Azure offers more choice

Apart from the basic conveniences that cloud computing offers like ample

storage, flexibility and security, what else is Microsoft going to offer its

customers through Azure?



Microsoft is providing a whole platform which not only includes the base

compute and storage services (Windows Azure, envisioned to have the base

capabilities of that of an operating system), but a whole lot of application

building blocks focused both on business and consumer scenarios, available as

out of the box service utilization. The entire Azure Services Platform is in

nascent stage and as it develops further, Microsoft will continue adding more

servicesboth based on market requirements and customer feedback.

Moorthy Uppaluri, general manager, developer and platform evangelism, Microsoft India

What ticked Microsoft to enter the cloud computing market?



Ray Ozzie, chief software architect of Microsoft, in his now famous memo had

talked about Internet Services Disruption. In that memo, he explains how

technology has evolved over the past few decades and how the timing is now right

for a services phase.  This has mainly happened due to advances in

computing and communication.  The main tenet that he focused on was

service-enhanced experiences, not exactly what the industry was talking about

then which was an all-services approach.  This led to the vision of

Software + Services which makes the best use of both worldson-premise

software (in desktops or on servers) and cloud-based services.  The model

offers more choice to customers, makes best use of both environments and offers

on-demand scaling model.

What sort of competition does Microsoft expect in this space? Is it a good

time considering players like Amazon and Google are established already?



Microsoft has the unique advantage of a very broad range of services that

complement its current portfolio of enterprise and consumer products.

Microsoft also has tremendous experience granted by its large portfolio of

online properties and services including Microsoft.com, Windows Update and

Microsoft Update, MSN.com, MSDN and TechNet networks, Windows Live Services and

even the more recent Office Live services that provided small and medium

business with core business applications. It is these strengths and a much

larger vision that Microsoft brings to the table.

Shikha Das



shikhad@cybermedia.co.in