This thread made me curious, so I just deployed and tested an Azure DS2_V2 Windows Server (2CPU, 7GB RAM, 128GB SSD) and had a bit of a play with things then compared to our vGRID platform here in New Zealand. The experience was similar, and good, both Azure and vGRID deployed the Windows VM in around 4 minutes, it was however much more complicated on Azure.
Azure DS2_V2 Windows Server 2CPU 7GB RAM 128GB SSD NZD Monthly: $346.59
vGRID Windows Server 2012 R2 2CPU 7GB RAM 128GB SSD NZD Monthly: $343.00
Then when we start to really look under the covers, it gets interesting...
Azure SLA: 99.95 Only if you run two or more VM's in your availability set. vGRID SLA: 99.95 Default - all platforms and services are designed for in-line maintenance, no disruptions.
There were also some weird limitations on disk performance, even though the template suggests up to 6400 IOPS for the VM, the 128GB SSD assigned to the VM shows up as having a 500 IOPS limit. 100% of the vGRID platforms are on HP 3PAR based storage with Enterprise SSD. Governance occurs per class/tier of disk rather than per VM, performance is one of two primary objectives of vGRID so it's taken very seriously.
Disclaimer: I own the LayerX Group, which owns theCloud Limited (www.thecloud.net.nz) which runs on vGRID.
THis is a useful discussion/thread, I see no reason why VM's should cost considerably more in NZ than anywhere else - if the provider has scale and automation.
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