
FastTrack for Azure is a comprehensive onboarding and adoption program designed to simplify your cloud journey. It's a one-stop-shop for all your Azure needs, providing a streamlined experience from initial setup to ongoing management.
With FastTrack, you get access to a dedicated Technical Account Manager who will guide you through the process, ensuring you make the most of Azure's capabilities. This personalized support is a game-changer for businesses looking to migrate their workloads to the cloud.
FastTrack for Azure also offers a robust set of tools and resources to help you plan, deploy, and manage your Azure environment. These include assessment and planning tools, deployment templates, and best practices for security and compliance.
What Is It?
FastTrack for Azure is a program that helps organizations migrate their workloads to Microsoft Azure quickly and efficiently.
It provides a structured approach to migration, with a set of best practices and tools to ensure a smooth transition.
FastTrack for Azure is free, which makes it an attractive option for businesses looking to move to the cloud without incurring additional costs.
The program includes access to a global network of experienced engineers and migration experts who can provide guidance and support throughout the process.
By using FastTrack for Azure, organizations can reduce their migration time by up to 80% compared to doing it on their own.
FastTrack for Azure supports a wide range of workloads, including virtual machines, databases, and applications.
Benefits and Solutions
FastTrack for Azure offers a wide range of solutions to support your cloud journey, including data center migration, Windows Server on Azure, SAP on Azure, and more.
You can choose from over 15 supported solutions, such as cloud-native apps, DevOps, and app modernization.
FastTrack for Azure can help with migration and deployment planning, architectural guidance, and discovery and guidance. For example, they can provide best practices for migration strategies, address networking requirements, and guide customers through various migration stages.
The team can also offer architectural guidance, helping customers design and plan their integration services in Azure.
Some of the services FastTrack for Azure offers include:
- Data center migration
- Windows Server on Azure
- SAP on Azure
- Business continuity and disaster recovery
- High-performance computing
- Cloud-native apps
- DevOps
- App modernization
- Linux on Azure
- Cloud-scale analytics
- Intelligent apps
- Intelligent agents
- Windows Virtual Desktop
- Data modernization to Azure
- Security and management
- Globally distributed data
- Azure Marketplace
- Fundamentals and governance
FastTrack for Azure can help you build confidence and reduce risk with best practice design guides, reference architectures, and blueprints. They can also collaborate with Azure engineers and partners to deploy your Azure solutions to production quickly and efficiently.
Getting Started
To get started with FastTrack for Azure, you can check your eligibility here.
You can also ask your partner to nominate you for the program if you're working with one.
To be eligible, you'll need to meet the qualifying criteria, which will be assessed by Microsoft.
After that, you'll be asked to attend an onboarding call where you'll be assigned a Programme Manager.
A brief scoping exercise will follow, and then you'll receive a "Welcome to the FastTrack for Azure program" acceptance email.
A Lead Engineer will be assigned to you after that.
Better Together
Microsoft's FastTrack for Azure team combines their resources with customized materials built by expert consultants, specifically for your unique scenarios and based on years of real-world experience. This synergy is key to providing the best recommendations for your business and technical needs.
You'll have an open channel to key Microsoft product managers, allowing for immediate communication about feature requests, deployment acceleration, and user adoption expansion. This direct line of communication ensures that your needs are met quickly and efficiently.
FastTrack Ready is an invitation-only program, so you know that your deployment partner has an extensive history of success, both as an FRP and beyond. This level of expertise is crucial in ensuring a smooth and successful deployment.
Here are some of the benefits you can expect from the FastTrack for Azure team:
- Combine Microsoft resources with customized materials built by expert consultants
- Open channel to key Microsoft product managers
- Confidence in your deployment partner
These benefits will help you achieve your goals and make the most of your Azure deployment. With the right expertise and support, you'll be able to overcome any challenges and succeed in the cloud.
Qualification and Eligibility
To qualify for FastTrack for Azure, you'll need to meet certain criteria. The program is free, but you'll need to be in a region where it's available.
You'll also need to have an identified project that's supported by FastTrack for Azure, with a defined workload and the intent to deploy. This project should be expected to reach at least $5,000 of service usage per month within 12 months of deployment.
You'll need an active paid Azure subscription to qualify for the program.
To check your eligibility, you can visit the provided link.
Overview and Resources
Microsoft's FastTrack for Azure is a programme designed to empower organisations with the knowledge and expertise needed to successfully adopt and leverage Azure services.
The programme is part of the Customer Experience (CXP) team, an integral part of the Azure Engineering organisation.
FastTrack for Azure comprises Azure engineers who serve as dedicated resources for customers, offering guidance in areas such as governance, architectural design, and migration strategies.
To get started with the program, you can check your eligibility here, and if you are working with a partner, you can ask him to nominate you here.
You'll be asked to attend an onboarding call where you'll be assigned a Programme Manager, and after a brief scoping exercise, you'll get a “Welcome to the FastTrack for Azure program” acceptance email and a Lead Engineer will be assigned.
The programme helps customers deploy Microsoft cloud solutions and drive user adoption, helping NL Digital Native companies enable AI technologies, platform services, and access to the Azure Marketplace to scale their business.
How Can I Assist?
I'd be happy to help you determine how FastTrack for Azure can assist you. Let's start with the basics - FastTrack for Azure offers support for a wide range of solutions, including data center migration, Windows Server on Azure, and SAP on Azure.
If you're planning a data center migration, FastTrack can help with best practice around the migration strategy, including networking requirements and recommended migration strategies. They can also assist with architectural guidance, discovery and guidance, and more.
On a similar theme: Azure Data Studio vs Azure Data Explorer
FastTrack can help with various real-world scenarios, such as migration and deployment planning, architectural guidance, and discovery and guidance. For example, they can advise on areas such as networking requirements and recommended migration strategies.
Some specific areas where FastTrack can assist include:
- Data Centre Migration
- Security and Management
- Application Innovation
- Windows Virtual Desktop
- DevOps
- Governance and Azure Fundamentals
- Data Modernisation in Azure
These areas are just a few examples of how FastTrack can help you achieve your goals with Azure. By working with FastTrack, you can gain valuable insights and expertise to ensure a successful migration or deployment.
Microsoft's Three Phases
Microsoft's Three Phases of FastTrack for Azure are designed to help businesses get the most value out of their IT investments.
The Envision phase is the starting point of the process, where you work alongside the FastTrack team to plan for a successful deployment. They create a tailored success plan that includes both technical and user adoption strategies.
In the Onboard phase, Partners assess your technical environment and confirm any remediation activities needed before the move. They ensure a smooth onboarding and migration experience occurs once these activities are completed.
The Drive Value phase focuses on helping businesses get the most out of their IT investments. Partners provide guidance and resources to help drive user adoption, and also offer information on transforming existing IT practices and effectively managing change.
Here are the three phases of Microsoft FastTrack in a concise list:
- Envision: Planning and preparation for a successful deployment
- Onboard: Assessing the technical environment and ensuring a smooth migration
- Drive Value: Helping businesses get the most value out of their IT investments
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I speed up my Azure?
To speed up your Azure, follow our 8-step troubleshooting process to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, from identifying symptoms to updating architecture. Start by identifying symptoms and determining the scope of the issue to begin optimizing your Azure setup.
What is the fastest connection to Azure?
The fastest connection to Azure is ExpressRoute, offering speeds of up to 100 Gbps. This high-speed option is ideal for demanding scenarios requiring low latency and high availability.
Sources
- https://www.thomasmaurer.ch/2020/12/start-your-cloud-project-with-microsoft-fasttrack-for-azure/
- https://synergyadvisors.biz/microsoft-fasttrack-ready-partner-2/
- https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-microsoft-fasttrack-azure-garth-niblock-
- https://www.spanishpoint.ie/news/fast-track-azure/
- https://www.nasstar.com/hub/blog/microsoft-fasttrack
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