Microsoft cloud surpasses 31,000 customers

Thursday, February 03, 2011

One year after the launch of Microsoft's Windows Azure, the software giant announced its cloud computing platform now supports more than 31,000 customers, the Seattle Times reports.

According to the news provider, early last year Azure deployments were more often performed by small- and medium-sized businesses looking to outsource their server infrastructures and computational needs. However, as the year went on, larger companies, including Travelocity and Xerox, jumped on to Microsoft's cloud platform.

Since July, Azure's customer population has increased 55 percent from 21,000, the Seattle Times noted.

"One of the things we’re seeing is cloud computing is moving away from a buzz word to chest beating to something with real business benefits," said Microsoft's server and tools business general manager Amy Barzdukas.

Microsoft's announcement is a testament to the increased cloud adoption among businesses worldwide. According to a recent study by Osterman Research, 54 percent of respondents indicated they currently use or plan to use a public cloud to outsource IT services.