Data Backup Digest

While Microsoft Azure continues to gain popularity, the research team with Microsoft continues to introduce new features and functionality designed at bolstering connectivity, streamlining access and strengthening customer service. As such, it should come as no surprise that their latest endeavor is focused on the Internet of Things and the billions of devices that it currently incorporates.

Thanks to a new collaboration, developers will have direct access to software development kits associated with Microsoft Azure IoT Suite. The new SDKs will support the use of the ARM mbed Enabled Freescale FRDM-K64F boards, which is credited as the very first ARM mbed board to receive Microsoft Azure Certification.

In that regard, Microsoft has established a dedicated certification program, known as Azure Certified for IoT. This program is designed to test and verify IoT-specific services, devices and systems in order to ensure compliance through Microsoft Azure.

Barb Edson, general manager of the Data Platform and IoT divisions of Microsoft, spoke about the need for increased functionality and efficiency in Azure IoT Suite. She was quoted as saying: “Microsoft Azure IoT Suite helps enterprises capture and analyze untapped data to create new intelligence. Built on the Microsoft Cloud Platform, Azure IoT Suite integrates a business' existing processes, devices and systems. Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT helps companies to quickly implement the right hardware and software through verified interoperability for these devices, including the ARM mbed Enabled Freescale FRDM-K64F board.”

Moreover, Microsoft will partner with a number of companies, including ARM and Freescale as well as Intel and Texas Instruments in order to spearhead the development of future IoT services and products. Given the current state of the IoT, as well as its potential in coming years, Microsoft is certainly getting a head start over their competitors.

Krisztian Flautner, general manager of IoT business with ARM, spoke enthusiastically about the new partnership by saying: “The collaboration with Microsoft is testament to the growing influence of the ARM mbed IoT Device Platform. Today's certification of the mbed Enabled Freescale FRDM-K64F board links our technology directly into Microsoft's public cloud platform. The connection into a powerful analytics platform will allow product developers to offer valuable new big data services at scale.”

Officials with Freescale Semiconductor shared the optimism seen in Microsoft and ARM. Emmanuel Sambuis, director of MCU solutions with Freescale, said: “Freescale is leading the way in developing IoT solutions featuring our Kinetis MCUs and other IoT-ready silicon deployed with the mbed OS and ready for connectivity to Microsoft Azure's world class cloud computing platform. Freescale is pleased for its FRDM-K64F board to be Microsoft Azure Certified for IoT.”

The Microsoft Azure IoT Suite was originally launched in March of 2015, and it has already seen a number of highly useful upgrades and improvements during its short lifespan. For more information regarding Microsoft, their Azure cloud platform, the Microsoft Azure IoT Suite or any of their other products or services, please visit their official website at www.microsoft.com.