Microsoft and Dell have been long-time partners - Dell as one of the largest PC makers that ships Windows in its systems and Microsoft as the provider and developer of software both in the enterprise and the consumer market. Recently, the two major companies have jointly announced the launch of the Cloud Platform System Standard - a new package of Microsoft's Cloud software designed for purpose-built Dell hardware for on-premises data centers of companies.
The announcement of the new Cloud Platform System Standard comes right after a year after the two market leaders introduced the Cloud Platform System Premium software that is being powered by Dell infrastructure. The Cloud Platform system is actually a smaller version of Dell's and Microsoft's cloud-in-a-box offering.
This is a model that big-named companies such as HP, Cisco and Oracle are pushing in the Information Technology industry. According to Dell and Microsoft, their system is different as it runs on the same software stack that Microsoft has been using in its public cloud to make it easier for the companies' on-premises and cloud components work together.
The new Cloud Platform System Standard bundle features Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2, System Center 2012 R2 and Windows Azure Pack. Dell's Cloud Manager software is also on board to enable deployment and enterprise-class applications across Cloud storage systems. The Dell hardware runs on features PowerEdge servers that are able to run as many as 400 virtual machines and a pair of top-of-rack switches.
Customers that want to avail the Cloud Platform System Standard can rent it from Dell for US$9,000 a month. The bundle includes a Dell PowerEdge C6320 Rack Server, two top of rack switches, and 64 terabytes of storage. After the duration, companies will be able to buy the infrastructures outright, return the system or extend the same payment scheme for another six months.
