Azure: Staying Ahead of Azure Service Retirements

Key insights

• Azure Service Retirements: Several Azure services are scheduled for retirement in 2025, including Azure AD Graph API (February 1), Azure Data Studio (support ends February 28, 2026), and specific models of Azure OpenAI Service (retirement on February 28).


• Notable Retirements: Other services retiring in 2025 include Visual Studio App Center (March 31), SAP HANA Large Instances (June 30), and several others like Azure Database for MariaDB and Windows 10 versions by September and October.


• Service Retirement Workbook: The Azure Advisor’s Service Retirement Workbook offers a centralized view to manage retirements, assess impacts, and provide migration guidance with recommended alternative services.


• Accessing the Workbook: To use the workbook, navigate to the Azure Advisor Workbooks Gallery and select “Service Retirement (Preview)” under Azure Advisor.


• Recommendations for Users: Regularly monitor the Service Retirement Workbook, plan migrations proactively before retirement dates, and stay updated with Microsoft announcements.

Introduction to Azure Service Retirements

In the ever-evolving landscape of cloud services, staying informed about service retirements is crucial for seamless operations. As of February 2025, several Azure services are scheduled for retirement. This necessitates proactive planning to ensure uninterrupted operations. In this article, we will explore the key retirements, tools available to assist in this transition, and strategies to manage these changes effectively.

Upcoming Azure Service Retirements

Azure is set to retire several services throughout 2025, impacting a wide range of applications and users. Below are some of the most significant retirements:

• Azure AD Graph API: Applications will no longer be able to make requests to Azure AD Graph APIs starting February 1, 2025. Microsoft recommends migrating to Microsoft Graph, which offers a unified endpoint to access Microsoft Entra services and Microsoft 365 services.
• Azure Data Studio: Announced for retirement on February 6, 2025, with support ending on February 28, 2026. The focus will shift towards delivering a modern SQL development experience through Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension.
• Azure OpenAI Service Model Updates: Certain models, such as gpt-4 versions 1106-preview, 0125-preview, and vision-preview, will be upgraded to newer versions starting no sooner than February 10, 2025. The retirement date is set for February 28, 2025. Users should plan to transition to the suggested replacements.
• Other Notable Retirements in 2025: These include Visual Studio App Center, SAP HANA Large Instances, Azure Database for MariaDB, and many more, with various retirement dates throughout the year.

For a detailed list of products retiring or reaching end of support in 2025, it is advisable to refer to Microsoft’s official documentation.

Managing Service Retirements with Azure Advisor’s Service Retirement Workbook

To effectively manage and plan for these service retirements, Azure provides the Service Retirement Workbook within Azure Advisor. This tool is designed to help users navigate the complexities of service transitions.

• Centralized View: The workbook offers a single, centralized resource-level view of service retirements, helping you assess impact and plan migrations.
• Impact Assessment: It identifies which resources are affected by upcoming retirements and provides recommended actions.
• Migration Guidance: The workbook includes migration instructions with recommended alternative services.

To access the Service Retirement Workbook, navigate to the Azure Advisor Workbooks Gallery and select “Service Retirement (Preview)” under Azure Advisor.

Recommendations for Navigating Service Retirements

Successfully navigating service retirements requires a strategic approach. Here are some recommendations to ensure a smooth transition:

• Regular Monitoring: Regularly check the Service Retirement Workbook to stay informed about upcoming retirements affecting your resources.
• Proactive Migration: Plan and execute migrations well before the retirement dates to ensure continuity of services.
• Stay Informed: Keep abreast of announcements from Microsoft regarding service retirements and updates.

By leveraging the tools and information provided, you can navigate the upcoming Azure service retirements effectively, ensuring minimal disruption to your operations.

Challenges and Tradeoffs in Managing Service Retirements

While the tools provided by Azure, such as the Service Retirement Workbook, offer significant assistance, managing service retirements is not without its challenges. Balancing different factors can be complex, and understanding these tradeoffs is essential. One major challenge is the time and resources required to migrate services. Organizations must allocate sufficient time for testing and implementation, which can strain resources. Additionally, there may be compatibility issues with new services, requiring further adjustments. Moreover, staying informed about all upcoming changes can be overwhelming, especially for larger organizations with numerous Azure services. It requires dedicated personnel to monitor updates and plan accordingly. Despite these challenges, the benefits of proactive management outweigh the drawbacks. By planning ahead, organizations can avoid disruptions and take advantage of improved services and features offered by new Azure updates.

Conclusion

In conclusion, staying ahead of Azure service retirements is crucial for maintaining seamless operations. By understanding the upcoming retirements, utilizing tools like the Service Retirement Workbook, and following strategic recommendations, organizations can navigate these changes effectively. While challenges exist, proactive management and planning can mitigate potential disruptions, ensuring a smooth transition to new services and technologies.

Keywords

Azure Service Retirements Azure Updates Cloud Strategy Microsoft Azure Planning IT Infrastructure Changes Technology Transition Cloud Migration Best Practices Future-Proofing IT Systems