The VAR Guy has a hunch: Microsoft’s best hope for future growth is Windows Azure, the company’s cloud-based operating system. So Microsoft’s decision to merge Windows Server and Windows Azure into a single organization — called the Server & Cloud Division (SCD) — was a smart one. Here’s why.
In the 1990s, Microsoft worked overtime to recruit skeptical channel partners and software ISVs — Oracle, SAP, Computer Associates, IBM, Lotus and more — onto the Windows NT Server platform. As NT gained application support, Microsoft’s business fortunes rose. Dramatically.
Now, Microsoft must repeat that entire process with Windows Azure. Specifically, Microsoft needs to inspire Windows Server ISVs to leap into the Windows Azure cloud.
Time for a Reorg
Eager to speed partner engagements, Microsoft is organizing the Windows Server and Windows Azure teams into a single division. The move, according to the Windows Server Division WebLog, “will help strengthen an already solid and extensive partner ecosystem.”
So far, Microsoft’s progress with Windows Azure seems promising. Even the open source crowd — MySQL and SugarCRM, among others — are leaping to Azure.
Still, Microsoft will need to accelerate that momentum as Azure nears its official launch in 2010. Closer communications with the Windows Server team can’t hurt.
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Tags: Azure MySQL | Azure SurgarCRM | Microsoft Cloud | Microsoft Server and Cloud Division | Windows Azure | Windows Azure Cloud | Windows Server
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I don’t always agree with you but in this case I certainly do. Azure is already connecting with ISVs. Open source and closed source options will be widely available on Azure. Microsoft is about to build another empire but I’m not sure Azure will be “big enough” to offset the continued erosion of Microsoft’s desktop dominance.
Hey Carl: Thanks for backing The VAR Guy’s thesis. Are you a channel partner? Customer? Just wondering how you formed your opinions on Azure.
-TVG
I have to side with Carl here. I feel as if Microsoft is regaining IT’s respect just in time for the shift to cloud computing.
Even during the dark years with Vista the vast majority of my customers continued to trust Microsoft oriented networks. Exchange, SQL, Windows Server and the rest of Microsoft’s server products remain in high demand. I could be wrong but I think Azure will continue Microsoft’s string of server oriented successes though from a cloud perspective.