Microsoft introduces major Azure Cosmos DB changes

data recovery
(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has released significant updates for Azure Cosmo DB, the company’s multi-model NoSQL database service. 

Among the important developments is that Cosmo DB users will now get access to advanced data recovery options, enabling them to create point-in-time backup points or recover data from particular periods.

Another significant change is the addition of a server-less pricing plan. Users who subscribe to this Cosmo DB billing system will be charged based on the resources used by each database operation they perform. Microsoft hopes this system will suit the needs of organizations who experience irregular traffic loads, such as app developers.

More flexibility for Cosmos DB users

Overall, the changes introduced by Microsoft were designed to make Cosmos DB a more cost-effective proposition and offer customers great flexibility. For example, users can now use their own encryption keys within Azure Cosmos DB. Prior to this, databases could only be encrypted via Microsoft-generated keys. 

Since its launch in 2017, the Azure Cosmo DB platform has been recognized for its superb scalability thanks to guaranteed speeds and elastic APIs for Gremlin, Cassandra, and MongoDB. The most recent round of updates takes this to another level with autoscale throughput provisioning. Microsoft has named this “autopilot mode”, and it can be used to sustain SLAs while scaling up to a predefined maximum throughput load.

The Azure DB updates were announced at Microsoft Build 2020, which ran from May 19 to 21 in Seattle. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, all face-to-face parts of the conference were canceled and it became an online-only event.

Latest in Pro
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
A graphic showing someone on a tablet working through a supply chain.
Security issue in open source software leaves businesses concerned for systems
European Union technical background
EU tech companies push for digital sovereignty, reducing reliance on US and others
ransomware avast
One of the most powerful ransomware hacks around has been cracked using some serious GPU power
person at a computer
Infamous ransomware hackers reveal new tool to brute-force VPNs
Adobe Summit 2025
Adobe Summit 2025 - all the news and updates as it happens
Latest in News
Metroid Prime 4
I reckon the Nintendo Switch 2 could launch with Metroid Prime 4 – here’s why
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
New rumors predict a foldable iPhone will launch next year – and cost almost twice as much as the iPhone 16 Pro Max
Pebble smartwatch countdown
Pebble confirms its smartwatch announcement is just hours away
Logo of YouTube Shorts
Is YouTube auto-playing Shorts when you open the app? Well, you’re not alone - here’s how to fix it
Google DeepMind panel discussion
“More sovereignty and protection” - Google goes all-in on UK AI with data residency, upskilling projects, and startup investments
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo Switch 2 expected to have AI upscaling and I can't wait to finally play Tears of the Kingdom with upgraded graphics