Microsoft-HP aim high with cloud

Two of the biggest names in computing, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, have announced a $250 million (£155m), three-year partnership to provide businesses with 'cloud computing' storage facilities.

Cloud computing, a much talked about concept in the sector for some time, allows companies to store applications and data online, offering an easier and more cost-effective storage facility.

Although cloud computing has long been expected to revolutionise business computing, the popularity and take-up of current services has been slower than expected.

Bob Muglia, Microsoft's head of server and tools business, said: "The cloud is a significant inflection point in how our customers will be building their next generation applications.

"We (Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard) have decided to double down and commit to building the next generation architecture."

The two companies will aim to draw on their positions as the world's top software and PC manufacturers to provide server systems which support the new technology.

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