The move up from Version 4.2 includes the adoption of Azure Active Directory as the authentication of record, a new interface, Cloud Workspace Suite’s first app services, resource scheduling, server scaling and automatic server cloning.
Azure is the first Microsoft solution to be available as a preview from Microsoft datacenters in Toronto and Quebec City. General availability is scheduled for Q2, with Office 365 and Dynamics CRM Online to follow shortly after that.
In addition to the FlashBlade, which becomes Pure’s new high end offering, the company also introduced the FlashArray//m10, a new entry level extension, to its FlashArray//m family, as well as several new FlashStack converged infrastructure solutions.
Making SteelFusion a hybrid cloud solution should significantly expand partner opportunities, including the ability to sell it as a managed service.
The companies anticipate that the BlackBerry BES12 enterprise mobility management platform being tested and certified for Azure and available in Azure Marketplace will significantly increase its exposure and sales.
Microsoft Dynamics AX went into the cloud in its last release, but the newest one is completely native to Azure, designed to fully leverage the hyperscale cloud for the first time.
TechBlocks’ experience with the Azure platform and their having established a presence in IoT solutions leads Microsoft to pick them as a go-to IoT partner in Canada.
Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and Microsoft announce a cloud deal that will see the two “prefer” each other’s hybrid cloud offerings and more.
Sage sees the tighter integration with Microsoft platform as good news for Sage partners, and for Microsoft partners looking to benefit from Sage Live’s innovation.
Cisco adds new technology to Intercloud Fabric, and introduces new offerings from partners including Calgary’s Long View Systems.
How hyper-competitive NetSuite found an ally in a longtime rival as Microsoft transitions into a cloud-first, mobile-first company.
While the software giant is actively transforming itself into a cloud giant as well, its channel chief says partners need to take fuller advantage of what Microsoft can offer on this journey, and aggressively benchmark themselves in the transformation.
Azure becomes the first public cloud supported by Avamar outside the EMC federation.
Tech Data will bring its full StreamOne cloud, SaaS and app store to Canada in the next month as it continues to take the platform global.
The AWS integration follows up earlier ones with Azure and Google, to expand IndependenceIT’s reach and partner network.
Nutanix believes the ability to offer public cloud capacity, together with a more powerful appliance, will make them the go-to vendor for any enterprise converged infrastructure project.
Microsoft offers up new options for partners to control billing for customers using Microsoft cloud products, and introduces new cloud programs and support.
New backup appliances include the DL 1000, Dell’s first purpose-built for SMB, an area of strength for the Round Rock, Tex. vendor.
Microsoft claims great momentum for its Azure cloud offerings. But making it available to partners through open licensing should cause further acceleration.
With the Windows XP support deadline in the rear-view mirror, HP and Microsoft are turning their attention to the end of support for Windows Server 2003.
