Microsoft launches Office 365 and Azure Cloud in China

On November 1st, Microsoft announced the launch of Office 365 and public cloud platform Windows Azure in China.

Microsoft is delivering to China its products for many years, this is going to be a step forward for both the Chinese customers to be able to move to the cloud and for Microsoft to have the opportunity to grow further due to the strong demand for public cloud services in China, according to a Forrest Research report on cloud computing.

Doug Hauger, General Manager, Microsoft Server and Tools Division comments:

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the municipality of Shanghai; and we have signed a landmark agreement to license Microsoft technologies to 21Vianet, who will offer Windows Azure services in China from local datacenters. This will meet the demands of customers in China.

We’re excited to soon be able to satisfy the enormous appetite in China for a public cloud platform with the security and reliability features that customers demand from Microsoft.  A recent Forrester Research report on cloud computing (Forrester Research, Sizing The Cloud Markets In Asia Pacific, Feb. 3, 2012) found that the public cloud market in China will grow from $297 million in 2011 to $3.8 billion in 2020. With today’s announcement, Windows Azure is well positioned to have a strong presence in China and to serve local businesses seeking to take advantage of the cloud on their terms.