Microsoft Data Centers Blog

In a post last month, I shared some new details about how Microsoft focuses on the use of software to engineer resiliency into our global network of cloud-scale data centers. I explained the fundamental shift we’ve made to viewing data centers through a systems integrator model, where we look at every aspect of the physical and operational environment as a component of an integrated system to drive continual improvement in performance, efficiency and service availability. By sharing the responsibility for service availability – from development to data center – we’re breaking down the silos that traditionally separate IT engineering activities, allowing Microsoft to define the data center environment as a converged ecosystem delivering improved reliability of our services and more satisfied customers. Read More >>

Operating and maintaining the infrastructure behind Microsoft’s huge cloud is a mission critical endeavor. With over 200 cloud services, including Bing, Office 365, Skype, SkyDrive, Xbox Live, and the Windows Azure platform running in our data centers, the Global Foundation Services’ (GFS) team is a key component in delivering the highly available experience our customers expect from the cloud. To do this effectively, we’re continuously evolving our operational strategies to drive quality and efficiency up while lowering costs and increasing overall value to our customers. Read More >>

Many of us spend time reflecting this time of year. At least I do. And while there are certainly times we need to evaluate, learn, and grow from the various challenges we face, at year’s end I like to celebrate the positives and remember all the hard work our extended teams contributed to make them possible. I’d like to share a list of some of the big moments from my perspective – through the lens of the support the Global Foundation Services’ team provided to manage Microsoft’s growing cloud infrastructure. These were big moments in how they influenced our business and the lasting impact they will have on the company. Read More >>

Microsoft is excited to announce its research and development of the first zero carbon data center – called the Data Plant – that will be completely independent of the grid and will recycle common waste bi-products to sustainably power cloud services. Microsoft has been committed to developing more efficient and sustainable data center infrastructures that support our customers’ growing demand for online services since 1994. Read More >>

Microsoft Office 365 to improve EPA’s access to communications and mobility tools. Today Lockheed Martin joined Microsoft in announcing receipt of a $9.8 million contract to migrate the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to Microsoft Office 365 for Government, our new multi-tenant service that stores U.S. government data in a segregated community cloud and includes e-mail, calendars, scheduling and collaboration tools for internal and external use. Read More >>