Microsoft launches public cloud services from local data centres

Redmond-based technology firm Microsoft on Tuesday launched its public cloud services from local data centres which will aid business and organisations to fuel inclusive growth and spur innovation.

As a part of the new launch, Microsoft will inaugurate three data centres - Chennai, Pune and Mumbai - in the country. The new centres will start operations after the facility is inaugurated by the respective chief ministers - J Jayalalithaa and Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday.

Market research firm Gartner claims the public cloud market will be at $2 billion by 2018.

"More organisations and governments will adopt the public cloud which will open up more opportunities for Microsoft," Tyler Bryson, general manager, marketing and operations, Microsoft India, said explaining the launch.

"Enterprise-grade performance, flexibility and hybrid capability, openness and trustworthiness are differentiating factors of the Microsoft cloud. In addition, comprehensive higher-level business services enable new business possibilities for customers," he added.

A public cloud is based on the standard cloud computing model, in which a service provider makes resources, such as applications and storage, available to the general public over the internet.

Public cloud services may be free or offered on a pay-per-usage model.