Microsoft Sure with Azure?

Microsoft broadens the "Software + Services" play with the Azure platform pitch. What's this all about? Well the Azure services platform is, and I quote from the Microsoft site:

The Azure™ Services Platform (Azure) is an Internet-scale cloud services platform hosted in Microsoft data centers, which provides an operating system and a set of developer services that can be used individually or together. Azure’s flexible and interoperable platform can be used to build new applications to run from the cloud or enhance existing applications with cloud-based capabilities. Its open architecture gives developers the choice to build web applications, applications running on connected devices, PCs, servers, or hybrid solutions offering the best of online and on-premises.

This set of hosted services provides a "cloud platform" that developers and users can consume to quickly deliver solutions either, stand alone or as part of a hybrid application that may have some of the services on the inside of the firewall.

I find this positioning from Microsoft interesting. One would say that Microsoft are just trying to counter the Google effect. However, if you look into the Microsoft past as a fast follower, you would more likely say that they have seen SaaS as a viable market play and are now moving to dominate or at least re brand the market in their favour. I have seen before that when Microsoft see an opening they are quick to move and look to dominate within a three year period where possible.

Will this happen? Time will tell.