Another Magic with Power of the Shell: Automating Speech-to-Text Setup with ARM Templates.

Here we go. Some more details we promised yesterday. On our Logiquill platform, where do we analyze the data from students’ applications and interviews (check out on of our earlier posts if you want a reminder on the whole flow Even the most enchanted hats can make a wrong call…  | Arctic Cloud Developer Challenge Submissions) we built a project combining Azure Speech-to-Text and automation to claim the Power of the Shell badge in the ALM category. Here’s how we used Azure (WE LOVE IT!!) and scripting to streamline our workflow.

What We Did

We used Azure’s Speech-to-Text service to convert spoken words into text, perfect for automating meeting transcripts or capturing dynamic input. To make deployments repeatable and fast, we created an ARM template that defines the service setup.

How It Works

The following ARM template automatically deploys the Speech-to-Text service: {

  "$schema": "https://schema.management.azure.com/schemas/2019-04-01/deploymentTemplate.json#",
  "contentVersion": "1.0.0.0",
  "parameters": {
    "accounts_sp_la_powerpages_name": {
      "defaultValue": "sp-la-powerpages",
      "type": "String"
    }
  },
  "resources": [
    {
      "type": "Microsoft.CognitiveServices/accounts",
      "name": "[parameters('accounts_sp_la_powerpages_name')]",
      "location": "northeurope",
      "sku": { "name": "F0" },
      "kind": "SpeechServices",
      "properties": {
        "publicNetworkAccess": "Enabled"
      }
    }
  ]
}

This template deploys the Speech-to-Text service with the F0 pricing tier, ensuring cost efficiency.

Automating with PowerShell

To deploy the service, we used a simple PowerShell script: New-AzResourceGroup -Name "ACDC-RG" -Location "northeurope"

 
New-AzDeployment -ResourceGroupName "ACDC-RG" `
  -TemplateFile "speech-to-text-template.json" `
  -TemplateParameterFile "parameters.json"

This script creates a resource group and deploys the template, making setup quick and error-free.

Why This Matters

Using the ARM template and PowerShell together:

  • Saves time by automating resource creation.
  • Ensures every environment is consistent.
  • Fits neatly into CI/CD pipelines for ALM workflows.

This approach shows how scripting and Azure services can simplify tasks, letting us focus on building great solutions.

Slytherin essentials

Our camp is full of all that a Slytherin needs: evil wands, snakes, emeralds, and cauldron snacks! Did I mention the magical bath tub also 3D printed by our very own Herman? All set up for a perfect day of coding.

A Magical Start to Our Hackathon Day

Even before the sun was up, we were wide awake—coffee mugs in hand and Harry Potter costumes at the ready! Our team is determined to grab that Morning Glory badge for our early start, and we’re keeping the energy high to earn the Remarkable Teamspirit badge. We’ll snap plenty of photos (wands and laptops included) and share the excitement across our social channels. Here’s to a day of coding magic and unbreakable camaraderie!

Morning Glory

“Early bird gets the work” or as we say in Harry Potters “First to seize the Snitch wins the match”.

“It’s EVIDIosa, not leviosa”, the first team in the Great Hall the second day ACDC. That might not be a badge but some house points to Huffelpuff???

The team is ready for day two🤓🤓