Previous TechQuest: Microsoft

Overview

Cloud computing is here. Running applications on machines in an internet-accessible data center can bring plenty of advantages. Yet wherever they run, applications are built on some kind of platform. For on-premises applications, this platform usually includes an operating system, some way to store data, and perhaps more. Applications running in the cloud need a similar foundation. The goal of Microsoft’s Windows Azure is to provide this foundation. Part of the larger Windows Azure platform, Windows Azure is a platform for running Windows applications and storing data in the cloud.

Windows Azure™ is a cloud services operating system that serves as the development, service hosting and service management environment for the Windows Azure platform. Windows Azure provides developers with on-demand compute and storage to host, scale, and manage web applications on the internet through Microsoft® datacenters.

Request

The Microsoft U.S. Local Government team is seeking software applications that run in the Windows Azure cloud. Successful applications will provide innovative solutions for local and state government organizations, and must be built on the Windows Azuretm Platform. Solutions should address current challenges faced by local government entities and should clearly demonstrate the value of utilizing cloud-based strategies. Applications that enhance the Cloud experience, enable other applications to be brought to the Cloud, or otherwise support superior Cloud performance will also be considered. Finalists will meet with senior Microsoft team members. Finalists will also participate in the August Local and State Partners Conference in Dallas where the successful applications will be announced to the press and the Microsoft team. Further Microsoft support to the successful companies or individual developers will include introductions to customers and partners. Finalists also will meet with representatives of the Microsoft Innovation Team to explore additional opportunities for potential strategic partnership and investment.

Special Assistance

To build applications and services on Windows Azure, developers can use their existing Microsoft Visual Studio® expertise. In addition, Windows Azure supports popular standards and protocols including SOAP, REST, XML, and PHP. Windows Azure SDKs will be provided to TechQuest applicants and special training sessions will be provided to applicants as well.  To learn more, please visit this link. (This challenge is from The Code Project, an independent third-party company not affiliated with Microsoft, and is not a Microsoft offering.)

The Windows Azure™ Platform is a simple, reliable, and powerful platform for the creation of web applications and services. Windows Azure empowers Microsoft partners to embrace the services model in focusing on their competitive differentiators and expanding their business.

Accelerated Development

Inspherion Corporation, a Dallas-based Azure application services platform company, helps developers implement their innovative Azure applications dramatically faster and with fewer resources. Using Inspherion's Enterprise Application Services Engine (EASE™), developers can use pre-built software templates, business rules, and workflow patterns for application configuration rather than writing custom code. This allows applications to be developed in hours and days, as opposed to weeks and months. As a result, developers can take their applications from concept to market-ready before the TechQuest deadline.

Inspherion EASE platform is pre-integrated with Azure and therefore allows application developers to easily custom configure their multi-tenanted application services, and deliver their applications to multiple customers on the Windows Azure platform. As an MTBC member, Inspherion is offering fellow MTBC members a special discount on its services for the Microsoft TechQuest initiative.