IBM and Microsoft announce a partnership where the two companies host their respective enterprise software on Microsoft Azure and IBM Cloud, a deal the companies say provides customers, partners and developers more choice in the cloud.

In a few words, IBM middleware such as WebSphere Liberty, MQ and DB2 will be available on Azure, while Windows Server and SQL Server will be offered on IBM Cloud. Meanwhile the IBM Bluemix cloud development platform will host a Microsoft .NET runtime, IBM software running on Windows Server Hyper-V gets expanded support and the IBM Pure Application Service will be available on Azure.

The IBM-owned SoftLayer already provides and supports a range of Microsoft software, including Windows Server, Hyper-V, WebMatrix, Windos Firewall and SQL Server, among others.

“Together we are creating new opportunities to drive innovation in hybrid cloud,” IBM says. “This agreement reinforces IBM’s strategy in providing open cloud technology for the enterprise. Clients will now gain unprecedented access to IBM’s leading middleware and will have an even greater level of choice over the tools that they use to build and deploy their cloud environments.”

Go IBM and Microsoft to Offer Greater Choice in the Hybrid Cloud