DataStax, a leading provider of the always-on data layer for the Right-Now Enterprise, today announced the immediate availability of DataStax Managed Cloud on Microsoft Azure. DataStax Managed Cloud, a fully managed, white-glove service, on Azure eliminates the operational data management tasks, allowing enterprises to focus on innovation that drives business success.

DataStax Managed Cloud is the always-on data layer available on public cloud with secure, expert managed services, powered by one of the industry's best distributions of Apache Cassandra. Azure is an open, flexible, enterprise-grade cloud computing platform.

"Now available on Microsoft Azure, DataStax's latest Managed Cloud service delivers a fully managed data layer that serves an organization's many users and devices," said James Curtis, senior analyst, data platforms & analytics, 451 Research. "The cloud service is targeted at organizations that would prefer to focus on innovation instead of dealing with all of the administrative headaches associated with managing a data platform."

DataStax Managed Cloud on Azure is a solution for customers who want a comprehensive hybrid-cloud data layer, that is fully managed by DataStax to build applications that are highly contextual, always-on, real-time, globally distributed, and infinitely scalable.

DataStax Managed Cloud on Azure allows enterprises to:

• Offload operational tasks, including: backup and recovery, upgrades, security patches, and performance optimization - to DataStax. Plus, it reduces risk with a white-glove service of experts and grows easily as business expands.
• Accelerate time-to-market using a single underlying data layer that can run on-premise or on public cloud. The solution requires no re-write of applications against every cloud provider's proprietary data service and allows the creation of APIs and micro-services architectures to a consistent data layer.
• Have data autonomy with the choice and flexibility for hybrid architecture needs by having 100% compatibility with DataStax Enterprise. This allows enterprises to span or migrate across a data center or public cloud or both, all while retaining control of data.

"Enterprises realize it is imperative to retain control and management of their own data to stay ahead of the competition, especially in today's Right-Now Economy, where data is their most important asset," said Matt Rollender, Vice President of Global Business Development at DataStax. "DataStax Managed Cloud on Microsoft Azure is ideal in this new reality. Our expanded collaboration allows enterprises to have a seamless move to the cloud and, most importantly, data autonomy. Plus, with DataStax Managed Cloud on Azure, enterprises will reap the benefits of our team of experts, who have run the largest deployments of DataStax Enterprise and Cassandra in the world."

John "JG" Chirapurath, general manager of Data Platform Marketing, Microsoft Corp. said, "As a result of our collaboration with DataStax, our mutual customers will benefit from the enhanced data layer and cloud infrastructure for contextual, always-on and scalable applications."