Skip to main content

Help us improve the Digital Marketplace - send your feedback

Nexus Open Systems Ltd

Microsoft Azure Compute Services

Microsoft Azure is an open and flexible cloud platform that enables organisations to quickly build, deploy, and manage applications across a global network of Microsoft-managed datacenters. Azure Compute from Nexus offers clients on demand computing power for development and production workloads, with basic, standard and optimised virtual machine options.

Features

  • Scalable infrastructure, highly available and load balanced
  • Pay-as-you-go services allowing you to scale to match demand
  • On-demand compute and storage to host, scale and manage apps
  • Self Service Provisioning via web-portal, command line or API
  • Wide range of compute machine configurations
  • Machine Image Gallery – preconfigured base operating systems
  • Infrastructure Management with health monitoring and alerts
  • Enterprise grade Service Level Agreements (SLA) on services
  • 24/7 technical support and round-the-clock service health monitoring
  • Runs on a worldwide network of Microsoft-managed datacenters

Benefits

  • Reduction in time to market for services and applications
  • Reduction in capital expenditure
  • Negate overheads for the management of infrastructure
  • Improve the uptime and availability for your services
  • Pay only for the services which you consume
  • Accelerate the deployment of your applications to the cloud
  • Help your dispersed teams collaborate on projects
  • Increase the agility of IT Service Delivery
  • Hybrid cloud solutions, more IT options, less complexity and cost
  • Allow IT staff to focus on more strategic business requirements

Pricing

£0 a virtual machine an hour

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at stuart.wilson@nexusos.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 13

Service ID

6 6 4 0 4 1 7 4 4 9 0 5 4 0 5

Contact

Nexus Open Systems Ltd Stuart Wilson
Telephone: 01392 205095
Email: stuart.wilson@nexusos.co.uk

Service scope

Service constraints
Not Applicable
System requirements
  • Microsoft Edge (latest version)
  • Internet Explorer 11
  • Safari (latest version, Mac only)
  • Chrome (latest version
  • Firefox (latest version)

User support

Email or online ticketing support
Yes, at extra cost
Support response times
Standard SLA is for 2 hours response for Critical issues; 4 hours response for Major issues and 8 hours response for Minor issues.
User can manage status and priority of support tickets
Yes
Online ticketing support accessibility
None or don’t know
Phone support
Yes
Phone support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support
Web chat
Web chat support availability
9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
Web chat support accessibility standard
None or don’t know
How the web chat support is accessible
Users can interact with our Technical, Sales and Training teams. Raising questions which are dealt with there and then. Alternatively we will take enquiries away and respond direct to users through email.
Web chat accessibility testing
None yet
Onsite support
Yes, at extra cost
Support levels
Basic - Service Desk Facility; Incident & Problem Management; Dedicated Account Management; Third Party Liaison; Escalation Procedure; Remote Support; Access to Customer Portal.
Standard - Service Desk Facility; Incident & Problem Management; Dedicated Account Management; Third Party Liaison; Escalation Procedure; Remote Support; Access to Customer Portal; Service Level Agreement; Remote Monitoring & Alerting.
Advanced - Service Desk Facility; Incident & Problem Management; Dedicated Account Management; Third Party Liaison; Escalation Procedure; Remote Support; Access to Customer Portal; Service Level Agreement; Remote Monitoring & Alerting; Annual IT Strategy; Monthly Remote Health Checks; Proactive Monitoring & Alerting; On-site Support.
Support cost: Pricing is dependant on customers infrastructure and environment
A dedicated Technical Account Manager is assigned to each customer and our Service Desk team includes Cloud Support Engineers.
Support available to third parties
Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

Getting started
We follow a defined process for on-boarding new clients to ensure that they have the assurance of our help, whilst at the same time remain in control of the cloud services which are often at the core of their business.

Through the on-boarding process Nexus will complete a detailed assessment of:

• Client’s strategic vision
• Organisational culture
• Current and future objectives
• Desire business outcomes
• Potential improvements to existing business processes
• Project and programme delivery resources
• Current governance and programmes.

We can provide onsite training to our clients as well as instruction at our own training centre. User documentation is provided by way of client portal guide.
Service documentation
No
End-of-contract data extraction
The Azure Import/Export service allows you to securely transfer large amounts of data to Azure blob storage by shipping hard disk drives to an Azure data center. You can also use this service to transfer data from Azure blob storage to hard disk drives and ship to your on-premises site.

When customers delete data or leave a Microsoft cloud service, Microsoft follows strict standards for overwriting storage resources before reuse, as well physical destruction of decommissioned hardware, including
contractual commitments to specific processes for the deletion of data and the destruction of storage hardware.
End-of-contract process
There are no additional costs at the end of the contract.

Using the service

Web browser interface
Yes
Using the web interface
The Microsoft Azure portal is a central place where you can provision and manage your Azure resources.
Ability to browse services, sign up to services and subscriptions
Ability to create and browse resources
Ability to consistently manage different types of resources
Ability to customise the portal and bring important information to the front and centre
Ability to control access to resources using role based access
Ability to get help and support
Web interface accessibility standard
WCAG 2.1 AAA
Web interface accessibility testing
Microsoft Azure is constantly updated with accessible features, making it easier for people with limited vision, hearing, speech, mobility, and learning abilities to use the suite of applications.
API
Yes
What users can and can't do using the API
The Azure developer portal is where developers can learn about APIs, view and call operations, and subscribe to products. Prospective customers can visit the developer portal, view APIs and operations, and sign up.
API automation tools
  • Ansible
  • Chef
  • OpenStack
  • SaltStack
  • Terraform
  • Puppet
API documentation
Yes
API documentation formats
HTML
Command line interface
Yes
Command line interface compatibility
  • Linux or Unix
  • Windows
  • MacOS
Using the command line interface
The Azure CLI 2.0 is Azure's new command line experience for managing Azure resources. It can be used on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Azure CLI 2.0 is optimized for managing and administering Azure resources from the command line, and for building automation scripts that work against the Azure Resource Manager

Scaling

Scaling available
Yes
Scaling type
Automatic
Independence of resources
Azure is a multi-tenant service, meaning that multiple customers’
deployments and virtual machines are stored on the same physical hardware. Azure, provides geographically dispersed regions around the world. These platforms also provide capabilities that support availability and a variety of disaster recovery scenarios. Azure has resiliency and disaster recovery built in to many of its services.
Usage notifications
Yes
Usage reporting
Email

Analytics

Infrastructure or application metrics
Yes
Metrics types
  • CPU
  • Disk
  • HTTP request and response status
  • Memory
  • Network
  • Number of active instances
Reporting types
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards

Resellers

Supplier type
Reseller providing extra features and support
Organisation whose services are being resold
Microsoft

Staff security

Staff security clearance
Conforms to BS7858:2019
Government security clearance
Up to Security Clearance (SC)

Asset protection

Knowledge of data storage and processing locations
Yes
Data storage and processing locations
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
  • Other locations
User control over data storage and processing locations
Yes
Datacentre security standards
Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
Penetration testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Penetration testing approach
‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
Protecting data at rest
Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v3.0
Data sanitisation process
No
Equipment disposal approach
A third-party destruction service

Backup and recovery

Backup and recovery
Yes
What’s backed up
  • Virtual Machines
  • Files and Folders
  • Databases
  • Block Bob Storage
  • SQL Server Databases
Backup controls
Azure Backup is the Azure-based service you can use to back up and restore your data in the Microsoft cloud. Azure Backup replaces your existing on-premises or off-site backup solution with a cloud-based solution that is reliable, secure, and cost-competitive. Azure Backup offers multiple components that you download and deploy on the appropriate computer, server, or in the cloud. The component, or agent, that you deploy depends on what you want to protect. All Azure Backup components can be used to back up data to a Backup vault in Azure.
Datacentre setup
Multiple datacentres with disaster recovery
Scheduling backups
Users schedule backups through a web interface
Backup recovery
Users can recover backups themselves, for example through a web interface

Data-in-transit protection

Data protection between buyer and supplier networks
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway
Data protection within supplier network
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway

Availability and resilience

Guaranteed availability
This service is underpinned by a Microsoft Service Level Agreement (SLA) which describes Microsoft’s commitments for up time and connectivity.
For this service, availability of at least 99.95% is guaranteed. The following monthly up time limits attract the indicated service credits. <99.95% (10%); <99% (25%); <95% (100%).
Approach to resilience
Available on request
Outage reporting
A public dashboard shows the status of the service.

Identity and authentication

User authentication
2-factor authentication
Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels
Nexus manage access to management interfaces and support channels through the use of Named Contacts. Those users who require access to management interfaces and support channels such as the client portal must apply for access through their organisation to the Nexus Service Desk. These user applications are then reviewed and approved or rejected with the individual recorded as a Named Contact for the particular service and appropriate credentials provided.
Access restriction testing frequency
At least every 6 months
Management access authentication
2-factor authentication
Devices users manage the service through
  • Dedicated device over multiple services or networks
  • Any device but through a bastion host (a bastion host is a server that provides access to a private network from an external network such as the internet)
  • Directly from any device which may also be used for normal business (for example web browsing or viewing external email)

Audit information for users

Access to user activity audit information
Users have access to real-time audit information
How long user audit data is stored for
User-defined
Access to supplier activity audit information
Users have access to real-time audit information
How long supplier audit data is stored for
User-defined
How long system logs are stored for
User-defined

Standards and certifications

ISO/IEC 27001 certification
Yes
Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
NQA
ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
29/04/2021
What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
Our ISO 27001 certification relates to the information security management system and not to the products or services of our organisation. The certificate reference number, the mark of the Certification Body and/or the accreditation mark may not be shown on products or stated in documents regarding products or services.
ISO 28000:2007 certification
No
CSA STAR certification
No
PCI certification
No
Cyber essentials
Yes
Cyber essentials plus
No
Other security certifications
No

Security governance

Named board-level person responsible for service security
Yes
Security governance certified
Yes
Security governance standards
  • CSA CCM version 3.0
  • ISO/IEC 27001
Information security policies and processes
Nexus hold and maintain an Information Security Policy and Management System. We have an Information Security Officer (ISO) who is responsible for the development, management and enforcement of the policy across our organisation in accordance with ISO/IEC 27001:2013.

Operational security

Configuration and change management standard
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Configuration and change management approach
Nexus have a configuration management process for tracking changes in the specification of our services and products, this is managed centrally. Nexus also implement a full change management process for assessing and if appropriate executing any changes to services and products.
Vulnerability management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Vulnerability management approach
One key operational best practice that Microsoft uses to harden its
cloud services is known as the “assume breach” strategy. A dedicated “red team” of software security experts simulates real-world attacks at the network, platform, and application layers, testing Azure’s ability to detect, protect against, and recover from breaches. By constantly challenging the security capabilities of the service, Microsoft
can stay ahead of emerging threats.
Protective monitoring type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v3.0 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Protective monitoring approach
Microsoft security researchers are constantly on the lookout for threats. They have access to an expansive set of telemetry gained from Microsoft’s global presence in the cloud and on-premises. This wide-reaching and diverse collection of datasets enables Microsoft to discover new attack patterns and trends across its on-premises consumer and enterprise products, as well as its online services. As a result, Security Center can rapidly update its detection algorithms as attackers release new and increasingly sophisticated exploits. In the event that customer data is compromised, Microsoft will notify its customers.
Incident management type
Conforms to a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v3.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
Incident management approach
All Incident tickets will be recorded in the Nexus Service Desk system under the Incident Management workflow. All new Incident tickets will undergo an initial impact assessment. Nexus will further look to determine the number of users/systems affected and establish the commercial impact to the customer’s environment. We have a knowledge base to be able to check for common events. Users can report incidents by phone, email or through their client portal. Incidents are included in any appropriate service monthly ticket summary reports.

Secure development

Approach to secure software development best practice
Supplier-defined process

Separation between users

Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart
No

Energy efficiency

Energy-efficient datacentres
Yes
Description of energy efficient datacentres
Microsoft data centres are utilised in the delivery of this service. Microsoft has already, or is planning to implement, the majority of the Code's best practices in its data centres in Europe and across the world.

Social Value

Fighting climate change

Fighting climate change

The environmental benefits of our G-Cloud Service provision for Cloud Hosting Services utilising Microsoft Azure are substantiated by Microsoft’s own studies and commitments towards climate change.

A 2018 study found that using the Microsoft Azure cloud platform can be up to 93% more energy efficient and up to 98% more carbon efficient than on-premises solutions.

Azure has committed to focus on four key areas of environmental impact to local communities; carbon, water, waste, and ecosystems by way of; using 100% renewable energy by 2025 by partnering with renewable energy projects, replenishing more water than they consume by 2030, achieving zero-waste certification by 2030 and achieving net-zero deforestation from new construction and re-forestation initiatives by greening communities with native woodlands.

Real sustainability requires solutions that address wastefulness at every level of a business. Hosting on the cloud is more environmentally friendly and results in less of a carbon footprint.

Cloud infrastructures support environmental proactivity, powering virtual services rather than physical products and hardware, and cutting down on paper waste, improving energy efficiency, and (given that it allows employees access from anywhere with an internet connection) reducing commuter-related emissions.

Reports predict that data centre energy consumption would drop by 31% from based on the adoption of cloud computing and other virtual data options.
Covid-19 recovery

Covid-19 recovery

As a member of the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium, Microsoft is helping researchers accelerate their understanding of the virus and the development of treatments and vaccines through two major initiatives; HPC Consortium and AI for Health.

The COVID-19 HPC Consortium encompasses computing capabilities from some of the most powerful and advanced computers in the world. Microsoft hope to empower researchers around the world to accelerate understanding of the COVID-19 virus and the development of treatments and vaccines to help address infections. Consortium members manage a range of computing capabilities that span from small clusters to some of the very largest supercomputers in the world.

AI for Health is a new $60 million, five-year philanthropic program from Microsoft, created to empower non-profits, researchers, and organizations tackling some of the toughest challenges in global health. Microsoft are providing access to AI and expertise in these areas; Accelerating medical research to advance the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of diseases, increasing our shared understanding of health and longevity to protect against global health crises, reducing health inequity and improving access to care for underserved populations and supporting fundamental research capabilities, including data collaboratives and differential privacy.
Wellbeing

Wellbeing

The primary benefits of Microsoft Azure services are the transfer of ownership of compliance and maintenance of cloud infrastructure and its security and that IT Managers and business owners no longer need to be concerned about those elements of their IT systems once in Azure.
This inherently has a significant positive impact on wellbeing of employees within organisations across the world.

Pricing

Price
£0 a virtual machine an hour
Discount for educational organisations
Yes
Free trial available
Yes
Description of free trial
Eligible customers receive USD200 in Azure credits to be used within the first 30 days of sign-up and 12 months of select free services. This offer is limited to one Azure free account per eligible customer and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise permitted by Microsoft.
Link to free trial
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/offers/ms-azr-0044p/

Service documents

Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at stuart.wilson@nexusos.co.uk. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.