Getting Started with Azure and Microsoft Cloud Computing
Here are a couple resources for getting started learning about Microsoft's cloud computing strategy:
" The Azure Services Platform is an internet-scale cloud computing and services platform hosted in Microsoft data centers. The Azure Services Platform provides a range of functionality to build applications that span from consumer web to enterprise scenarios and includes a cloud operating system and a set of developer services."
Getting Started with Microsoft Cloud Computing Tools
https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/cc972640.aspx
Windows Azure
Windows Azure is the development, hosting, and management environment of the Azure Services Platform, which enables you to run applications at Internet scale while leveraging the skills and tools you use today.
Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio
Windows Azure Tools for Microsoft Visual Studio extend Visual Studio to enable the creation, building, debugging, running, and packaging of scalable services on Windows Azure.
Live Framework
The Live Framework is the uniform way for programming Live Services from a variety of platforms, programming languages, applications and devices. With the Live Framework, you can easily build and deploy applications in the cloud that sync across multiple devices.