Sky is the limit with cloud computing

Prasopchoke Pramongkit

Many different terms have been used to describe this trend: Web 2.0, Software as a Service (SaaS), Web Services, the Grid and Cloud Computing, but all these terms describe the same fundamental shift in how data is managed and processed. Put simply, rather than running software on a desktop computer or server, Internet users are now able to use "the cloud" - a networked collection of servers, storage systems, and devices - to combine software, data and computing power scattered in many locations across the network.

For the past 18 months I have been spreading the message of Microsoft's next shift - what we call Software plus Services (S+S). This enables customers to continue receiving the benefits of their on-site IT investments, but also encourages them to take greater advantage of convenient online access to services like e-mail, document creation, sharing and management. However, to fully realise the benefits of S+S, customers must first have a platform that provides them with a world-class way of building, managing, deploying and consuming services that are hosted in the cloud.

This is where Microsoft's Azure Services Platform comes in, by offering users more than the basic storage utilities normally associated with the cloud. Indeed with Azure, Microsoft is leading the way by extending the Windows platform to the cloud with a flexible application model that spans the server, Web, PC and mobile devices.

Hosted in Microsoft data centres, Azure is bringing together the enormous scale and potential of the cloud with an easy-to-use platform that gives customers the choice and control they need to make sure their individual and business needs are accurately met.

Already we are seeing some exciting results as developers are taking advantage of the ability to build customised Web applications and hybrid solutions that can run on PCs, servers and connected devices. With an open, standards-based and interoperable environment that supports multiple internet protocols, including HTTP, REST, SOAP and XML, these new enhanced applications can not only be built using existing developer tools such as Visual Studio and the .NET Framework, but also allow for the open-source community to get involved with Web services standards support and software development kits for Ruby and Java developers.

With so many businesses today looking for viable ways to cut their costs, Azure reduces the need for up-front technology purchases and does not require expensive training, since developers can quickly and easily create cloud applications using their existing skills.

Furthermore, we have simplified the ongoing operation and maintenance of applications by providing straightforward management tools and an infrastructure that can be scaled down to match usage needs - including the option of a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

For those who don't wish to develop applications themselves, Microsoft also offers ready-to-use cloud applications, such as Windows Live, Microsoft Dynamics and other Microsoft-Online Services for business, such as Microsoft Exchange Online and SharePoint Online. So, whether you're a software vendor, a corporate IT group or a start-up, there is undoubtedly a cloud-computing application out there ready to help you to more efficiently focus on your business and the needs of your customers.

Prasopchoke Pramongkit is national technology director of Microsoft (Thailand).