Software giant Microsoft (MS) today said IT firms NIIT, Cognizant and CDC Software, and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) will build solutions and train manpower based on its cloud computing platform, Windows Azure.

Cloud computing refers Internet-based computing, where applications and software are accessed over the Internet, which results in reduced IT costs.

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Microsoft to focus on products, profits - Microsoft to speed up entertainment, devices plans - Cellphone vendors look to catch 'em young - Microsoft to restructure its top management - Microsoft plans management shake up - Three screens and the cloud

Also Read   Related Stories News Now - Markets end lower ahead of May F&O expiry - Parsvnath posts Rs 23 cr loss in Q4 - Educomp net down 57% at Rs 61 cr in Jan-Mar qtr - DLF Q4 net plunges 39% to Rs 211 cr - Provogue Q4 net profit down 71% at Rs 1.81 cr More

"India will not only see a surge in consumption of cloud services, driving growth in domestic IT usage, but companies all over the world will look to India to support their transition to cloud computing," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said.

According to a study by research firm Zinnov, the global cloud computing market is expected to cross $70 billion by 2015.

As a result of the growing demand for independent software vendors, developers and system integrators, an additional three lakh jobs related to cloud services are estimated to be created in India over the next five years.

Over 4,000 applications have already been built on the Windows Azure platform by India.

Companies like Wipro, Infosys, TCS, HCL Technologies and Mahindra Satyam are already building applications and solutions across verticals ranging from healthcare, banking to manufacturing for local and global markets.

CDC Software, an enterprise software and services applications provider, also announced the global roll out of its flagship product 'CDC Respond' (a complaint and feedback management application for banking and government sectors) on the Windows Azure platform.

IISc, Bangalore, is building a large-scale application on Windows Azure to study the basic resource allocation constructs and strategies required for addressing enterprise needs on the cloud.

New Ipad Application :Business Standard's all new IPad App Click here to download for free Other Stories      - Markets end lower ahead of May F&O expiry - Parsvnath posts Rs 23 cr loss in Q4 - Educomp net down 57% at Rs 61 cr in Jan-Mar qtr - DLF Q4 net plunges 39% to Rs 211 cr - Provogue Q4 net profit down 71% at Rs 1.81 cr

Tags : Microsoft | IISc | cloud computing | IT | NIIT | software | Azure   Read Business news in  Advertisements -  India's no. 1 Property Site. Click here to know more -  "Discover The Power of One" -  Journey on, We are by Your Side. Click here to know more -  Help a Child Achieve her. Click to know more -  Benefits Upto Rs. 2.36 Lakhs on the Fully Loaded TJet Petrol. -  The Best Seller is Also the No. 1 in Mileage. Click here -  Watch The Film Here. Click here to know more.. -  Leader in Passenger Car & Automobile Tyres. Click here -  Learn How One City is Running on FOOD SCRAPS. -  1 billion in saving for Unilever without any tangles. -  A Brand New Server at a Price That Fits Your Budget. Click here -  One Partnership Endless Possibilities. Click here to know more -  Helping doctors detect diseases earlier, saving costs & extending lives. -  36 Lakhs can get you a pool of Luxuries. Click here -  Which is the best plan for your daughter -  Check out the TRUE COLOURS of your Stocks, Now for FREE! -  One of the leading business schools in the world.Know More -  2 Lac Apartments, 1 Lac House / Plots. Click here