Cloud Computing


Microsoft Talks Up Windows RT's App Management Capabilities

Windows RT, the version of Windows 8 for ARM-based devices, can be used for both personal and business purposes, even while organizational control is maintained over application access, Microsoft explained on Thursday.

Microsoft Releases Windows Intune 'Preview,' Outlines BYOD Vision

Microsoft kicked off the second day of the Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) on Wednesday by laying out its vision for connected devices and the "consumerization of IT."

Microsoft Releases System Center 2012, Officially Names 'Windows Server 2012'

The forthcoming product code-named "Windows Server 8" now has the official name of "Windows Server 2012," Microsoft announced on Tuesday at the Microsoft Management Summit in Las Vegas.

Dynamics CRM: How Microsoft Is Stepping Up to Salesforce.com

Microsoft may be an underdog in the crowded CRM software field, but with a new GM in the Dynamics CRM business, the company seems poised to take on Oracle, SAP and CRM giant Salesforce.com.

Microsoft Expands Windows Azure Coverage to U.S. East and West

Windows Azure, Microsoft's Platform as a Service (PaaS) cloud-based operating system, now has datacenters servicing both U.S. East and West regions, Microsoft announced last week.

Cloud Pricing: Amazon, Google and Microsoft Race to the Bottom

As cloud computing gets more competitive, market leaders and newcomers will continue to push pricing downward.

Study: Office 365 Savings Stop at Enterprise-Grade Deployments

A study commissioned by Azaleos Corp., a Microsoft National Systems Integrator (NSI) partner, has found that Microsoft's public cloud Office 365 offerings are not always cheaper than other Microsoft-stack approaches.

A Cloud Real Estate Rush Is On for SMBs

WEB EXCLUSIVE: A Microsoft-sponsored survey of 3,000 companies shows that despite the threats of outages and security breaches, businesses are getting more comfortable with the idea of putting their data on the cloud.

Gartner: 'Personal Cloud' To Supplant PCs by 2014

The PC will no longer be the primary digital device for most users by 2014, according to a new report from research firm Gartner.

Microsoft Cuts Office 365 Prices by 20 Percent

Microsoft is slashing the prices of many of its Office 365 plans by about 20 percent effective immediately, the company said this week.

SQL Server 2012 Hits RTM, Set for General Release in April

SQL Server 2012, Microsoft's newest relational database management system, hit the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) milestone on Tuesday and is available for download and testing as an evaluation version.

IBM Woos Former Enemies with Managed Services Play

For years, computing behemoth IBM viewed managed services providers (MSP) as competitors, but that's a thing of the past.

Tech Data's StreamOne Solutions Store Aims To Link Providers

The IT distributor is taking the effort it started with Software License Selector further into the cloud.

Outages Hit Windows Azure; Microsoft Blames Leap Year (UPDATED)

Components of Microsoft's Windows Azure service are still crippled after a series of hours-long outages affecting multiple countries.

Windows Azure vs. Amazon: Microsoft Preps for Cloud Battle

Windows Azure currently lags in the cloud wars, but new features expected to be rolled out this year might boost its odds against market leader Amazon.

Microsoft Dynamics Partner Armanino McKenna Extends CRM Practice with Gateway Buy

Looking to boost its customer relationship practice, Armanino McKenna LLP this week said that it has acquired CRM specialist Gateway Solutions Inc. for an undisclosed amount.

Microsoft Revs Its CRM Engine

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Despite its underdog status in the crowded field of customer relationship management software, the new general manager of Microsoft's Dynamics CRM business is ready to take on market leaders Salesforce.com, Oracle and SAP.

Microsoft Details Major SkyDrive Changes, Preps Metro App for Windows 8

A SkyDrive storage app optimized for Windows 8's "Metro"-style user interface will debut with the Windows 8 consumer preview release, Microsoft said this week.

How 3 Microsoft Partners Are Adapting Their Service Models for the Cloud

As SMBs adopt cloud solutions, how can partners continue to provide value-added services to those organizations? Innovative partners are finding ways to "package" services to accompany cloud-based changes in both technology and buyer attitudes.

Microsoft Slashes SQL Azure Pricing, Adds New Storage Option

Microsoft once again made some cuts to its SQL Azure pricing, as well as introduced a 100 MB database storage option.