Microsoft Challenged to Commit to Open Cloud

Microsoft is being challenged to “get in line” with other companies participating in a yet secretive group dedicated to ensuring openness in the Cloud. The Redmond company confirmed that it was handed the Open Cloud Manifesto, but went on to decry the very development process of the guidelines as lacking in openness. Reuven Cohen, founder and CTO of Enomaly, one of the companies involved in authoring the principles and guidelines designed to guarantee interoperability in Cloud computing, pointed out that there was no better opportunity for Microsoft to make clear its position on an open process as well as Cloud computing interoperability.

“Their pre-announcement of the manifesto was a complete surprise given our conversations. If Microsoft is truly committed to an open cloud ecosystem, this document provides a perfect opportunity to publicly state it,” Cohen said. “Let me say, we've been in active discussions with Microsoft about the open cloud manifesto which has literally come together in the last couple weeks. It is unfortunate they feel this way. Microsoft was among the first to review the manifesto.”

Steven Martin, director, CSD Product Management Microsoft, stated that the software giant had found itself “disappointed by the lack of openness in the development of the Cloud Manifesto,” although he declared that the company was nothing short of loving with the concept. The problem, from Microsoft's perspective, was that the Open Cloud Manifesto was presented to the company after it had already been set in stone. The software giant got no chance to put its own two cents in.

“What we heard was that there was no desire to discuss, much less implement, enhancements to the document despite the fact that we have learned through direct experience. Very recently we were privately shown a copy of the document, warned that it was a secret, and told that it must be signed "as is," without modifications or additional input,” Martin explained.

Microsoft accused the group behind the Open Cloud Manifesto as attempting to control the evolution of Cloud computing. Martin signaled the irony that the Open manifesto was in fact the product of a closed process. Instead, the software giant is calling for an open, transparent and complete project.

“We love the idea of openness in cloud computing and are eager for industry dialogue on how best to think about cloud computing and interoperability,” Martin stated. “Cloud computing provides fertile ground that will drive innovation, and an open cloud ecosystem is rich with potential for customers and the industry as a whole. So, we welcome an open dialogue to define interoperability principles that reflect the diversity of cloud approaches. If there is a truly open, transparent, inclusive dialogue on cloud interoperability and standards principles, we are enthusiastically 'in'.”