Windows Azure: Microsoft Seeks Cloud Suggestions

Microsoft Windows Azure Suggestions

So far, the biggest (i.e., most popular) idea has budget-conscious customers in mind. More than 1,400 people have called on Microsoft to make it less expensive to run a very small service on Windows Azure. The second most-requested item pushes Microsoft to continue offering Azure free to Developers. Clearly, a good number of potential Azure users have pricing on their mind.

Still, Azure feedback is all over the map. As Mary Jo Foley notes over at All About Microsoft, the comment threads are full of people complaining about everything from Microsoft’s purportedly deceptive pricing metrics to a lack of options for developers who merely wish to tinker. Most of the other topics take the form of feature requests, and of the top-voted posts, only one – “Support Secondary Indexes” – has been officially confirmed as coming (and it had been announced at PDC).

Critical Mass?

Of course, feedback forums can turn negative quickly — since dissatisfied users are often the most vocal. But it’s good to see Microsoft seeking direction from the fledgling Azure community.

Heading up to the February 1 launch, plenty of ISVs have jumped on the Azure bandwagon — everyone from Intuit to SugarCRM. And Microsoft is on the road educating customers and partners about Azure.

Even so, it remains to be seem how many VARs and customers will jump on the bandwagon, too.