BANGALORE: Microsoft on Friday announced the launch of a Trade-In scheme for small and medium businesses (SMBs) which gives them opportunity to exchange legacy hardware for Windows Azure.

Through this scheme customers can sell their legacy hardware with the option to use the proceeds towards obtaining monthly credit on Windows Azure, based on an upfront initial commitment, the company officials said.

Windows Azure is an open and flexible platform on the cloud that allows users to build, deploy and manage applications on the Microsoft managed data centre, Microsoft India General Manager (SMB) Meetul Patel told reporters.

“Once SMBs have opted for windows Azure usage based on the exchange value of their legacy hardware they will be able to work with any of Microsoft’s Azure circle partners to migrate and expand their infrastructure on Windows Azure.”

He said: “with the new Trade-in scheme, SMBs will now have the opportunity to jumpstart their transaction to the cloud and reap significant benefits.”

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