Knowledge base

Still deploying Azure resources manually? Maybe you shouldn't. Learn what Infrastructure as Code (IaC) actually means, how it works, which tools to use (Bicep, Terraform, etc.), and what best practices help you avoid errors.

In this article, we explain what Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is, how it works, and why it’s so popular among teams running cloud native apps at scale.

When modernising apps in Azure, you can go for a serverless or container architecture. But do you really need to choose one over the other? Find out here!

With applications running across Azure, hybrid, multi-clouds, etc, it becomes harder to trace issues and understand what’s really happening. Observability helps you make sense of that complexity. Read further to find out how and which Azure tools can help!

Many still compare Kubernetes and Docker like it’s one or the other. But… is that really the choice you need to make? Read it here!

Azure Automation can save time and reduce manual effort—if you use it right. Learn what Azure Automation is, when to use it, and what common mistakes to avoid. Read now!

By reading this whitepaper, you will learn how to implement Infrastructure as Code effectively in your Azure environment. This knowledge will help you standardise and automate deployments, reduce manual errors, improve governance, and accelerate your DevOps processes. Save time now and download your free copy!

In October 2022, Microsoft announced an alternative way to saving for compute resources: Azure Saving Plans. While they say you can save "up to 65%", but is that realistic? Read this article before you commit!

Azure Functions are powerful serverless option from Microsoft Azure. Here’s what you need to know before you build scalable, event-driven apps with functions. Read now!

Cosmos DB is fast, global, and flexible, but the pricing isn’t always clear. This article breaks down provisioned vs. autoscale and provides 7 easy and quick cost-saving tips. Read more!

Struggling to choose between Azure Reservations and Savings Plans? Learn about the differences and when to choose one or other (including real-world examples). Read it all here!

From health probes to session persistence — this article covers how Azure Load Balancer works, what it costs, and why it matters for high availability in the cloud. Read now!

Do you really know what your Logic Apps are costing you? The price build up isn’t always clear. This article breaks down Consumption vs Standard pricing, hidden cost drivers, and how to choose the right setup for your workload. Read here!

Are you also concerned about data sovereignty in the cloud? Lately, many are wondering who can access cloud data. Read this article to find out!

Azure VM Pricing can get expensive quickly. Want to know what drives the costs of your virtual machines? And which ones are the cheapest? This article shows you everything you should know + quick tips to save money!

How much will Azure SQL really cost you each month? Good luck finding a straight answer on Microsoft’s site. With multiple tiers, pricing models and a maze of options, it’s more confusing than it needs to be. This article breaks it down in simple terms (and includes expert saving tips). Read now!

A big part of cloud spend is being wasted every year. Is FinOps the solution for "cloud waste"?

Where do you store your secrets? From API keys to passwords and certificates — Azure Key Vault keeps it all safe in one place. Learn what it is, how it works, and how to set it up securely. Read now!

Azure has a lot of security tools, but Microsoft Defender for Cloud is one of their best: it gives you a single dashboard to catch threats, fix misconfigurations, and prove compliance. See how it works, and why it matters. Here’s everything you need to know!

What costs money in Azure? How much does it cost per month? And what if we told you that perhaps you can get it for free? This article breaks down Azure Pricing in 2025, from A to Z. Read now!

Want to save on Azure? Azure Reservations offer discounts for organisations running consistent and predictable workloads. But how much can you actually save with it? And which Azure Services are eligible? Read it here!

Hot, cool, cold, archive tiers, per-transaction fees, and a maze of replication and performance options — it’s easy to lose track of what you’re actually paying for with Azure Storage pricing. Fortunately, this article breaks it down clearly: what each storage type is for, how it’s priced, and where the hidden costs lie. Read more!

Unleash the Power of DevOps to Accelerate Your Software Development in a Competitive Market. Learn how (Azure) DevOps enables clear processes, streamlined collaboration, and shorter lead times. Discover what (Azure) DevOps is all about and how it can benefit your company. Click here for valuable insights!

Cloud adoption is rising, but so are cyber threats. See the biggest risks, threats and challenges of cloud security in 2025. From compromised credentials to DDoS attacks, we'll cover it all! Read it here!

Container architectures provide increased speed and portability, but they also introduce new security risks. Like what happens if we don't take care of our container images? Read more in this article!

Already on Azure but not saving as much as you’d hoped? You could be missing out on Azure Hybrid Benefit, which can save you up to 80%. But how does it exactly work? And how much can you really save? Read on to learn more!

What are the latest trends in cloud security: are you in the know? This article discusses 7 trends that will shape the cloud in 2025: From AI, GenAI to Zero Trust. Read more here!

They say you can run huge workloads for pennies, saving up to 90% using Azure Spot VMs. But is it true? How do these instances work, and what are the use cases? Learn it in this article, where we also show you how to deploy them.

Think you’re secure on Azure? You might be wrong. Imagine waking up to find your Azure account hacked - that's the last thing you want. To prevent this, try to test your current security measures against these 14 best practices. Read it all here!

Are you confident in your Azure security? In this article, we'll guide you through the essentials of Azure Security Assessments, including the steps to prepare, conduct, and analyse them. Learn how to identify vulnerabilities, improve your security posture, and leverage the best Azure tools (such as Azure Advisor). Read on!

Think your infrastructure is secure? In this article, we'll walk you through everything you must know, such as the top 10 security risks (like misconfigurations), and share 7 best practices such as setting up strong authentication to encrypting data at rest, we've got practical tips to help you out. Ready to dive in?

Are your Azure assets secure? Discover the top 10 Azure Security tools you need now as well as how to use them properly. This article discusses various elements you must protect, such as IAM, network security, data and threat protection, and so forth, all to keep your Azure environment safe. Read it now!

How do Azure and AWS stack up when it comes to securing your cloud data? With each platform offering unique security benefits, it's essential to understand their approaches to protecting your information. This article goes into the security features, shared responsibility and strategic benefits of each so you can make an informed decision. Read more to see who wins!

Looking for a flexible billing method to procure your Microsoft Cloud services? In this article, we'll explore the key features of the Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Program, its benefits for both partners and clients, and how it can help drive growth and innovation. Read more!

Managing cloud security has become more complex than ever, with evolving threats, multi-cloud setups, and stricter regulations. Are you feeling overwhelmed by cloud security? Perhaps it is time to outsource your cloud security to a dedicated partner. Read this article to find out why.

This article discusses cloud security from A to Z. Learn about the 6 pillars, such as network security and data protection. Delve into the best practices, from vulnerability scans, encryption, to monitoring, etc. Read more here!

Feeling stuck with outdated systems? Find out how migrating to the cloud could breathe new life into your operations, cut costs, and boost efficiency. This is a practical article that discusses the twists and turns of cloud migration, along with 7 steps for a successful cloud migration. Read before you make the leap!

The world never stands still, especially in the world of an ISV. So a key question for a software company is: how do I stay up-to-date? Microsoft Azure can help you do just that.

Feeling the pinch from high Azure costs? You're not alone. Many businesses find themselves paying more than necessary. We have 12 tips for a lower Azure bill, from shutting down idle resources, leveraging Azure discounts and tags with Azure Policy, and much more. Read more!

Cloud bills too high? Then learn 17 practical tips to identify inefficiencies, cut unnecessary costs, and reduce your cloud bill. From right-sizing resources to better billing practices, we cover it all. Read more!

Want to calculate the cost of migrating to the Azure cloud or scaling your workload? Learn to use the Azure Pricing Calculator to estimate expenses and optimise your budget. Read it all here!

Confused about whether to use Blob or File Storage for your workloads? Picking the wrong one could lead to inefficiencies and higher costs. Learn the differences between Azure Blob Storage and Azure Files here. Including use cases, and how to choose the right one for your needs. Read more!

Microsoft’s CSP and EA offer very different paths, and picking the wrong one is the last thing you want. We break down both models in simple terms, helping you decide which licensing strategy aligns with your organisation’s plans and challenges. Read more!

Find out what this means for your organisation and what actions you need to take!

Traditional monitoring worked well for monolithic and traditional distributed apps. But, they often fall short in today's complex and ever-growing environments. That's why DevOps observability is key (using metrics, logs, events, and traces) to give you a clear view of your systems in real-time. In this article, you learn more about its benefits, challenges and tools. Explore more!

DevSecOps is changing the way we think about security in development. Instead of adding it at the last moment, DevSecOps makes security part of every step. This guide explains what DevSecOps is, why it’s becoming essential, and how it can make your software more secure and efficient from day one. Read more here!

When automation alone isn’t enough, DevOps orchestration takes over. Learn how orchestrating tasks can streamline complex workflows, speed up release and improve your processes. Read here!

Legacy systems served well once, but they can slow you down today. Replatforming lets you modernise by moving to the cloud without overhauling everything. Learn how it works, its benefits, the challenges, and real examples and decide whether it’s the right move for your business.

As the cloud's demand for scalability and flexibility grows, traditional architectures are becoming obsolete. In this article, you will learn what a Cloud Native architecture is, its key components, and how it differs from traditional monolithic systems. Read here!

Traditional security methods fall short in a Cloud Native world. In this article, we discuss what cloud native security means, and we compare it to traditional security methods. Explore the best practices for protecting your modern applications in the cloud here!

By reading this whitepaper, you will learn how to effectively manage your Azure costs. This knowledge will prevent unnecessary expenses, provide greater peace of mind regarding your cloud spending, and maximize the benefits of your cloud investments.

This article explores Cloud Native, its key benefits, and when businesses should adopt it. We’ll break down the differences between Cloud Native and traditional applications, and we offer insights on how to successfully make the transition.

This article will cover the basics of horizontal and vertical scaling and explore Azure’s scaling services. We’ll see how these features can optimise your application's performance and reduce costs, helping you get the most out of Azure. 

Are you running, or planning to run your modern applications on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)? Explore the most popular and effective scaling technologies for AKS in this article!

In this article, we will explore how Azure provides a solid foundation for preventing infrastructure drift. We will examine what Azure offers and how Infrastructure as Code (IaC) practices can help prevent drift

In this article, we will explore examples to help you avoid key pitfalls in Azure infrastructure management and learn valuable lessons.

In this article, we will explore the core principles of Zero Trust and illustrate how implementing this model can improve your security posture.

Whether connecting with customers or partnering with other businesses, Microsoft Entra External Identities offers a straightforward approach to handling external identities. In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs.

In this article, we'll cover how to start with tools like Azure Migrate, the benefits and challenges of containerization, and the necessary adjustments for a successful transition.

Imagine having 15 different container images to maintain! That is a lot of clicking and typing! The solution? GitHub Workflows and Actions

In this article, we will take a further look at App Modernisation and we address some important elements related to it.

Many software developers agree that GitOps is a true game-changer. Find out more about whether or not your organization is ready to harness the benefits of GitOps!

AI tools can help with creativity, productivity, automation, data analytics, and more. At Intercept, we are, therefore, increasingly leveraging the power of AI in our solutions. In this article we'll share with you why and how.

This article will provide the know-how to prepare data effectively to create your GPT model. To do so, we will discuss different approaches to data transformation, their purposes, and different data processing techniques.

How do you ensure your data is organised, identifiable, and properly managed? This article will help you discover the answer.

Power BI shines as the ultimate choice for effortlessly transforming raw data into actionable information. Organizations can leverage data effectively through Power BI to uncover hidden patterns, mitigate risks, and identify opportunities.

It's important to choose the IAC tool that suits your team’s needs best. There is no silver bullet and it’s nice to have choices. In this article, we discuss the benefits and features of each tool based on our own experiences.

Who is responsible for the overall reliability on the public cloud? Is it Dev or is it Ops? Or both? Or none? Let's dive in!

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for achieving availability on the Cloud. However, there are some strategies we realise for our customers to significantly improve their availability on Azure. You can read our 5 key strategies below!

In this article, we dive into the advantages of cloud native over traditional infrastructures.

Securing your data science environment must be a top priority. In this article, we explain how to secure your data science environment. Better safe than sorry! 

Azure Kubernetes Services has many built-in security features. Additional ones are available that can be configured from the Azure Controle plane. But what configurations should you use?

Intercept proudly announces that we achieved the Microsoft Solutions Partner – Security status!

Finding the right information regarding Microsoft Azure security, privacy, compliance statements, and reports can be challenging. The Microsoft Trust Center and the Microsoft Service Trust Portal can help, but how?

Take control of your Azure security and protect your Azure environment.

This article will show you the 6 key approaches you should not overlook when enhancing the security of your Azure estate.

This article will dive into the 5 best practices to keep your container security up to speed!

In this article, we will discuss AI as form of modernization and how Azure cloud relates to that

In this article, we will discuss configuring your app. We provide useful tricks to perform this configuration as efficiently as possible. When developing an application, the question of "how to best handle configuration values" is an important topic. In this article, we will delve deeper into how this can be applied using Azure App Configuration and Azure Key Vault.

Discover green opportunities in Azure: save costs, promote sustainability, and strengthen your brand. Learn how Azure's tools make your software more eco-friendly while simultaneously meeting the demand for sustainable solutions.

Your cloud transformation success starts here!

Azure AD, one of the most used but still somewhat invisible products in the world, finally gets its own name.

Discover how Intercept proudly achieved the CSA STAR Level 1 certification and what it means for the security and trust of our cloud computing services.

Due to the hyperscale nature of Azure, it’s also attracting malicious actors such as organized criminal enterprises and state-sponsored hacking groups. Protecting your digital assets is therefore a critical part of your SaaS lifecycle.

MVP Gregor Suttie's experience at the MVP Summit 2023 event.

Microsoft uses different models, each with its advantages or disadvantages. We list them for you.

Hoe Github Copilot supports developer efficiency and happiness

Do you want to start a data science project on Azure?

Microsoft announces a price increase as of April 1, 2023. Read for more information!

In this article, we explain how to secure your data science environment. Better safe than sorry!

In this article, we explain how to secure your data science models in Azure.

The why and what of migrating your data science workloads to Azure.

Gregor Suttie tells about his experience of Ignite 2022 in the VS.

The tool allows Microsoft cloud customers to understand, track, report, analyze, and reduce carbon emissions associated with their cloud usage.

Microsoft uses different models, each with its advantages or disadvantages. We list them for you.

Each Azure service has its own SLA with associated terms and conditions; limitations and service credit (service credits). But what does this mean exactly?

Healthcare institutions seize opportunity through Azure to work on innovative solutions to improve the lives of millions of people

Are you a Java, Node, or .Net developer? Or do you build automation with Ansible or Puppet? Whatever programming language you use, Azure DevOps is the way to set up your own end-to-end DevOps chain. We have combined our knowledge and experience in six practical tips to get you started.

With this e-book you can optimize your security in Azure DevOps and GitHub.

Discover the benefits of using GitHub and make your software safe for the future.

A common question when someone is looking into transforming / containerizing their solution is “I’m now running on a Windows based system; do I use Windows containers, or do I go with Linux containers?”. And that is a very valid question.

GitHub and Azure DevOps are two powerful and popular Microsoft developer tools. Which one fits your organization best?

Kubernetes is “hot & happening”, almost every company already uses or wants to use Kubernetes. Creating an AKS-cluster seems easy enough, but what if you want to create an AKS-cluster for serious production workloads? In this article we will give you some pointers and best-practices which will help you create an AKS-cluster ready for production environments.

Figuring out which tool has the lowest execution costs is often a complicated task. In this article, we break down the costs. With this information, you can decide which option is best for your company.

This new model ensures a consistent policy with clear agreements and transparent procedures across Microsoft's cloud products and procurement channels.

In this article, we explore some tools that can help you have a safe journey with Azure DevOps.

Everything you need to know when you migrate to Azure

Not everyone uses Azure Active Directory, so what other options do your customer have? We dive into the different options and present you with solutions for several scenarios.

How do you choose the data partner that suits you best? Azure Data Factory has great benefits when you start out, but Apache Spark allows you to explore deeper layers. So is Azure Databricks your data partner that brings the "Spark" back into your data project? One thing is for sure, in Azure you don't necessarily have to choose a monogamous data solution.

These seven points will make software security the starting point of your process.| ‘Shifting Left’ is the practice of moving a phase of the software development process “to the left” when you consider the traditional software development life cycle.

Are you considering using public cloud services but would you instead not stop with your private cloud? Then a hybrid cloud could be the answer. Two key reasons why a hybrid cloud is getting attention are its optimal scalability and flexibility.

Today, companies save all kinds of data, even when they don’t yet have a use case for it. But where should all these different types of datasets be stored? This is where the Data Lake comes in!

Everyone is talking about it, many are doing it but what is this thing called “App Modernization”.

What your data journey looks like depends on your use case. Nevertheless, within any data project, there are five generic steps that any company will take to get insights from their data. Have a look!

This article will teach you the principles of sound Cloud Cost Management in 2022.

With PaaS you can focus on building, testing, deploying and optimizing apps and services that add value for your customers. When do you take the step?

Discovering the perfect SQL database for your Azure application transformation is a common question we encounter at Intercept. In this article, we provide valuable insights into the available options, key considerations, and our expert recommendations for each unique situation.

We are excited to announce that Intercept obtained the Microsoft Advanced Specialization – Modernization of Web Applications certification.

Microsoft has released a new fully managed load testing service that enables you to generate high-scale load. Let's dive in! 

It is more important than ever to be well protected, including in Azure. The Azure Defender utility can help with this.

Intercept has acquired seven key Microsoft Gold competencies. In addition to Gold Cloud Platform, Cloud Productivity, Datacenter, Application Development and DevOps. Intercept acquired two more competencies, Gold status for Security, Application Integration and Cloud Solutions are added to the list of achievements.

Microsoft has expanded its partner program to fully embrace software companies.

Intercept has signed Microsoft Partner Pledge as one of the first Dutch partners.

Get insight into your consumption now with the Microsoft Sustainability Calculator and see how your company can contribute to a sustainable future. 

What if you want to use your company credentials to log in to this application? How do you connect a SaaS application to your infrastructure? If you have a hybrid infrastructure there are lots of possibilities.

Help your healthcare clients make a safe transition to the cloud and achieve or maintain your NEN 7510 certification a lot faster with the tips from this blog.

At Intercept, we enable ISVs to build their applications using the power of Microsoft Azure. Bu what actually is Azure Firewall, and why would you use it?

This article is written to give you a high level insight into the possibilities of monitoring (Azure) resources, but AKS cluster in particular.

All the basics of Azure in one e-book!

Never waste a good crisis”, these famous words by Churchill could not be more relevant today as shown by the increasing number of ransomware attacks which have a significant impact on affected organizations and on our society.

For some time now [Azure] Kubernetes is thé platform to orchestrate containers. Why is this and what are the benefits of using Kubernetes and managed Kubernetes (AKS)?

One of the motivations for using containers and Kubernetes I come across are “We want to be multi-cloud”. But how easy is it to achieve a hybrid or multi-cloud scenario?

Everyone is working hard on the new platform and then someone asks.. “What about security?”

Everything you need to know about Azure Kubernetes Services (AKS).

In this article, I am going to talk about a very important topic: updates. When I say updates, I mean not only Kubernetes updates but also the worker node OS updates. Many people forget about patching the work OS believing that it is taken care of by Microsoft. This is not the case.

Many people talk about Microservices and Service Mesch, but what is this? In this article we'll look at what Microservices are, what a Service Mesh is and what you can do with it, and finally whether you really need it now.

You have a deadline and promised your customers to launch your new platform on a specific date, everyone is working hard and you’re barely meeting your target date. And then someone asks.. “What about security?”

It is the third time that we can proudly claim the Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) status.

‘Say what you do, do what you say and demonstrate how you do it.’ That is a short description of the ISO 9001:2015 standard for quality management systems, which we proudly received in September 2020.

What is an Azure landing zone? Optimise your Azure cloud migration & learn points of interest within landing zones, governance, infrastructure and service choices.

This article is a step-by-step guide to a successful migration from TFS (or Azure DevOps server) to Azure DevOps Services.

We are excited to announce that Intercept on August 21st has been entitled as Microsoft Azure Specialist for ISVs (Independent software Vendors, also known as software driven organizations) in Europe.

Intercept proudly announced it has won the 2020 Microsoft Country Partner of the Year award for The Netherlands.

The five transformation area's of software driven companies when moving to the Cloud.

Determine your direction and take off with Azure DevOps.

As an Azure Expert MSP, Intercept has the unique capability to transform customers from the traditional EA model to the new CSP model on the fly

Kubernetes is “hot & happening”, almost every company already uses or wants to use Kubernetes. Creating an AKS-cluster seems easy enough, but what if you want to create an AKS-cluster for serious production workloads? In this article we will give you some pointers and best-practices which will help you create an AKS-cluster ready for production environments.

Microsoft has drawn up the Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure, which provides guidelines to help you succeed in migrating to the Cloud.

Azure has a range of services for every kind of Cloud computing that complement your environment. There are numerous Azure Cloud Services to choose from. This article discusses the most important and relevant services for your organization.

Cloud technologies are relatively easy to implement. You can be up and running within minutes, but rushing at the start often leads to more work later on. That’s why it’s important for you to have a solid plan in place.

Data security is growing importance. As an organization, you’re obliged – including under strict regulations – to handle your data with care. You don’t want your data to end up in the wrong hands either.

Once you’ve decided to start working with Azure, the process of Cloud migration begins. Several complex decisions play a role in this process, so it makes sense to work according to a carefully draw up a migration strategy.

All software companies can currently start from scratch with Azure DevOps Services. All it requires is a free account to get started. Usually, however, an organization uses a predefined environment, such as TFS or on-premises DevOps Server. As change within an organization requires time, money, and energy, it is essential that you know in advance what a migration to Azure DevOps Services of this kind means and will provide.

Intercept has grown rapidly in the past years. Because of this growth, our current office on the Zwartewaterallee in Zwolle has become too small.

The Microsoft Azure Marketplace. What exactly is it and how can you leverage the power of the Azure Marketplace? Did you know that many companies are already using the marketplace without even being aware? In this article we will dive into the basics of the Azure Marketplace and how you can leverage the benefits.

As an Azure Expert MSP, Intercept had the pleasure and privilege of piloting these new capabilities and we’re happy to share our experiences.

Software as a service is a model for software licensing that is rapidly becoming the norm in business. But why do so many software companies transfer to SaaS? And what impact does this have on the business process of the ISV?

As the last in the series of articles, we’ll take a look at monitoring your performance and gathering insights.

Intercept is one of only a few companies that participate in the Microsoft Azure Expert Managed Service Provider (MSP) program. The program rewards only organizations designated as the most experienced with Microsoft Azure.

When you start developing your new solution then scaling probably isn’t the first thing you think about.

As a fourth in a series of articles, we’ll take a look at availability. Which availability requirements are important for your application on Azure?

As a second in a series of articles, we’ll take a look at architectures and why it is important to take a look at the overall picture. Do you want to define a roadmap and see where you are in 3 years? Probably not. But you do want to understand the implications your architecture has on added value, available features and pricing.

Before you start your Azure journey it’s important to take a step back and think of what you’re trying to achieve. The first step to successfully modernizing your solution is to determine your strategy, short term and long term.

We work daily with multiple Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to optimize their solution using Microsoft Azure. Since we encounter a number of PaaS services on a daily basis with our clients, we want to share our top 5 with you.

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have in common that they once started with a brilliant idea, saw a gap in the market, developed an application, and then got into business. However, the entire software industry has been completely shaken up and turned upside down since the invention of the cloud.

Renewing the ISO 27001 certificate confirms that Intercept meets the highest standards regarding information security.