Fujitsu Ltd. will launch a cloud computing service in August using a platform powered by Microsoft Corp., enabling corporate customers to cut the costs of their data operations management, the companies said Tuesday.
Under a global strategic partnership the two companies concluded last year, the service will be offered by combining Fujitsu's hardware such as servers and storage with Microsoft's Windows Azure platform, they said.
The leading Japanese computer manufacturer said it aims to offer the service to 400 big companies and 5,000 small and medium-size firms and software companies in Japan in the first five years after launch.
The platform will be operated from Fujitsu's data center in Tatebayashi, Gunma Prefecture, allowing customers to have timely access to the center when necessary and reduce network delays, the two firms said.
Fujitsu said it will offer various services to meet customer needs, such as setting up a Japanese-language support desk that will be available 24 hours a day.
"We can offer a value-added service which customers in Japan can access easily," Fujitsu Corporate Senior Vice President Yoshikazu Kudo said.