Azure Resource Manager Template

Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Template

Introduction

The E-commerce Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Template for DevOps Engineers is a comprehensive visual Infrastructure as Code (IaC) framework designed in Miro to streamline Azure cloud deployments. This template provides DevOps teams with a complete reference guide covering all 8 ARM template components, 12 Azure resources, 14 configurable parameters, cost estimation tables, and deployment workflows. Perfect for planning, documenting, and collaborating on e-commerce infrastructure deployments across development, staging, and production environments.

What is an Azure Resource Manager Template for DevOps Engineers?

An Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Template is a JSON-based Infrastructure as Code solution that defines the resources needed to deploy Azure cloud infrastructure in a consistent, repeatable manner. For DevOps engineers, ARM templates eliminate manual configuration errors, enable version-controlled infrastructure, and accelerate deployment cycles. This Miro template serves as a visual planning and documentation board that helps teams design, review, and deploy complete e-commerce infrastructure including web apps, databases, storage, caching, CDN, and monitoring services.

What problem does this ARM template solve for DevOps teams?

DevOps engineers face several challenges when planning Azure infrastructure deployments:

• Complexity overload: Managing 10+ Azure resources with interdependencies is difficult without visual documentation

• Cost surprises: Deploying without proper SKU planning leads to unexpected bills

• Configuration errors: Manual parameter filling causes typos and deployment failures

• Team misalignment: Distributed teams struggle to collaborate on infrastructure decisions

• Knowledge gaps: Junior engineers need guidance on resource dependencies and best practices

• Deployment delays: Back-and-forth between architecture design and implementation slows releases

This template solves these problems by providing a complete visual workspace where teams can collaboratively plan infrastructure, estimate costs, document configurations, and generate deployment-ready ARM templates—all in one Miro board.

How to use the E-commerce ARM template

Getting started

1. Duplicate the template to your Miro workspace

2. Invite your team (DevOps engineers, architects, project managers)

3. Review Section 1 to understand all ARM template components

4. Navigate through 9 sections using frames for easy organization

Filling out the template

1. Section 2 - Parameters: Fill in the configuration table with your project details (project name, environment, SKUs, credentials)

2. Section 3 - Architecture: Review the resource dependency diagram and customize for your needs

3. Section 4 - Resources: Document each Azure resource's configuration and purpose

4. Section 5 - Variables: Define your naming conventions using the variable mapping

5. Section 6 - Outputs: Specify which connection strings and endpoints you need returned

6. Section 7 - Costs: Calculate estimated monthly costs across environments

7. Section 8 - Checklist: Track deployment progress through pre, during, and post-deployment phases

Collaborating with your team

• Use sticky notes to add tips, warnings, and environment-specific notes

• Add comments on parameters to discuss SKU selections and configurations

• Use voting to decide on architecture choices as a team

• Present the board in meetings to get stakeholder approval before deployment

• Export sections as images for documentation or presentations

Generating the ARM template

Once planning is complete:

1. Use the documented parameters to create your JSON parameter files

2. Reference the architecture diagram to ensure correct resource dependencies

3. Copy the deployment commands from Section 8

4. Deploy to dev environment first, then staging, then production

Miro features used in this template

This template leverages key Miro features to create an interactive planning experience:

• Frames: Each of the 9 sections is organized in its own frame for easy navigation and presentation mode

• Tables: All parameter configurations, cost comparisons, and resource details are structured in tables for easy editing and collaboration

• Notes: Color-coded notes (yellow for tips, blue for best practices, red for warnings, green for examples) provide contextual guidance throughout the board

• Shapes & Connectors: The architecture diagram uses shapes to represent Azure resources with arrows showing dependencies and deployment order

• Tags: Color-coded tags indicate required vs. optional components, cost levels, and priority

• Comments: Team members can discuss decisions directly on specific elements

FAQs

How do I adapt this template for non-e-commerce applications?

The template includes a comprehensive adaptation guide in Section 4. Simply remove resources you don't need (e.g., Redis for simple apps) and add new resources using the same structure. The template works for any Azure application: APIs, mobile backends, IoT solutions, data platforms, or ML workloads. Update the parameters table and architecture diagram to reflect your specific resources.

What if I'm new to ARM templates and don't understand all the sections?

The template is designed for all skill levels. Section 1 provides a complete overview of all ARM components with examples. Each section includes detailed descriptions, examples, and color-coded sticky notes with explanations. Start with the "How to Use in Miro" instructions, then follow the sections sequentially. The video guide (linked below) provides a walkthrough for beginners.

Can I use this template for multi-region deployments?

Yes! The template includes a deploymentRegion parameter ("primary" or "secondary") for tracking multi-region setups. Create separate frames for each region, duplicate the parameter tables, and adjust location parameters. The architecture diagram can be copied and modified for region-specific configurations. Use different color schemes to distinguish between regions.

How do I estimate costs accurately for my specific scenario?

Section 7 provides baseline cost estimates for 4 environment types (dev, staging, production, high-scale). Use the Azure Pricing Calculator (linked in the template) to get exact pricing for your region and specific configurations. Update the cost table with your calculated values. Consider factors like data transfer, storage usage, and backup costs which vary by usage patterns.

Video guide available

A complete video walkthrough is available showing how to use this template, fill in all sections, collaborate with your team, and generate deployment-ready ARM templates. The video covers real-world examples, common pitfalls, and time-saving tips for DevOps teams.

Get started today and transform your Azure infrastructure planning from scattered documentation into a collaborative, visual, deployment-ready workspace!

Happy Deploying!

Khawaja Rizwan