Gallery: Microsoft takes wraps off Windows Azure

Microsoft's chief software architect Ray Ozzie takes the stage.

Server and Tools senior VP Bob Muglia talks about the benefits to businesses of Windows Azure.

Credit: Robert Vamosi

Microsoft's Dave Thompson tells attendees at the Professional Developer Conference that all of the company's enterprise software will be offered as an online service over time.

Credit: Robert Vamosi

Microsoft's cloud computing team discusses how a common set of tools can be used for developing applications for traditional Windows as well as for Windows Azure.

Credit: Robert Vamosi

One of the biggest challenges in business software, whether it lives inside a company or is part of a hosted service, is making sure that only properly authorized employees have access to the data and applications. Microsoft discusses how its Federated Identity platform will work with the new hosted services.

Credit: Robert Vamosi

The center of the universe, Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

Manage services not servers.

You can test and debug locally. Then choose publish option. It packages your app. then takes your to Azure dev portal.

Screenshot of the Bluehoo.com dashboard for monitoring service performance.

Credit: Robert Vamosi