Here at Atech, we are constantly adding new capabilities to our arsenal, whether they fall under Microsoft’s new Solution Partner and Specialism designations or from our dedication to keep up with the latest industry trends and technologies.

We are proud to announce that we are now skilled in modernising IIS websites in Azure Web Apps.

Our project team has developed a bespoke assessment package and methodology to deliver swift and smooth migrations of outdated IIS-hosted websites into Azure Web Apps.

So, if your organisation is facing setbacks in managing IIS web servers and you would like to take advantage of the benefits of Azure Apps, read on to learn more about our expertise in this area.

What exactly is an IIS web server?

IIS, or Internet Information Services, is an on-premises Microsoft web server that runs on the Windows operating system and exchanges static and dynamic web content with Internet users. It can be used to host, distribute, and manage web applications with technologies such as PHP and http://ASP.NET.

IIS is widely used because it is flexible and enables organisations to create various web-based applications and services. But like with any software package, IIS sites have security vulnerabilities, requiring IT teams to constantly stay up to date with security patches and updates to ensure the longevity of its servers. Moreover, ISS is complex to manage and, depending on its configurations, may be unable to manage high traffic volumes.

In contrast, Azure Web Apps is a cloud-based web hosting platform that integrates with other Azure services and is sold as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution that can scale as demand grows.

What are the benefits of migrating from IIS into Azure Web Apps?

Azure Web Apps is a Microsoft cloud app that empowers users to build and manage Azure static web apps. It offers several distinct advantages over proprietary IIS web applications, including:

AZ web app scalability

Azure Web Apps can scale multi-tier applications quickly, facilitate remote management of multiple resources from its central platform, and manage high web traffic with zero downtime.

Its automated load balancing and failover capabilities enable seamless switching to reliable backup systems. In addition, AZ Web Apps provides an extensive content delivery network (CDN) – an ability not available to on-premises IIS web applications.

Microsoft cloud app security

Azure Web Apps deploys enhanced security features such as SSL, DDoS protection and web application firewalls to safeguard your website from common attack methods, such as SQL injections and cross-site scripting.

While IIS can deliver the same cybersecurity protections, Azure Web Apps offer superior integration, making it easier for organisations to maintain security policies, certificates and mitigation strategies in the event of an attack.

Cost savings across Azure app services

Azure Web Apps is a PaaS which means Pay-as-you-go, making it a more affordable option for organisations looking to scale their web offerings. IIS sites require businesses to invest in infrastructure, licenses, and system maintenance upfront. For organisations looking to deploy multiple web/work roles, each with individual application files and configurations, hardware, software and maintenance, costs could run into the tens of thousands.

Alternatively, Azure Web Apps offers infrastructure updates and monitoring as part of its service. So, if you wish to scale back your Azure static web apps for any reason, you will not end up paying over the odds for resources you do not use.

High AZ web app availability and resilience

As Azure Web Apps is cloud-based, system updates are managed seamlessly, so organisations can rest assured that their applications will remain highly available and efficient at all times. In addition, website backups are automated, enabling you to restore your website to a previous state quickly.

By comparison, IIS sites depend on hardware to run and traditional backup and restore methods, which can cause significant website downtime in unexpected outages.

Microsoft Azure Web App integration

Seamless integration with other Azure app services, such as Azure SQL Database and Azure Virtual Desktop is a considerable advantage of Azure Web Apps over IIS. Atech has attained MS Solutions Partner and Advanced Specialization certificates in several Azure app disciplines, which you can read more about here.

Plus, Azure Desktop Apps can be easily integrated with DevOps tools, such as Visual Studio Team Services, to speed up your software development processes.

How to migrate IIS to Azure Web Apps

Optimal migration paths from IIS to Azure Web Apps vary depending on your organisation’s budget, time limit, data quantity and compatibility with platforms and applications.

One migration method is using the Azure App Service Migration Assistant. From this cloud migration tool, you can choose the appropriate ASP.NET Forms, and the assistant will report on the compatibility of your existing website with Azure.

However, the migration process may require additional resources if the assistant flags any compatibility issues that require system fixes. For example, you may need to update unsupported programming languages, integrate legacy or third-party tools, or modify web.config settings. These fixes may not have been accounted for in your IT budget before the migration, so it is essential to plan accordingly.

Why choose Atech to modernise and optimise your web services?

Considering the various steps involved in migrating to Azure Web Apps from IIS, it really is best to work with an expert Azure services provider like us. Our advanced MS accreditations prove that we have the skill set and experience in leveraging Azure Web Apps to meet all your company objectives.

Whether you wish to migrate your web offering at speed to meet your sales targets or, you want to scale services to a large number of uniquely configured remote devices, our detailed assessment and execution strategies ensure we can make your transition as seamless as possible.

If you would like to learn more about how Atech can help you do more with your IT infrastructure in a cost-effective manner, get in touch with a member of our team now.