Here’s a 3-part Webcast series designed to help you understand the value, implications and first steps for adopting Azure’s Cloud business model. Consider attending these live sessions for the live question-and-answer opportunity.

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The Business Case for Azure (Part 1) – Jan. 12, 1pm CST

Objective:  provide an understanding of why Software as a Service is a compelling business model for today's  ISVs and how Windows Azure can be a key enabler for ISVs considering the adoption of Cloud Technologies. This session will review the economics as well as the business and technical drivers for adopting Cloud Computing. Attendees will be exposed to the impact of the Windows Azure (Platform as a Service) on balancing Capital and Operating expenses, extending market reach and innovating whether the goal is to develop new application services or extend existing applications. Different patterns of cloud computing will be compared and contrasted as well as a an overview of the application scenarios for developing software for the cloud.

Understanding Implications of the Cloud (Part 2) – Jan. 19, 1pm CST

Objective: review implications for adopting Cloud Computing as a core pillar of a go to market strategy. This webinar will provide an understanding of what ISVs face relative to change management challenges and implications for their current business models. This session will discuss the multitude of factors that must be fully understood to successfully adopt a Cloud Strategy. These include presenting the legal, architectural, economic and operational ramifications for an ISV. This session will explore the business model evolution, implications on the software engineering processes and examples of software architecture patterns on Windows Azure. Examples include evolution of licensing models, support and SLA considerations, customer focused development, and deploying a cloud application services to customers.

Easing (Leaping) Into the Cloud (Part 3) – Jan. 26, 1pm CST

Objective: introduce a decision making framework - based on real world experience -  for rationally adopting Windows Azure as a core element of an application architecture. Topics include best practices on how to get started, envisioning potential new services, determining ROI/TCO, and working through application selection to achieve early success.  The approach examines the multiple dimensions of economic modeling and TCO, Cloud Fit Analysis and the impact of Azure on support and operations. Real world case studies will be presented highlighting the steps for successful adoption of Windows Azure.