Microsoft Partners With Rival For Big Data Support

Canonical has positioned itself in the technology world as an enemy of Microsoft. The company is working to push its operating system, Ubuntu Linux, as a replacement to Microsoft Windows. But while the companies may not be a likely pair, reports emerged Tuesday (May 12) that they are actually teaming up to develop supportive infrastructure for the Internet of Things.

The developer of the open source platform Ubuntu is considered advantageous in the IoT market with its “Snappy Core” Ubuntu system. Companies including Microsoft, Acer and DataArt will reportedly use the system to act as the nerve center for IoT devices. Specifically, Ubuntu will use DataArt’s machine-to-machine communication capabilities to receive data on the Ubuntu OpenStack cloud. Microsoft’s Azure platform will connect smart devices to the back-end operations of Big Data.

According to reports, Ubuntu Snappy Core is Ubuntu’s smallest and most secure version, making it perfect for IoT connections. The company has been working to strengthen its position on smart devices other than the computer, and in doing so is working against Microsoft.

“Snappy is an amazing platform for the new generation of cloud and device developers,” said Canonical’s VP of IoT Maarten Ectors in a statement. “The combination of an open platform with an app store that works across devices, from tiny embedded boards to high end switches and routers, has stimulated creativity in the maker and entrepreneur communities.”

He added that the next phase in Canonical’s IoT journey is to commercialize these IoT capabilities, and partnering with Microsoft and other firms is part of that effort.

In recent months, Microsoft has made its own moves to gain a lead in the IoT. Just weeks ago the company revealed new cloud computing capabilities for Azure to include data storage services aimed squarely at business use. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has publicly declared today to be the dawn of Software-as-a-Service, and an age where businesses demand smart technologies tools to adapt to the IoT.