Microsoft Combines Windows Server, Azure In New Division
The SCD becomes part of Microsoft's Server & Tools Business Unit (STB) and reflects Azure's maturation from "an advanced development project to a mainstream business," Microsoft said in a post to the Windows Server Division blog.
SCD's raison d'etre is to enable Microsoft to "deliver solutions that help our customers realize even greater benefits from Microsoft's investments in on-premises and cloud technologies," according to the blog post.
Microsoft also outlined several organizational changes that arise from its creation of the SCD. Leadership of the Windows Azure development team will shift from Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie to STB President Bob Muglia. Amitabh Srivastava, Microsoft senior vice president, will lead the SCD and report to Muglia.
Bill Laing, corporate vice president of the Windows Server & Solutions Division, will report to Srivastava. Doug Hauger, who heads up the Windows Azure business and marketing team, will join the Server and Tools Marketing Group and report to Microsoft Corporate Vice President Bob Kelly, who oversees marketing for Windows Server, System Center, and Forefront.
Microsoft will launch Azure on Jan. 1 and begin charging customers on Feb. 1.