Microsoft is shutting down its Azure Blockchain Service

Microsoft is shutting down its Azure Blockchain Service on September 10, 2021. Current deployments will probably be supported till that date, however as of Might 10 this 12 months, no new deployments or member creation is being supported.

Microsoft’s preliminary foray into Azure Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) began in 2015 with an offering on the Etherum Platform with ConsenSys.  In late January 2016, Microsoft made accessible a preview of a lab environment in Azure’s DevTest Labs in order that Blockchain-related providers and companions can decouple the Blockchain know-how from digital machines. Microsoft’s short-term objective for the Azure BaaS was to make accessible a certified blockchain marketplace. Within the interim, the main focus was so as to add blockchain companions of all types, slightly than attempting to select a restricted variety of potential winners, officers mentioned.

Blockchain is the know-how that underpins the cryptocurrency Bitcoin. However many tech distributors and customers felt it had way more makes use of past that. A blockchain is a shared ledger that may retailer the whole transaction historical past of not simply cryptocurrency however different kinds of information. As such, it attracted initial interest among some enterprises, particularly these in banking and finance.  

Microsoft ended up fielding a preview of Azure BaaS, however currently had not accomplished a lot to replace the service. Nonetheless, Microsoft’s product page for Azure BaaS lists GE, J.P. Morgan, Singapore Airways, Starbucks and Xbox as prospects.

Microsoft’s documentation suggests customers begin migrating to an alternate now. The advisable migration vacation spot is ConsenSys Quorum Blockchain Service. Customers additionally may decide to self-manage their blockhains utilizing VMs.

I requested Microsoft for official phrase as to why the corporate determined to close down Azure Blockchain. No response to date.

Because of Tom Kerkhove on Twitter for the data on the Azure Blockchain shutdown. To maintain up with deprecated Azure providers, try @AzureEndofLife.