Microsoft, PC makers set up Azure clouds

SEATTLE (AP) - Microsoft is teaming up with computer makers to try to make its Windows Azure cloud computing system attractive to government and big corporate customers.

In recent years, companies have started to use technology called virtualization, which can let one physical server computer act as several. That cuts costs for hardware, energy use and the labor needed to oversee large data centers.

Cloud computing systems build on that trend. Instead of having to own and operate all those servers, companies can outsource data center management.

Microsoft Corp. says PC makers Dell Inc., Hewlett-Packard Co. and Japan’s Fujitsu have set up networks of servers in their own data centers running Azure. Now the PC makers, which also do technology consulting, can add cloud computing to their menu of services.

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