Microsoft launches cloud services

Microsoft officially moved into the era of cloud computing today with the release of the Windows Azure platform.Speaking at the Professional Developers Conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft’s Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie described Windows Azure and SQL Azure as the core elements of the company’s cloud services strategy.Ozzie says that customers want choice and flexibility in how they develop and deploy applications.Built specifically for this “era of cloud computing”, the Windows Azure and SQL Azure platforms will give developers what they need to build great applications and profitable businesses, says Ozzie.Scott Wylie, Microsoft New Zealand’s Director of Developer and Platform Strategy, says he sees the Azure platform as an opportunity for developers to get the support of a software specialist company in the cloud.“The technology industry is in the midst of a computing transformation as more applications are being delivered over the web and through the browser,” he says. “With Azure, Microsoft has staked its claim in the cloud computing arena.”While the adoption rate of cloud technologies in New Zealand is currently low, IDC Senior Analyst Rasika Versleijen-Pradhan says to expect greater traction in the next two to three years.And the launch of Microsoft Azure platform is the just the start, she says.“The launch of Microsoft Azure platform is the first step of a long evolutionary path that customers will take, moving towards a more hybrid approach, that uses both on-premise and off-premise hosting services.”Versleijen-Pradhan says the challenge will be in moving applications architected in an internal IT infrastructure and deploying them to an external cloud.But Microsoft’s move could prove to be a major positive for the company, she says.“It could potentially increase Microsoft’s share value and create greater loyalty for customers towards Microsoft.”