Microsoft Unveils New Partnership to Bring Oracle Cloud Hardware to Azure Datacenters

Cloud Computing

Key takeaways:

  • Microsoft and Oracle strengthen their partnership with Oracle Database@Azure, making Microsoft Azure the sole platform for Oracle’s database services.
  • This collaboration offers organizations the opportunity to expedite AI model training by providing seamless access to data stored in Oracle databases.
  • The service initially launches in select regions, with Microsoft and Oracle aiming to expand its availability worldwide.

Microsoft is expanding its existing partnership with Oracle, one that has the potential to reshape how businesses harness the power of data and artificial intelligence (AI). This move aims to provide enterprise customers with easier access to Oracle’s database services, hosted on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and deployed within Microsoft Azure data centers.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the expanded partnership will make Microsoft Azure the only cloud provider to run Oracle’s database services. The collaboration between the companies should help to move more Oracle customers to the cloud. It will let organizations speed up the process of training AI models with data that resides in Oracle databases.

“We have a real opportunity to help organizations bring their mission-critical applications to the cloud so they can transform every part of their business with this next generation of AI,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft. “Our expanded partnership with Oracle will make Microsoft Azure the only other cloud provider to run Oracle’s database services and help our customers unlock a new wave of cloud-powered innovation.”

Microsoft Unveils New Partnership to Bring Oracle Cloud Hardware to Azure Datacenters

At the moment, the Oracle Database@Azure solution supports various existing Oracle database services. The list includes Oracle Real Application Clusters, Oracle Autonomous Database services, Oracle Exadata Database services, and more. Microsoft and Oracle have committed to providing quick resolution for mission-critical workloads.

Oracle Database@Azure to launch in the US, UK, and Germany in early 2024

Microsoft notes that users will be able to buy Oracle Database@Azure through Azure Marketplace. It’s also possible for customers to use the benefits of existing Oracle Database licensing. However, Oracle will be responsible for operating and managing the service within Microsoft’s data centers worldwide.

Microsoft highlighted that Oracle Database@Azure has helped Pepsi Co and Vodafone to improve their operations. Meanwhile, the company plans to make the service available to Azure customers based in the US, UK, and Germany in early 2024. Oracle has also committed to gradually expanding its availability to customers worldwide.