Windows Azure Runs into a Little Tax Problem

Existing apps won't be affected for the moment but because of what it calls "changes in the local tax laws"

Aug. 8, 2009 03:00 PM

Like every other budding cloud merchant Microsoft had this idea about having data centers scattered around the country and letting users pick the geography where they wanted their apps to run.

Currently it offers US-Northwest, US-Southwest and US-Anywhere, with others still to come online.

However, it's going to be disabling its Northwest option in the next few weeks and barring new applications.

Existing apps won't be affected for the moment but because of what it calls "changes in the local tax laws" in its home state of Washington, it's going to migrate all applications and storage accounts elsewhere prior to Azure's commercial launch in November.

It will provide an automated tool ahead of the forced migration and if users don't pick up and move their apps and data will be deleted, Microsoft says.

See here.

Published Aug. 8, 2009— Reads 3,282
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About Maureen O'Gara
Maureen O'Gara the most read technology reporter for the past 20 years, is the Cloud Computing and Virtualization News Desk editor of SYS-CON Media. She is the publisher of famous "Billygrams" and the editor-in-chief of "Client/Server News" for more than a decade. One of the most respected technology reporters in the business, Maureen can be reached by email at maureen(at)sys-con.com or paperboy(at)g2news.com, and by phone at 516 759-7025. Twitter: @MaureenOGara

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