14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has expanded the availability of its Cloud operating system to 20 new markets worldwide. As of today, April 12, 2010, the Windows Azure platform is available to customers in a total of 41 countries and regions globally. Microsoft Windows Azure includes components such as Windows Azure, SQL Azure, and Windows Azure platform AppFabric. Initially, the company’s Cloud platform was offered on 21 markets when it went live on February 1st, 2010. At the time of Windows Azure’s general availability (GA), a little over two months ago, the software giant had promised to open its Cloud platform to more customers around the world. With the addition of 20 countries and regions, Windows Azure’s global footprint has increased consistently, to almost double the number of markets of the initial launch.
“With the Windows Azure platform, customers can take advantage of greater choice in developing cloud-based applications by using familiar tools and leveraging on-premises investments. Since February 1, thousands of customers have signed up for accounts and customers including OCCMatch.com and Sharpcloud have deployed cloud applications on the Windows Azure platform,” a member of the Windows Azure team revealed.
Although Microsoft already announced the availability of Windows Azure in 20 new markets, it will take at least a few days before the company’s global customer base and partner ecosystem will be able to start leveraging Cloud offerings. According to the software giant, Windows Azure will be rolled out successively to the 20 new countries and regions by the end of this week.
“Partners also have the opportunity to create new revenue streams by deploying cloud applications and services on the Windows Azure platform to reach new global markets and generate new revenue opportunities,” the Windows Azure team representative added.
Microsoft provided the complete list with the 20 new markets to get access to Windows Azure, as well as the currency in which customers would be billed:
- Australia $ AUD; - Brazil $ USD; - Chile $ USD; - Colombia $ USD; - Costa Rica $ USD; - Cyprus € EUR; - Czech Republic € EUR; - Greece € EUR; - Hong Kong $ USD; - Hungary € EUR; - Israel $ USD; - Luxemburg € EUR; - Malaysia $ USD; - Mexico $ USD; - Peru $USD; - Philippines $ USD; - Poland € EUR; - Puerto Rico $ USD; - Romania € EUR; - Trinidad and Tobago $ USD.