Cloud Computing


Microsoft Azure AD Synchronization Features Hit Preview Stage

Two Microsoft Azure Active Directory synchronization features were released as "previews" this week.

Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute Launches as Preview via Equinix

Redwood City, Calif.-based Equinix Inc., a provider of space, power and interconnection products and services for companies, is adding Microsoft's Azure ExpressRoute technology to its datacenters worldwide.

Microsoft Azure Automation Feature Launches as Preview

A new automation feature for managing Microsoft Azure workloads became available as a preview on Tuesday.

Microsoft Azure, Office 365 Get EU Privacy Approval

Some of Microsoft's cloud-based services have been endorsed by the European Union's Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) as meeting EU privacy law standards.

Verizon, BT To Offer 'Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute' in Summer

Verizon and BT will support the Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute service starting this summer, enabling customers of the two telecom service providers to use their specialized connection service offerings to access various Azure services without connecting to the public Internet.

Google Unveils Software-Defined Networking Technology

Google this week unveiled "Andromeda," the code name for its new software-defined networking (SDN) technology that is powering its internal services.

Microsoft, Amazon Trade Volleys in Cloud Price Wars

In response to Amazon's recent round of cloud compute and storage price cuts, Microsoft on Monday slashed the rates for its Window Azure -- soon to be Microsoft Azure -- cloud service.

Microsoft Unveils Office for iPad, Enterprise Mobility Suite

Fifty-two days after taking the role of CEO at Microsoft, Satya Nadella detailed his "mobile first, cloud first" vision, as well as announced some new products, including Office for iPad and new licensing for organizations managing mobile devices.

Windows Azure Becomes Generally Available in China

Microsoft on Wednesday launched its Windows Azure cloud platform in China, making it the first multinational company to offer public cloud services in the country.

Windows Azure To Become 'Microsoft Azure' Next Month

Effective April 3, Microsoft's Windows Azure cloud platform will be officially be called "Microsoft Azure."

NSA Testimony: Microsoft, Others Knew of Government Surveillance

An attorney for the U.S. National Security Agency said that contrary to their denials, service providers, including Microsoft, knew of the NSA's broad access to customer data.

Google Courting Cloud Apps Users with Referral Program Launch

Google on Monday kicked off a referral program to promote its Google Apps for Business product in U.S. and Canadian markets.

How Microsoft Licensing Is Throttling Desktop as a Service

SMBs are ready for Microsoft to let DaaS out of the box now, but Microsoft licensing policies are holding the market back, argues VDI consultant Michael Fraser.

Microsoft To Offer OneDrive for Business as Standalone Service

Microsoft will release its OneDrive for Business product, formerly named SkyDrive Pro, as a standalone service in April.

iOS Users Get First Crack at OneDrive for Business

Microsoft on Thursday gave a few details about OneDrive for Business, the company's business-grade document storage service based on SharePoint Online technology.

Microsoft Updates Windows Azure with Management Improvements

Microsoft Cloud and Enterprise Vice President Scott Guthrie outlined several new Windows Azure management improvements in a blog post last week.

Microsoft Officially Launches OneDrive Cloud Storage

Microsoft on Wednesday officially transitioned its SkyDrive cloud storage to the new OneDrive, though Windows 8 users will have to wait a bit longer to access the rebranded service.

Office 365 Gets Multifactor Authentication at No Cost

Microsoft this week added free multifactor authentication support to its standalone Office 365 plans, as well as to the Midsize Business, Enterprise, Academic and Nonprofit Office 365 plans.

Nadella To Set Microsoft's Course Toward Mobile and Cloud

Microsoft is on a "mobile first/cloud first" trajectory, said newly appointed Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in a speech Tuesday.

Microsoft Adds HPC Boost to Windows Azure, Windows Server 2012 R2

Microsoft's Windows Azure Cloud Services and Windows Server 2012 R2 products are getting several high-performance computing (HPC) enhancements this month.