Ola Group of Companies, founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, has recently announced its decision to sever ties with its current cloud service provider, Microsoft Azure. This move comes shortly after Aggarwal criticized Microsoft-owned job search portal LinkedIn for removing his post regarding “pronoun illness,” accusing the company of imposing a political ideology on Indian users through its AI tool.
In a statement shared on social media, Aggarwal disclosed plans for Ola to transition its workload from Azure to its own Krutrim cloud over the next week. The process poses a challenge, but Aggarwal expressed excitement about the transition and extended an offer to other developers looking to leave Azure. Ola will provide a year of free cloud service for developers who make the switch and refrain from returning to Azure. Interested parties can email exitazure@olakrutrim.com to take advantage of this offer, which is open indefinitely.
The decision to move away from Microsoft Azure could have significant implications for the tech giant, as Ola is a major consumer of its services. According to a report by MoneyControl, Ola’s departure could result in a loss of over Rs 100 crore in business for Microsoft’s Azure cloud service. The partnership between Ola and Microsoft dates back to 2017 when they collaborated on developing a connected vehicle platform for automakers worldwide.
In his announcement, Aggarwal did not specify the exact reasons for Ola’s decision to leave Azure, but it is evident that the fallout with Microsoft over the removal of his LinkedIn post played a role in this strategic move. Ola’s transition to its proprietary cloud service reflects a growing trend among companies seeking greater control and autonomy over their data and operations.
As Ola prepares to make the shift to its own cloud infrastructure, the company is poised to become more self-reliant and reduce its dependence on external service providers like Microsoft. This move aligns with Ola’s commitment to innovation and independence, as evidenced by its bold decision to break away from a longstanding partnership with a tech behemoth.
Overall, Ola’s departure from Microsoft Azure signifies a significant shift in the tech landscape, underscoring the growing emphasis on data sovereignty and independence among businesses. While the move may present challenges in the short term, it positions Ola for greater control over its operations and data storage in the long run. As the company embarks on this transition, the industry will be closely watching to see how Ola’s decision impacts its operations and future growth prospects.
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https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/we-dont-need-lectures-from-western-companies-ola-ceo-bhavish-agarwal-on-ending-ties-with-microsofts-azure-cloud-services/articleshow/110039437.cms