PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Open Data Center Alliance (ODCA) today announced that Microsoft Corp., a global leader in cloud service and data center solution delivery, has joined the organization as a contributor member.  With Windows Azure, its industry leading cloud platform, and leadership in enterprise software delivery, Microsoft brings a valuable perspective to the organization and is expected to contribute immediately to the Alliance's mission.  The ODCA's current membership is comprised of hundreds of corporations spanning the globe working collaboratively towards shaping the future of the enterprise ready cloud based on industry standard solutions.  The organization aims to be a voice for enterprise IT in articulating the requirements for the transforming enterprise IT landscape with focus on topics including open, interoperable delivery of compute infrastructure as a service, cloud security, and best practices for adoption of big data analytics.

"The ODCA brings together leaders from across industries to work together towards a vision of open, industry standard cloud solution delivery," said Mario Mueller, BMW's Vice President of IT Infrastructure and Chair of the Alliance. "In order to truly accelerate availability of cloud services, enterprise IT needs to work closely with cloud service and solution providers.  Microsoft's participation is a valuable addition to the organization's mission, and we heartily welcome their membership."

"In line with Windows Azure's commitment to openness and interoperability, we are pleased to join ODCA and work with industry leadership on standards for the cloud," said Bill Hilf, general manager, Windows Azure. "We are dedicated to serving the industry and customers by providing an open, reliable and global approach to the cloud, and we look forward to contributing to the ODCA's mission."

The Announcement follows a series of Master Usage Model publications from the organization focused on requirements for compute infrastructure as a service, a leading focus of enterprise adoption of cloud solutions in 2013.  These usage models and other Alliance developments will be discussed at the organization's upcoming Forecast 2013 conference scheduled for June 17-18 in San Francisco aligned with Forecast's premier media sponsor Giga-Om's Structure conference.  Information about Alliance publications, Forecast conference details, and discounted registration can be found at the organization's website: www.opendatacenteralliance.org. Latest developments from the Alliance can also be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, Slideshare, Twitter, and YouTube.

About The Open Data Center Alliance
The Open Data Center Alliance(SM) is an independent IT consortium comprised of global IT leaders who have come together to provide a unified customer vision for long-term data center requirements. The Alliance is led by a twelve member steering committee which includes IT leaders BMW, Capgemini, China Unicom, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Marriott International, Inc., National Australia Bank, NTT Data, T-Systems, Terremark, Disney Technology Solutions and Services, and UBS. Intel serves as technical advisor to the Alliance.

In support of its mission, the Alliance has delivered the first customer requirements for cloud computing and big data documented in Open Data Center Usage Models which identify member prioritized requirements to resolve the most pressing challenges facing cloud adoption. Find out more at www.opendatacenteralliance.org.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Russ DeVeau
Open Data Center Alliance
russ@mail.opendatacenteralliance.org 
Mobile/Text: 908-251-1549

SOURCE Open Data Center Alliance