HPE, Microsoft Combine Forces For Cloud Adoption

HPE, one part of the now-split Hewlett Packard, and Microsoft are teaming up to promote hybrid cloud adoption among their joint clients.

Reports Friday (Dec. 2) said the two technology giants have announced a collaboration to streamline the adoption of hybrid IT and reduce friction for its users. Microsoft’s Azure platform will combine with HPE infrastructure and services, reports said, to introduce a new program of service offerings for joint customers.

Their joint initiative was announced by Microsoft Executive Vice President of Cloud and Enterprise Scott Guthrie and HPE Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Enterprise Group Antonio Neri. They revealed the plans at the Discover London 2016 event.

In a blog post, HPE Director of Cloud Solutions Marketing Ken Won also remarked on the venture.

“Our two companies have a shared, common vision for hybrid cloud computing and, in the past year, have made progress towards blending the power of Azure with HPE’s leading infrastructure, support and services to make the cloud more accessible to enterprises around the globe,” he wrote.

Moving forward, Azure will be used as the preferred public cloud partner for HPE’s corporate customers. Similarly, Microsoft will point its clients to HPE’s infrastructure and services when providing customers with cloud solutions. In the future, the companies said they plan to integrate their services as well, according to reports.

Their announcement also revealed the launch of HPE Consulting for Azure Hybrid Cloud services, enabling corporate clients to more easily implement Azure and HPE solutions. Microsoft Operations Management Suite will integrate into HPE OneView, offering a single platform through which joint clients can access their hybrid clouds.

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced that its corporate accounting service, Dynamics AX, would be moved to Azure and operate entirely on the cloud, a move analysts said represented a big leap of faith on Microsoft’s part for enterprise cloud solutions.