Basically, Azure allows businesses to set up blockchains in a quick and simple manner. The Azure Blockchain Workbench is primarily meant to be used as a test environment for blockchain apps, while the Azure Marketplace offers full-featured third-party blockchains. This makes setup easier, but Microsoft has never made blockchain management simple—until now.
Now, Microsoft will offer fully managed blockchain services under its new Azure Blockchain Service lineup. As the name suggests, this will make it easier for businesses to manage, maintain, and administer a blockchain network. Microsoft has not revealed all of the blockchains that will be available, but JP Morgan’s Quorum will be the very first.
Microsoft also says that its Azure Blockchain Service will simplify the “formation, management, and governance” of the blockchains that it plans to offer to its customers. This means that enterprise users will be able to perform common administrative tasks with ease: adding new members and setting permissions will become much simpler.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s new partnership with JP Morgan could build a deeper relationship. As Microsoft explains, it isn’t just offering Quorum on Azure; it is providing Quorum with engineering and consulting as well. Additionally, Microsoft has adopted Quorum for its own purposes: Quorum will power the Xbox royalties network, for example.
Microsoft’s announcement coincides with similar news from Amazon, which revealed its own managed blockchain services just days ago. VeChain and IOHK have also recently revealed enterprise platforms, although these are somewhat different from the rest. Meanwhile, IBM and R3 haven’t made any announcements, but remain major forces in the enterprise blockchain arena.
Enterprise blockchains are a world unto themselves. They are rarely concerned with cryptocurrency. Instead, they handle tasks such as data management, supply chain tracking, and financial activity. Enterprise blockchains are less visible than public blockchains like Bitcoin, but they are nevertheless a very important part of the blockchain landscape.
TheBitcoinNews.com is here for you 24/7 to keep you informed on everything crypto. Like what we do? Tip us some Satoshi with the exciting new Lightning Network Tippin.me tool!
Article comments