How to upgrade Microsoft Azure free trial to a paid subscription

For some reason, it's hard to find instructions on how to convert an Azure free trial into a paid account. If you don't complete this step and your trial expires services like Network Gateways will get deleted.

Here's how to upgrade your free Microsoft Azure trial to a paid subscription.

1. Log into the admin account that originally set up the free trial.
2. Click the 'Account' tab along the top.
3. Under 'subscriptions' you should see Free Trial. Click the yellow bar where it says 'click here to upgrade now.'
4. Click the 'Yes' button, put in a subscription name and click 'upgrade now.'

That's it! Your Azure account will now automatically convert to a paid subscription without any further interference.

Why isn't your current IT consultant or reseller promoting the cloud?

Cloud Computing is a disruptive wave that provides cheaper, more convenient, and simpler business solutions that work.  So why isn't your current consultant or reseller recommending Cloud Computing solutions?

It's simple:

1. Cloud software vendors sell direct to the customer and give little or zero margin to the reseller.
2. Consultants compete globally in the cloud for engagements because cloud systems can be setup and managed from anywhere without complex remote access solutions.
3. On-premise consultants know your existing network infrastructure and server configurations making customer's loyal to them for future work.  In the cloud you only need a web browser so the customer is more likely to choose the cloud software expert over their existing consultant.
4. For every $1 customers spend on Microsoft enterprise licensing fees, they spend $8 with consultants and channel vendors customizing Microsoft's tools or integrating other products.  This ecosystem works well with an on-premise model that requires physical management and integration of systems.

Bottom line is that, until forced to change, existing consultants and resellers will continue to focus on what makes them the most money which is traditional on-premise systems.

The challenge for Cloud Computing focused vendors like us is to constantly find new customers because the  recurring consulting dollars for us are much smaller.  However, we're 100% committed to cloud solutions because fundamentally it is the best solution for the customer.

We love our work because we're blazing a new trail and every day making our customer's extraordinarily happy with moving their business to the cloud.