Cloud containerization, virtualization and data management solutions provider Sphere 3D has announced that it’s joined the Microsoft (News - Alert) Enterprise Cloud Alliance to deliver virtualized applications, virtualized desktop and enterprise storage over Microsoft Azure.

“With the rapid rise of mobile devices in the workplace, the value proposition of moving enterprise applications to the cloud for improved agility and scalability is clear,” said Dan Camarda, vice president of business development at Sphere 3D. “And, as organizations increasingly shift workloads to the cloud, they need a quick, easy and cost-effective solution to transfer their applications to Microsoft Azure. By joining the Enterprise Cloud Alliance, we created a new ecosystem which we hope will effectively transform the economics of application virtualization and delivery to any device at any time.”

Sphere 3D will offer its Glassware 2.0 software to Azure customers. Glassware lets customers containerize legacy applications such as CAD/CAM and medical imaging so that they can be run over networks and on mobile devices.

The company’s SnapCLOUD also allows users to define cloud-based Network Attached Storage (NAS). Customers can deploy more storage in minutes to meet unexpected demand.

Many companies are wanting to decrease the cost of ownership for their software while wanting to support mobile workforces using their own devices. Cloud applications seem to be a good solution, letting users access their software from anywhere. Sphere 3D’s solution appeals to enterprises because of its ability to handle applications that were never meant to be run over the cloud.

Microsoft has had a large commitment to supporting legacy technologies, so its Azure cloud hosting solution is a natural fit.

“Transitioning legacy applications and storage infrastructures not designed for the cloud has become both complicated and expensive for the enterprise,” Chris Lwanga, principal PM manager at Microsoft, said. “Sphere 3D’s ‘next cloud’ solutions complement the capabilities of the Microsoft Azure ecosystem. Customers now have a compelling option for modernizing and mobilizing their existing infrastructure; and they can avoid rip-and-replace scenarios.”