Cost For Cloud Revealed By Microsoft

Microsoft plans to aggressively complete for business in the cloud computing arena--providing enterprise level computing/software products online through a project called Windows Azure. The company announced some of its pricing schematics for its online services which will allow customers to pay for such services on a metered basis. In a statement from its analysts , Microsoft said it plans to go "toe to toe with cloud providers." Initial pricing schemes will target independent software developers. Developers will be able to use Azure to build new applications--with special incentives for web software designers and developers who sign up early.