire, or power cut? Your Azure infrastructure keeps running. Admin staff work from home, SLT access critical systems, learning continues.
Enterprise-Grade Security
Microsoft invests $1 billion annually in security. You get the same infrastructure used by banks and government - protecting sensitive pupil data.
Compliance Ready
Azure is ISO 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR compliant. Easier to demonstrate security controls for Ofsted, DfE requirements, and safeguarding audits.
Azure Virtual Desktop for Schools & MATs
The most popular Azure solution for schools. Access your full Windows desktop - with all your MIS and administrative software - from any device, anywhere.
How It Works
- Your Windows desktop runs in Azure's data centres
- You connect via a secure app on any device
- Full desktop experience - SIMS, Arbor, Excel, everything works
- Pupil data never leaves the secure cloud environment
- Works on Windows, Mac, iPad, even Chromebook
Benefits for Schools & MATs
- Access MIS from home, school, or across the trust
- No VPN headaches or slow remote connections
- Lost laptop? No pupil data on the device to steal
- New teacher joining? Provision in hours, not days
- Staff leaver? Revoke access instantly - critical for safeguarding
Security Built In
- Multi-factor authentication required
- Data never downloaded to local device
- Copy/paste to local device can be blocked
- Session timeouts and idle disconnects
- Full audit trail of who accessed what
Want a Straight Answer on Fit and Cost?
Book a scoping call with our senior Azure architect. We'll look at your current setup and tell you plainly what a move to Azure would take, and what it would cost.
Other Azure Services for Schools
Azure Backup
Automated backup of your data to Azure. Ransomware-proof (attackers can't reach your Azure backups). Tested restore capability. Meet the 3-2-1 backup rule without managing tape drives.
Azure File Storage
Cloud file shares that work like traditional network drives. Map a drive letter, use as normal. But backed by Azure's global infrastructure with built-in redundancy.
Azure SQL
If your MIS or finance system uses SQL Server, Azure SQL provides a managed database service. No more patching database servers during school holidays.
Disaster Recovery
Replicate critical systems to Azure as a standby. If your primary environment fails, failover to Azure and keep working. Cheaper than maintaining a second physical site.
Migrating Your School to Azure
Assessment
Audit current infrastructure. Identify what moves to Azure, what stays on-site, what gets retired. Understand your MIS and curriculum software requirements.
Design
Architect your Azure environment. Size virtual desktops for staff and admin needs. Plan networking, security, and backup. Estimate monthly costs.
Build
Deploy Azure infrastructure. Install and configure your MIS and administrative software. Set up security policies and backup. Test everything.
Migrate
Move data and users to Azure. Usually phased - admin team first, then wider staff. Typically during half-term or holidays to minimise disruption.
Optimise
Fine-tune performance. Right-size resources based on actual usage. Implement cost optimisation. Decommission old servers.
Azure Pricing for Schools & MATs
Azure is consumption-based - you pay for what you use. Here's what typical school deployments cost:
Small School (10-25 admin users)
- Azure Virtual Desktop for admin staff
- Shared session hosts
- Azure Backup
- Basic monitoring
Plus Microsoft 365 A3/A5 licensing
Secondary School (25-50 admin users)
- Azure Virtual Desktop (pooled)
- Azure File Storage
- Azure Backup with longer retention
- Enhanced monitoring
- Reserved instances for cost saving
Plus Microsoft 365 A3/A5 licensing
MAT Central Services (50+ users)
- Dedicated session hosts
- Azure SQL for MIS databases
- Advanced backup and DR
- Full monitoring suite
- Multi-site connectivity
Plus Microsoft 365 A3/A5 licensing
Note: Actual costs depend on your specific requirements - software complexity, storage needs, performance requirements, and backup retention. We provide detailed cost estimates before any commitment.
*Note: prices correct at time of writing, Microsoft reserve the right to update their licensing cost and product entitlement.
Azure vs Traditional On-Premise Servers
| Factor | On-Premise Servers | Azure Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | Significant capital outlay | No capital outlay, pay monthly |
| Hardware Refresh | Every 4-5 years | Never - Microsoft handles it |
| Remote Access | VPN (often slow/unreliable) | Native, fast, from any device |
| Disaster Recovery | Expensive second site needed | Built-in geo-redundancy |
| Scaling | Buy more hardware, wait weeks | Click a button, ready in minutes |
| Security Patching | Your responsibility | Largely automated |
| Physical Security | Office server room | Microsoft's £billions in data centres |
Common Questions About Azure for Schools & MATs
Will SIMS/Arbor work on Azure?
Yes. SIMS, Arbor, Bromcom, and other MIS platforms work on Azure Virtual Desktop exactly like they do on a local PC. We help schools and academies move these systems onto Azure Virtual Desktop, and we test your specific line-of-business apps before anything moves.
What about internet reliability?
Azure Virtual Desktop is surprisingly resilient to internet issues - it uses optimised protocols that work well even on mediocre connections. That said, we recommend business-grade internet with a 4G/5G backup for critical periods like term time.
Is pupil data safe in the cloud?
Safer than on a server in the school office. Azure data centres have 24/7 security, biometric access, redundant power, fire suppression, and are ISO 27001/SOC 2 certified. Pupil data is encrypted at rest and in transit.
What happens if Microsoft has an outage?
Azure has multiple availability zones and regions. We design for resilience - if one data centre has issues, your workload can failover. Microsoft's SLA is 99.9% uptime. Azure removes the single points of failure a local server carries.
Can we keep some things on-site?
Yes - hybrid setups are common. Perhaps your main file server moves to Azure but you keep local print servers and classroom resources. We design around your specific needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
Ready to Explore Azure for Your School?
Start with a scoping call. We'll review your current setup, identify where Azure genuinely helps, and give you a clear, honest cost comparison, no obligation.
Secured in 7 Days, or that month is on us.
Independent Microsoft Partner. Remote-first, working with schools and MATs UK-wide.
