AZ-104 Certification: Becoming a Microsoft Azure Administrator

Introduction

In today’s rapidly evolving IT landscape, the cloud is no longer a future concept—it’s the foundation of modern business. Microsoft Azure is one of the most widely adopted cloud platforms globally, powering digital transformation across industries.

As organizations continue their shift to the cloud, the role of IT professionals is evolving too—from simply supporting systems to actively driving innovation, security, and scalability. If you’re looking to future-proof your career and take on a role that blends technical expertise with strategic impact, the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator certification is your launchpad.

Whether transitioning from traditional infrastructure roles or stepping into cloud administration for the first time, AZ-104 equips you with the real-world skills needed to manage Azure environments confidently and effectively.

What Is the AZ-104 Certification?

The AZ-104 certification validates your ability to manage and monitor Azure resources, implement identity and governance controls, and maintain services related to compute, storage, networking, and security. It’s designed for professionals in the Azure Administrator role who are responsible for the implementation, management, and monitoring of Azure environments.

Key Skills Measured:

• Managing Azure identities and governance
• Implementing and managing storage
• Deploying and managing Azure compute resources
• Configuring and managing virtual networking
• Monitoring and maintaining Azure resources

Who Should Take AZ-104?

This certification is ideal for:

• System Administrators transitioning to cloud environments
• Help Desk/Support Engineers looking to level up
• Early-career IT professionals wanting to specialise in Azure
• Anyone aiming to build a solid cloud foundation

No prior Azure certification is required.

Core Azure Tools Covered in AZ-104

The AZ-104 covers a wide range of Azure services and tools, including:

• Azure Active Directory
• Azure Virtual Machines
• Storage Accounts
• Virtual Networks
• Monitoring tools like Azure Monitor and Log Analytics

Your AZ-104 Study Plan

Here are some practical preparation tips:

• Start with Microsoft Learn: A free, self-paced learning path tailored to AZ-104.
• Practice Labs: Use a free Azure trial to get hands-on experience.
• Study Guides & Videos: Explore instructor-led sessions from CloudThat and other trusted platforms.
• Mock Tests: Identify weak areas and build exam confidence with practice exams.

Exam Details

• Exam Code: AZ-104
• Duration: ~120 minutes
• Format: Multiple-choice, case studies, drag-and-drop
• Passing Score: 700/1000
• Cost: Varies by region (typically around $165)
• Schedule: Available through Microsoft or Pearson VUE

Visit the Official Exam Page

Real-World Benefits

With AZ-104, you’ll be equipped to:

• Launch and manage scalable cloud infrastructure
• Control identity and access securely with Microsoft Entra ID
• Optimize costs and track usage
• Automate routine tasks to improve efficiency
• Ensure high availability and disaster recovery readiness

Job Opportunities Post-Certification

Earning AZ-104 opens doors to several roles:

• Azure Administrator
  Responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Azure solutions.
• Systems Administrator (Cloud-Focused)
  Pivot from on-premises infrastructure to managing hybrid or cloud-native systems.
• Cloud Support Engineer / Cloud Operations Engineer
  Manage and troubleshoot Azure services in enterprise environments.
• IT Infrastructure Engineer
  Add cloud capabilities to your existing on-premise experience.

Career Progression and Salary Impact

Cloud-certified professionals often see enhanced career progression, more interview opportunities, and a stronger presence in competitive job markets. AZ-104 lays a solid foundation for:

• Increased responsibility in current roles
• Eligibility for cloud-specialist positions
• Access to advanced Azure certifications and career paths

Future Certification and Role Pathways

AZ-104 is just the beginning. Depending on your goals, you can move toward:

• AZ-305 → Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• AZ-400 → DevOps Engineer Expert
• SC-300 / SC-200 → Security and Identity-focused certifications

These pathways help you grow from infrastructure management into architecture, automation, or security roles.

Why CloudThat Is the Smart Choice for Your AZ-104 Journey

When preparing for the AZ-104 certification, your choice of training partner can make a big difference. CloudThat stands out for its quality, flexibility, and commitment to learner success.

• Microsoft Authorised Training Partner- CloudThat is a Microsoft Solutions Partner for Training Services, delivering content and training aligned with Microsoft’s official curriculum.
• Expert Trainers with Real-World Experience- Learn from professionals who bring real-world Azure project experience into the classroom. CloudThat instructors are industry practitioners who bring real-life Azure implementation experience into the classroom, bridging the gap between learning and doing.
• Hands-On Labs and Practical Scenarios- CloudThat emphasizes practical learning with interactive labs, case studies, and role-based exercises that mirror what you’ll do on the job. This makes you exam-ready and job-ready.
• Flexible Learning Options- Choose from live virtual classes, in-person sessions, or self-paced learning, depending on your schedule and preference.
• Proven Track Record –Thousands of learners have successfully cleared AZ-104 with CloudThat‘s structured training, mock tests, and personalized support.

Final Thoughts

The AZ-104 is more than a certification—it’s a strategic step toward becoming a proficient Azure Administrator. Whether you’re managing a hybrid IT environment or stepping into full cloud adoption, AZ-104 equips you with the skills and confidence to make an impact.

If you’re serious about a cloud career, there’s no better time to start. Begin your journey with AZ-104 and step into the future of IT with Microsoft Azure.

About CloudThat

CloudThat is a leading provider of Cloud Training and Consulting services with a global presence in India, the USA, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Specializing in AWS, Microsoft Azure, GCP, VMware, Databricks, and more, the company serves mid-market and enterprise clients, offering comprehensive expertise in Cloud Migration, Data Platforms, DevOps, IoT, AI/ML, and more.

CloudThat is the first Indian Company to win the prestigious Microsoft Partner 2024 Award and is recognized as a top-tier partner with AWS and Microsoft, including the prestigious ‘Think Big’ partner award from AWS and the Microsoft Superstars FY 2023 award in Asia & India. Having trained 650k+ professionals in 500+ cloud certifications and completed 300+ consulting projects globally, CloudThat is an official AWS Advanced Consulting Partner, Microsoft Gold Partner, AWS Training Partner, AWS Migration Partner, AWS Data and Analytics Partner, AWS DevOps Competency Partner, AWS GenAI Competency Partner, Amazon QuickSight Service Delivery Partner, Amazon EKS Service Delivery Partner,  AWS Microsoft Workload Partners, Amazon EC2 Service Delivery Partner, Amazon ECS Service Delivery Partner, AWS Glue Service Delivery Partner, Amazon Redshift Service Delivery Partner, AWS Control Tower Service Delivery Partner, AWS WAF Service Delivery Partner, Amazon CloudFront, Amazon OpenSearch, AWS DMS, AWS Systems Manager, Amazon RDS, and many more.