Microsoft's Windows Azure Blob Storage:

Of course, everyone knows Windows Azure is Microsoft’s cloud storage service. This cloud platform was mainly used to build, deploy and manage applications through a global network of Microsoft-managed datacenters. Windows Azure allows for applications to be built using many different programming languages, tools or frameworks and makes it possible for developers to integrate their public cloud applications in their existing IT environment. The offerings don’t end up there as it offers Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) services.

According to Gartner, the Windows Azure Blob Storage may be the second most widely-used cloud storage service. Microsoft already has stated that they have been seeing a 200 percent growth. BLOB storage service supports object storage, table storage, SQL Server and content delivery network (CDN).

When it comes to the price tag, last year Amazon and Microsoft along with Google were seen continuously dropping their cloud service prices. Gartner calls Microsoft a “fast-follower” as they have been continuously challenging Amazon with top-notch services. Also recently Microsoft has boosted its storage space facility with the acquisition of storage gateway vendor StorSimple.

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