The primary dialogue on cloud computing revolves around moving to the cloud. Today we announced a strategic alliance with AT&T to bring cloud computing to customers. This partnership will empower customers to access Windows Azure as a logical extension of their existing data centers. The joint solution will provide additional security benefits, reduced latencies and faster data transfers.

According to industry analyst firm Forrester, 70% of multinational enterprises have already adopted global MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) services.  These high-performance networks make it easy to create secure, virtual links between customer data centers across the globe.  Together with AT&T, we will offer customers the ability to connect to Windows Azure using their existing MPLS VPNs.  Working with AT&T enables us to offer this solution to a broad set of customers, given AT&T’s leadership position in the space.  

A growing number of enterprise customers are looking for an even tighter connection with public cloud providers, to the point where the lines blur between public cloud and on-premises data  centers. Today’s announcement along with our existing offering Windows Azure Virtual Network, gives customers multiple options for connecting to Windows Azure.

We look forward to bringing this solution to the market in the coming months and will share additional details right here on the Windows Azure Blog.  We would love to hear your feedback on today’s announcement on Twitter at @WindowsAzure.