Microsoft’s Cloud Services – Pretty Impressive

The Windows Azure Platform is Microsoft’s general purpose cloud computing platform that, because of its flexibility, scalability, and choice, is catered mainly to software developers.

I recently assisted a client in setting up and conducting an extensive Proof of Concept (PoC) for both the Windows and SQL Azure components of this framework with AppFabric being a possibility in the mid to-long-term (re: Q2/Q3 2011.)

The client’s desire was to test the feasibility, continuity, functionality, and performance of having database instances and proprietary applications ran from a Microsoft data center.

The initial setup could not have been much easier. After selecting one of the flexible pricing plans, all it took was giving the billing and account/service management information and away you go. The client decided on the Introductory Special (1 calendar month), and will use the PoC usage results of the introductory period (while paying overage charges if any are incurred) as a starting point/baseline to determine which plan will be selected if they do choose to migrate to production.

Below are my thoughts regarding Azure during this PoC.

POSITIVES:

SQL Azure has a very easy built in GUI firewall to help ensure security
SQL Azure takes care of much of the management of the database for you, including how to manage the underlying data files (re: your Create Database statements can be very simple.)
Did not experience any connectivity or performance issues thus far (2+ weeks of testing)
Creating the hosted services and storage for applications is very intuitive
Deploying applications from local environment to hosts is relatively easy and includes a STAGING environment
MS created a Platform Training Kit to assist in the learning curve
Excellent Billing and Usage reports / portals

NEGATIVES:

SQL Azure development Storage needs a tweak for non-SQL Express instances (need Windows Azure SDK installed)
No Data Centers (DCs) in the Western Region of US to select from at this time. Nearest was North Central US.
Platform is not currently industry certified, but Microsoft states that they are in the works (ISO27001
While deploying applications is relatively easy, it does seem to take quite a while to upload
Migration path could be a sticky proposition, fresh applkication development on the platform could be the better bet

In summary, while Microsoft has been somewhat late to step into this ‘cloud game’, I feel they have once again properly waited, watched, and learned from the early-to-market companies (and most likely adroitly acquired key Intellectual Property) and have put forth a very appealing cloud offering.

Next week I will be starting a comparative analysis of pricing plans for all cloud services providers using the PoC usage statistics to date.

I would love to hear about your experience(s) with this platform.

– TASCer