After considering the options, they selected the Windows Azure Platform to run their new online 311 service.

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The sensors, said Ballmer, will eventually be integrated into PCs and smartphones and powered by the cloud-based Windows Azure platform.

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"We are delighted to work together with Microsoft to bring Agawi cloud-based game streaming to Windows 8 via the Windows Azure platform, " said Peter Relan, Executive Chairman of Agawi.

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The two companies aim to help develop and deploy telematics applications on the Windows Azure platform, which includes Windows Azure and Microsoft SQL Azure, starting with TMC's electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2012.

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Their case study has more details on what the problem was they wanted to address and why they chose the Windows Azure cloud platform over other available solutions they considered.

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