Microsoft has melted the groups behind the Windows Server & Solutions and the Windows Azure Cloud platform into a single organization. Dubbed the Server & Cloud Division, the new Server & Tools Business unit which will jointly develop both the server-side and the Cloud-based flavors of what is essentially, at the core, Windows Sever. Microsoft referred to the move as a natural evolution designed to reflect the alignment of the company’s resources and strategy.

At the professional Developers Conference 2009 (PDC 2009) in Los Angeles, Microsoft announced the official launch of Windows Azure. Windows Server 2008 R2, formerly codenamed Windows 7 Server has already been available to customers, having RTM’d concomitantly with Windows 7, on July 22nd, 2009. The Redmond company notes that Windows Azure has evolved from being just a development project to a mainstream business, even though customers will only start paying money for the use of the Cloud OS as of February 2010.

“SCD will deliver solutions that help our customers realize even greater benefits from Microsoft’s investments in on-premises and cloud technologies. And the new division will help strengthen an already solid and extensive partner ecosystem,” revealed a member of the Windows Server team. &ld… (read more)