Windows Azure Services Training Kit Updated

Microsoft is making headway with its Cloud operating system. In this regard, the Redmond company is introducing not only updates to Windows Azure itself, but also to the resources accompanying the platform. The Azure Services Training Kit – April Update went live on April 9, 2009, and is currently up for grabs via the Microsoft Download Center, offering refreshed content to testers of the Cloud platform. With Microsoft planning to finalize Windows Azure by the end of 2009, the resources offered for the Azure Services Platform are ideal for developers to start building applications and services for the software giant's Cloud OS.

“If you’ve been putting off getting your head around Windows Azure and the Azure Services Platform, now’s the time. The team has just released a new drop of the Azure Services Training Kit comprising: 11 hands-on labs – including new hands-on labs for PHP and Native Code on Windows Azure; 18 demo scripts – designed to provide detailed walkthroughs of key features enabling someone to easily give a demo of a service, and; 9 presentations – used for Microsoft’s 3-day training workshops (complete with speaker notes),” explained Jim O'Neil, developer evangelist for Microsoft.

In March 2009, Windows Azure was updated concomitantly with the company's Internet-centric conference MIX09. Microsoft now has available for download the Windows Azure Software Development Kit (March 2009 CTP) and the Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio March 2009 CTP. Windows Azure was launched in October 2008 at the Professional Developers Conference in Los Angeles.

“The Azure Services Training Kit includes a comprehensive set of technical content including hands-on labs, presentations, and demos that are designed to help you learn how to use the Azure Services Platform. The April release includes the following updates: new Presentation for SQL Data Services; 2 additional hands-on labs for Windows Azure PHP and Native Code support,” explained Lamont Harrington, principal architect at Microsoft (Developer & Platform Evangelism Team).

Windows Azure Software Development Kit (March 2009 CTP) is available for download here.

Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio March 2009 CTP is available for download here.