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Microsoft is one of the major cloud computing service providers of today. Just like Amazon, Google and other organizations that provide cloud computing services, Microsoft provides both free and paid cloud services, each for different target users. The products of Microsoft that are cloud-based are Windows Live and Microsoft Cloud Services. Windows Live is a collection of Microsoft softwares which majority of the softwares are web-based applications. The applications consists of both types of applications whereby some run directly on browsers while others have to be downloaded and run on the users' computer. Windows Live consists of Hotmail, Messenger, Essentials, SkyDrive, and Mobile. On the other hand, Microsoft Cloud Services consists of the cloud services that Microsoft offers. The cloud services provided are Window Azure Platform, Business Productivity Online Services (BPOS) and Service Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA).
We are not going to go very deep into each and every cloud services that Microsoft offers, because it might be very confusing for the general public to understand. In short, here is a list of brief descriptions that describes the functions mentioned earlier:
Windows Live
- Hotmail : Provides e-mail services for users to compose mail, attach files, categorize contacts and others.
- Essentials : A downloadable package of free programs for users to manage photos and videos, chat online, e-mail, blog and also control Internet activity. Examples of programs included is Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Movie Maker, Windows Live Photo Gallery and others.
- SkyDrive :Provides online storage for users to store files and also share the stored files all for free. It currently provides 25GB of storage capacity.
- Mobile :Compressed version of Windows Live for mobile phones. Users can use Windows Live services through mobile phones.
As mentioned above, the components of Windows Azure Platform are Windows Azure, SQL Azure Database and Windows Azure Platform AppFabric. The function of Windows Azure Platform is that it acts as a server appliance for complete outsourcing and private/on-premise cloud. Each component has its own task, which are:
- Windows Azure: Provides a Windows-based environment for data store and running applications on servers in Microsoft data centers.
- SQL Azure Database: Provides cloud based database services on SQL Server.
- Windows Azure Platform AppFabric: Provides cloud services for connecting applications running in the cloud or on premises.
Next, Business Productivity Online Services (BPOS) Standard Suite includes Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Live Meeting, Office Communications Online and Dynamics CRM Online. Each of this application has its own specialist that is:
- Exchange Online: For Enterprise standard email services.
- SharePoint Online: For file sharing.
- Office Live Meeting: For conducting real-time meetings online.
- Office Communications Online: Provides communication for big organizations or business uses.
- Dynamics CRM Online: Mainly for Customer Relationship Management.
All these application services can only be accessed online as Microsoft is the sole service provider.
Lastly, Service Provider Licensing Agreement (SPLA), is defined from Splaindia as:
A simple pay-as-you-go subscription model to all service providers and Independent Software Vendors (ISV) who offers Software as a Service (SaaS)... billed on a per user per month basis.
( http://www.splaindia.com/website/BenefitsSPLA.aspx, Sep 2010)
The SPLA model decreases customers’ acquisition and operating costs, while improving the accessibility and productivity of the service. We will explain more on Saas services and other types of services in later posts.
All this services are contributions of Microsoft to in the Cloud Computing field. As for Microsoft users why not try it as the application can lead and guide users step by step to understand and use Cloud Computing better. Have you tried any of these services? What are your reviews of these services? Have you ever come across any other better cloud computing services?
Reference:
Internet Reference:
The Citrix Blog: What is Microsoft Cloud Computing,
Retrieved on August 2010.
Windows Azure Platform: Products,
Retrieved on August 2010.
Microsoft Cloud Services: Cloud Services,
Retrieved on August 2010.
Windows Live: Windows Live,
Retrieved on August 2010.
Kryptos: Microsoft SPLA, Retrieved on August 2010.
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