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Episode Summary

In this episode of The sql_squared Podcast, we're joined by our special guest, Elliot Leighton-Woodruff, for a deep dive into Azure cloud migrations. As an expert Principal Architect specializing in Azure, Elliot shares his unique insights on moving beyond simple "lift and shift" projects to truly modernize applications and infrastructure for maximum return on investment.

This conversation is centered around our guest's extensive experiences and knowledge. Listeners will walk away with a deeper understanding of the "Five Rs" of cloud migration, practical tips for avoiding common cost pitfalls and managing services effectively, and a fresh perspective on the "build vs. buy" dilemma for software solutions. This is a can't-miss episode for anyone interested in cloud architecture, DevOps, and data platform strategy.

Guest Information

• Name: Elliot Leighton-Woodruff
• Bio: Elliot Leighton-Woodruff is a Principal Architect and Azure expert with 15 years of industry experience. His journey has taken him from infrastructure engineering and data center fit-outs to specializing in Office 365 and now focusing on Azure application modernization for the past several years. Elliot is a strong advocate for Infrastructure as Code, applying an 80/20 rule to automation to help customers maximize their cloud investment.
• Website: https://www.synextra.co.uk/
• Social Media:
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliottlw/

Resources Mentioned

• The Five Rs of Migration: A framework mentioned by Elliot for classifying application migration strategies (Rehost, Refactor, Rearchitect, Rebuild, Replace) to ensure you choose the right approach.
• Terraform: An Infrastructure as Code tool discussed for its ability to automate, standardize, and efficiently deploy cloud resources, reducing human error.
• Northern Azure User Group: The local Manchester-area tech community where the host and guest met, recommended for networking and learning.

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The sql_squared podcast is your guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of data. We go beyond the code to explore the tools, techniques, and trends that shape the data landscape, from SQL Server and cloud platforms to AI and developer productivity. Join us as we chat with experts from the community to help you learn, grow, and make the right decisions on your data journey.

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