With the cloud hanging over all of us, Microsoft (quite unsurprisingly), joined the bandwagon. The Microsoft Azure, expected to go full blast from February 2010, is a platform (and service) that promises to make cloud based developed a breeze for developers.

The major features of the Microsoft Azure are -1. A familiar development experience, on demand scalability and reduced time to the market for the web apps. The platform integrates the SQL Azure Data Sync and the App Fabric. The SQL Azure enables the developers to Llink existing on-premises SQL Servers to the SQL Azure and create new applications in Windows Azure without abandoning existing on-premises applications. The App Fabric SDK provides API libraries, tools, samples, and documentation for building connected apps with the .NET framework. A couple of apps that are developed on the Azure Framework, include Twitri.com and Myimpluselive.com.

Image Source: Whitepaper “Introducing the Microsoft Azure”

If and when it is live and running, the MS Azure will act as a significant boost, especially for small scale developers and start ups with big dreams as the solution will cut down both the set-up and maintenance costs as well as considerably reduce the reaching the market time.