Sogeti, a leading international provider of professional IT services, announced today that it has launched the Sogeti Azure Privilege Club in order to enable its customers to take the first steps into the cloud with the help and dedication of Microsoft and Sogeti. During its initial phase, this interactive program will include 12 leading customers that are committed toimproving their business process and performance through cloud computing, enabled by Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform.

The participating customers will be able to launch innovative cloud solutions, backed by Sogeti and Microsoft engineering and business experts. “We believe that adoption of cloud computing requires a clear top down commitment and the execution of concrete initiatives that demonstrate business value,” commented Luc-François Salvador, Chairman and CEO Sogeti worldwide. “With the launch of the Sogeti Privilege Club offering, we will make this a reality for a selected group of our priority customers. Our cloud partnership with Microsoft and the strength of the Windows Azure platform enables this important “

A long partnership

Over the past year, Microsoft and Sogeti have forged a strong partnership in cloud services in order to provide their customers with a proven and clear roadmap to capture the benefits of cloud services. The Sogeti Azure Privilege Club represents the second innovative offering jointly launched by Sogeti and Microsoft. In addition, the Sogeti Azure Jumpstart was launched earlier this year to enable customers to accelerate their adoption of cloud services through the Windows Azure platform and a set of pre-installed leading ISV solutions available as services.

This cloud partnership has already delivered dividends to customers with leading IT capabilities. For an example of a leading Azure client case study featuring Microsoft and Sogeti please visit www.sogeti.com/casestudies. “The Sogeti and Microsoft partnership in cloud services, and specifically with the Windows Azure platform, cuts through the “hype” in cloud computing and delivers customers with concrete and innovative cloud offerings”, commented Zane Adam, General Manager, SQL Azure and AppFabric, Microsoft Corporation.