An open window to the ... cloud in the sky

Windows Azure was just announced by Ray Ozzie during the PDC keynote, signaling the entry into the public stage of a major shift in the Microsoft Platform. The tremendous expertise acquired by Microsoft when building and operating services like MSN, MSDN, Windows Update, and many more, has been morphed into a major technology and platform release named Windows Azure.

On top of Azure, one can find a lot of services like Live Services, .NET Services (containing also the former BizTalk Services), SQL Services, SharePoint Services, and Dynamics CRM Services. As expected, Microsoft itself places a major bet on the Azure Services Platform with stuff like Windows Live, Office Live, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Dynamics CRM Online.

And guess what? Yes, all PDC attendees will get their hands on the Azure Services Platform CTP, specially released for the PDC.

Well, I have to admit I'm very excited right now, sitting at the PDC keynote and watching (dare I say it?) history in the making. The technology looks awesome!! But, as someone said these days, "head in the cloud, feet on the ground". Technology is great, but it's not enough. Time will show if the "clouds" accumulating over the IT industry are here to stay :) or they'll be blown away by the first breeze :)

More on this stuff later ... time for some cool demos.