This guide provides a simplified overview of key Azure frameworks and hybrid cloud technologies. Use it as a reference when planning or improving your cloud environment.
1. Azure Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF)
CAF provides structured guidance to help organizations move to the cloud effectively and securely.
CAF Helps You:
- Define business and technical outcomes
- Set up governance and security from day one
- Build landing zones for structured deployment
- Optimize cost and operations throughout your cloud journey
When to use CAF:
When planning a cloud or hybrid migration, improving governance, or aligning cloud efforts to business goals.
2. Azure Well‑Architected Framework (WAF)
WAF helps you design and run workloads that are secure, reliable, and efficient.
WAF Covers Five Pillars:
- Security – Access controls, encryption, Zero Trust
- Reliability – High availability and disaster recovery
- Cost Optimization – Right‑sizing and resource efficiency
- Performance Efficiency – Auto‑scaling, caching
- Operational Excellence – Monitoring and automation
When to use WAF:
When reviewing workload health or optimizing performance, security, and costs.
3. Azure Local
Azure Local brings Azure’s cloud capabilities to on‑premises and edge environments.
What Azure Local Enables:
- Run workloads in connected or disconnected scenarios
- Operate VMs, containers, and AI at the edge
- Centralize governance using Azure Arc
- Support low‑latency and regulatory‑sensitive workloads
Typical use cases:
Retail, manufacturing, healthcare, distributed sites, branch offices.
4. Azure Arc
Azure Arc extends Azure management and governance to any infrastructure on‑prem, multi‑cloud, or edge.
Azure Arc Helps You:
- Centrally manage servers, Kubernetes, and SQL
- Apply consistent policies across environments
- Automate updates and monitor infrastructure health
- Use GitOps for configuration management
- Enable Azure security and compliance anywhere
Common scenarios:
Hybrid estates, multi‑cloud operations, Kubernetes management, SQL modernization.
How These Solutions Work Together
Azure Capability | Role in Your Environment |
CAF | Guides planning, governance & cloud adoption strategy |
WAF | Ensures workloads follow Azure architectural best practices |
Azure Local | Brings cloud capabilities close to where workloads run |
Azure Arc | Provides unified visibility, policy, and management |
Combined, they support a secure, governed, and consistent hybrid cloud environment.
Need Support?
If you would like guidance implementing Azure Local, Arc, CAF, or WAF or need help assessing your environment:
Please raise a ticket via the Customer Self‑Service Portal, and our cloud engineering team will assist you.