Azure cloud service takes off

Microsoft's cloud computing service, Windows Azure, has already attracted thousands of users, despite debuting only six months ago, states IT Pro Portal.

Azure provides users with scalable computing power and storage, as well as offering a number of online services run from Microsoft data centres.

Released as a premium subscription service in February, Azure has held on to the custom of many companies even after their free trial period has expired.

System integrator CDG Group is planning to expand its business into software-as-a-service (SaaS) or cloud computing, as well as developing multi-layered software applications to support government agencies and state and private enterprises, says The Nation.

Chief executive Nart Liuchareon says SaaS and cloud computing were technology trends and new-business models for his company, with which it would provide new services to its customers.

"As a system integrator, or SI, we are preparing to provide software applications and solutions through SaaS and cloud computing. This will create complexity, as a variety of applications will be needed to support medium and large organisations," he said.

Former Amazon.com and Amazon Web Services technology honchos Jesse Robbins and Chris Pinkham have started their own cloud computing companies; Opscode and Nimbula respectively, writes Search Cloud Computing.

Both are aimed at bringing cloud technologies to the enterprise. Robbins has good credentials when it comes to cloud computing.

His company Opscode's open source "scripting on steroids" tools are known as Chef, power RightScale, Rackspace and Engine Yard.