Things You Need to Know Before Azure Lab Services Retires

Microsoft has announced that Azure Lab Services will completely retire on June 28, 2027. From July 15, 2024, onwards, organizations will no longer be able to sign up for new ALB accounts. Existing lab accounts, lab plans, and labs will continue to operate until the specified final retirement date.  Microsoft has partnered with multiple solution providers, including CloudLabs, and urges existing customers to transition to alternative solutions as soon as possible to avoid service disruptions or operational hassles of any sort. 

What Does it Mean for Users?  

Microsoft recommends switching to a hands-on solution for those currently using Azure Lab Services to continue working on virtual machine labs. With the final retirement date being scheduled for June 28, 2027, all the existing lab environments and associated data will no longer be accessible post the time frame.   

For the ones planning to start new, they will no longer be able to sign up or create a new account with Azure Lab Services post 15th July 2024. They can choose from the Microsoft recommended partner solutions and continue with operations as required.   

Why Transition Early From Azure Lab Services? 

Transitioning to a new solution before the scheduled retirement date ensures smooth operations without abrupt service disruptions without any downtime. There is more:  

• Access to Enhanced Capabilities: Benefit from optimized controls and advanced capabilities, guaranteeing an improved user experience.  
• Avail Better Support: Get assisted by dedicated support teams, including professionals who are always up to date with the latest changes in technical trends.  
• Enjoy Cost Efficiency: Save more with early transition offers, advanced inbuilt cost control features per lab, and a transparent pricing model.  
• Sign up for CloudLabs Discount: Transition to CloudLabs VM Labs by 31th December 2024 and enjoy a 50% discount on the platform fee for the 1st 6 months post-transition. Learn more about VM Labs Pricing.  

Why Choose CloudLabs?  

As a premier hands-on lab platform, CloudLabs ensures seamless deployments and hassle-free integration with Microsoft Azure in the backend. The integration enhances the overall VM labs experience, enabling provisioning to be configured to specific Azure regions for low latency and data residency requirements. Other exclusivities include browser-based web access, inbuilt cost-optimization tools, and CPU/GPU-based virtual machines for Linux and Windows OS. We ensure:  

• Feature Parity: CloudLabs VM Labs features the same familiar interface and capabilities everyone loves about Azure Lab Services, with added power and flexibility.   
• Transparent Pricing: Pay according to a pay-as-you-go pricing model. We only charge for the active VM labs.  
• 24/7 Technical Support: Dedicated professionals offer seamless support with lab-related technicalities 24 x 7 for 365 days.   
• Seamless Migration Process: Step-by-step transition assistance to ensure a smooth switch from ALB to CloudLabs VM Labs services.   
• Flexible Customization: Share your unique requirements and get the VM labs customized accordingly.     
• Azure Benefit Eligibility: CloudLabs is a Azure Benefit Eligible product in the Azure Marketplace. The purchase will cover both the Azure subscription fee and the CloudLabs platform fee for your deployments.   

Complete Your Transition to CloudLabs VM Labs by the 31th of December 2024 to Enjoy Exclusive Perks 

• Discounted Platform Fee: Enjoy a user-specific 50% discount on the CloudLabs platform fee for the first 6 months post-transition. 
• Effortless Transition Assistance: Our dedicated team ensures a smooth migration process, minimizing disruption to your workflow. 
• Priority Support by Experienced Professionals: Benefit from priority support throughout the migration period, with our team on hand to assist you every step of the way. 
• Free Migration Assistance: Experience hassle-free migration with our expert guidance, completely free of charge. 

Choose Your Preferable Subscription 

CloudLabs enables clients to choose between flexible subscriptions billed as per pay-as-you-go rates. You get to make a choice between: 

• CloudLabs Managed Azure Subscription: CloudLabs integrates with Microsoft Azure in the backend for lab infrastructure. Thus, with a CloudLabs-managed Azure subscription, clients get to enjoy billing based on actual Azure consumption rates and fulfill purchase actions utilizing CloudLabs-owned Azure accounts for resource provisioning. 
• Bring Your Own Azure Subscription: CloudLabs lets you pay for cloud expenses directly to Microsoft with the BYOS arrangement. Also, in this case, the subscription is completely owned and managed by the clients themselves. As they have their own Azure account and a separate contract with Microsoft.  

Final Words 

Backed by Azure integration and quality support from CloudLabs, VM Labs comes off as a fully managed solution, enabling users to access preconfigured virtual machines customized according to their unique deployment needs. Suitable for multiple scenarios – classroom learning, professional training, hackathons, and hosting hands-on labs at any scale, the CloudLabs VM Labs turns out as an efficient alternative to Azure Lab Services’ assisting organizations of all sizes in creating, managing, and distributing VM labs for Windows and Linux based operating systems.  

To learn more about the VM labs experience, visit the website Microsoft Azure Lab Service | CloudLabs VM Labs or check out the introduction video. 

 

You can also write to the sales team at cloudlabs-sales@spektrasystems.com or book a demo. 

Manesh Raveendran

Manesh Raveendran is the CEO and Founder of Spektra Systems. He is known for his thought leadership and for crafting end-to-end technology solutions in cloud marketplaces. His passion lies in harnessing the potential of public cloud partnerships to drive business growth. With over two decades of experience, Manesh collaborates with global CXOs, designing innovative cloud solutions and services to drive customer success and address critical business challenges.