Learn Azure: AZ-900/AZ-104/204 - Interview with the developer of a fantastic app

Did you have any prior development or coding experience?

My name is Denis Kazakov and I have 15 years of commercial experience in software development.

What was the most challenging aspect of developing mobile app?

Learn Azure is a cross-platform app that supports thousands of different iOS and Android devices. So, I guess the most challenging part is to make Lean Azure work correctly on such a huge range of different screens and hardware.

Also, it was challenging to develop unique questions and answers for Azure tests that exactly match Microsoft Certification exam topics. I and my team had to check and go through hundreds of articles about Azure services to create all existing quizzes inside the app. Now the app contains more than 700 questions and links to articles that cover popular topics of Azure services.

_{Denys Kazakov}

Denis Kazakov is an IT specialist with 15 years of experience in software development. He along with his two teammates, who take care of QA and UI/UX, built this app to help people interested in Microsoft Azure certification.

Name a few of your favorite apps and reason you love them.

I am using Sleepiest to fall asleep, it has a cool UI/UX and free sounds.
I use the Bolt app almost every day to rent a scooter or call for a taxi.

How long have you been working on this app?

I started to work on Learn Azure project at the end of 2020 and the first release appeared in app stores in January 2021. Since that, I am improving the app and for the current day v2.7 is in AppStore and GooglePlay.

What need of the user did you have in mind when developing this app?

This app was born out of my own needs. I prepared for Microsoft Azure certification, but usually, it was on the go. I wanted to find an app that will help me to prepare for exams via my smartphone, but I didn't find what I need in 2020. Then I decided to develop it myself and it looks like I am not alone with such a problem. Currently, Learn Azure has 20,000+ users for iOS and Android together.

In what way do you think your app is better than similar apps on the market? Please describe in detail what innovation you think you bring and what you are proud of in your app.

1) It’s absolutely free and has no ads now
2) It has unique questions to prepare for the most popular Microsoft Azure certification exams
3) For each question has related learning material. If the user doesn’t know the answer then she can learn it from a related question
4) I guess, it has perfect UI/UX developed by an experienced designer

What are your future plans and expected features of the coming new versions of this app?

I have dozens of plans for this app for the future. Now I am working on 3rd version of the app which will be an all-in-one solution to prepare for Azure certification and learn Azure services. It will contain text and video learning materials, motivation mechanisms for users to keep learning, and integration with the backend to update content faster.

I am also planning to release a version for desktop and web.

Assuming new users of your app are reading this page. What do you want to ask them to do (contact you about X, Share the app, etc.)?

Only one thing. If Lean Azure app helped you to earn Microsoft Azure certification please let me know at [email protected] . That way, I’ll know that my efforts go to the right place ;-)