Microsoft shows off its cloud computing solutions at Worldwide Partner Conference 2011, with a focus on how its partners went through the transition towards cloud-based solutions. 

Now Microsoft partners can also sell their applications (and reach more customers) via the Windows Azure Marketplace-- with a Microsoft-commissioned study saying partners deploying solutions on Azure generate 20% - 250% more revenue through entirely new customers. 

eBay, Fujitsu and HP deliver turnkey cloud services in their datacenters through the Azure platform appliance.  Read more...

15 service providers unite to launch the UK Cloud Alliance, aiming to get businesses to buy cloud computing services from local partners on local infrastructure. 

Leading the initiative is communications reseller Star, together with PlanB, Pythagoras, Concentra, Digirati, GlassHouse Technologies, Itica, Modern Networks, NewVoiceMedia, Nexus, Maindec, redstor, Total, Ubertas and LinuxIT. 

Members have a code of conduct promising "transparency and guiding principles to guarantee the customer’s best interests", together with Service Level Agreements. Se Read more...

Capgemini reports 83% of organisations taking part in its Annual World Quality Report recognise the need for rationalisation of their application portfolios, while any outdated technology requires revision and updates.  

Thus the report shows how 42% of participating companies are planning to increase their QA and testing budgets. 

The percentage of global survey participants taking at least part of their IT systems to the crowd reaches 81%-- with 82% of W. and N. European companies showing at least interest in cloud migration. 

Capgemini says that Read more...

OnLive and Juniper Networks announce their partnership in enterprise cloud-based service development, with Juniper providing the hardware for OnLive's network infrastructure. 

OnLive is best known for its on-demand video games and applications services. 

The partnership's first entry will be in the remote desktop field, which will incorporate OnLive's video compression technology and Juniper's Junos Pulse client-- a solution the companies say will "be indistinguishable from a local one".

The technology should work on any number of devices-- from PCs Read more...