After a long time position against and in retreat from cloud computing for some of them, every computing company seems now to turn to this solution, including Microsoft and SAP. Who knows the reason of this change ? Are they seizing the occasion to be in the trend or do they really believe in the power of Cloud Computing ? You never know.
Microsoft Azure and Cloud Division is the name which Microsoft has given to its cloud offer just gathered with the server division SCD. What can we think about it ? Well, if we believe Phil Wainewright, «... Windows Azure will become a kind of rest-home in the cloud where applications go, not to be rejuvenated, but merely to be made more comfortable in their declining years.» Indeed, it seems to be a step in the Microsoft Software & Services strategy, which aims at making cloud computing a simple extension of the historic Microsoft solutions. Remember that all solutions of Azure Cloud, absolutely all, are those used by Microsoft in its long environmental "legacy".
SAP Cloud Strategy. SAP entered the SaaS marketplace two years ago with its SAP Business ByDesign. But regarding results, it must be the biggest failure in SaaS over the last two years despite of huge investments. However, SAP has just announced it new strategy entitled "Clear Path forward" at the beginning of December during a great meeting. This strategy seems to aim at mixing ERP legacy solutions and Cloud reality, that is to say antagonistic elements. But, what has been kept in mind and what was highlighted by all participants is the similarity of Microsoft and SAP in the Cloud Computing field; is it a surprise ? Is it really a solution to try to transpose existing products in Cloud Computing ? It seems that Microsoft and SAP may not be entering the Cloud... or only for a half. SaaS providers can work peacefully.
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