Microsoft has introduced the Windows Azure platform appliance, the turnkey cloud services platform for deployment in customer and service provider data centres, at its annual Worldwide Partner Conference. Dell, eBay, Fujitsu and HP are early adopters of a limited production release of the appliance. The Windows Azure platform appliance combines Windows Azure and Microsoft SQL Azure with Microsoft-specified hardware, enabling on-demand IT capacity. Enterprises and service provider partners deploying the appliance in their data centres will help maintain physical control of location, regulatory compliance and data. Microsoft also disclosed new details regarding Microsoft code name "Dallas," an information service powered by the Windows Azure platform that provides developers and information workers access to third-party data sets and web services. Microsoft also elaborated on several new enhancements to the Microsoft server platform that help customers and partners build cloud services, including the Release Candidate of the System Centre Virtual Machine Manager Self Service Portal 2.0. The company also introduced the Microsoft Management and Virtualisation Solution Incentive and the Private Cloud Deployment Kit, which offers financial rewards and guidance to partners as they build virtualisation and private cloud services. The company also detailed the partner opportunity with Windows 7 and announced the beta release of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, which enhance the deployment and management of virtualised desktop infrastructure. Microsoft also announced the second public beta of Windows Intune, a new offering that uses features of both Windows cloud services and Windows 7 to manage and help secure PCs. The company highlighted growing partner momentum for Microsoft Online Services and announced the new partnerships with communications service providers, including Bell Canada, BT, PGi, TDC, and Telenor Group, as well as distributors Ingram Micro and Tech Data. Microsoft also announced the naming and expected beta availability of the next version of Microsoft Dynamics CRM.
Microsoft and Fujitsu have entered into a worldwide cloud computing contract, which will enable Fujitsu to deploy the Windows Azure platform appliance in its data centres. Fujitsu will deliver a set of new cloud services, including system integration, cloud migration and managed services, to customers and independent software vendors. Fujitsu will also run its own applications on the appliance. The Fujitsu cloud services based on the Windows Azure platform will be available first in Fujitsu's data centres in Japan, starting at the Fujitsu Tatebayashi System Centre by the end of this year, to be followed by other locations around the world. In addition to the appliance, Fujitsu will be providing services on the Windows Azure platform to customers on a global basis.
Microsoft and Dell have signed a contract to enable Dell to use the Windows Azure platform appliance, as a part of its Dell Services Cloud to develop and deliver enhanced cloud services for Dell and its enterprise, public, small and medium-sized business customers. Dell Services will immediately begin implementing the limited production release of the Windows Azure platform appliance to host public and private clouds for its customers, using its vertical industry expertise in providing options for flexible application hosting and delivery, and increased efficiency of IT operations and delivery. Dell Services will also provide advisory services, application migration, and integration and implementation services. Dell will also work with Microsoft to develop a Windows Azure platform appliance for large enterprise, public and hosting customers to deploy in their own data centres. The appliance will use infrastructure from Dell combined with the Windows Azure platform.
Microsoft and eBay have also signed a contract to allow eBay to be one of the customers of the Windows Azure platform. EBay will incorporate the Windows Azure platform appliance into two of its datacentres. EBay and Microsoft will deploy the Windows Azure platform appliance this year.
Microsoft will work with HP to deliver a complete hardware, software, services and sourcing solution that will accelerate customers’ transition to the Windows Azure platform. Customers will be able to manage the appliance with HP Converged Infrastructure on-premises or choose HP data centre hosting services.
