Microsoft created Azure, the cloud-computing platform that competes with Amazon Web Services. Microsoft introduced the service as Windows Azure in 2010 and renamed it Microsoft Azure in 2014.
Azure provides computing, storage, databases, networking, analytics, artificial intelligence, and developer tools through Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure. Its enterprise relationships and compatibility with Windows Server and other Microsoft software helped it become a major contributor to the company’s growth.
Azure is a platform brand rather than a separate publicly traded company. Microsoft’s market capitalization reflects the combined value of its businesses, including Windows, Office, gaming, LinkedIn, GitHub, and cloud services. Azure is therefore one important part of Microsoft’s overall valuation, not the entire company.