Is Microsoft competing with hosters by launching the Windows Azure Platform?
The Windows Azure Platform is a development platform for cloud-based services. Microsoft is offering a cloud services platform that could be used to build and run many types of web applications, from simple web sites to complex ERP systems. Microsoft expects many partners, including hosters, to develop finished market-ready services on top of the Windows Azure Platform. By providing and managing the underlying infrastructure, Microsoft frees the partner to develop value-added cloud services without having to wrestle with the complexities and costs of scale-out compute and storage. In providing the Windows Azure Platform and its accompanying partner pricing models, Microsoft is providing all types of Microsoft partners the means to innovate and use the platform as a springboard to success in their market.
