Slated for launch in the second quarter of 2009, Microsoft's Windows Azure cloud-based development environment will lower the barrier to entry for channel partners to offer Microsoft enterprise applications, many partners believe.
Adam Smith, director of marketing at Phase 2 International, a Honolulu, Hawaii-based solution provider, expects Windows Azure to eclipse the market share of Google's App Engine in 2009, and then overtake Amazon Web Services in 2010.
"We feel that Microsoft will have to do strong outreach and marketing to the development community to make this a reality," Smith explains. "They'll also need to signal that they are committed to this effort to inspire people to develop on this platform."
