Dive Brief:

• Dell and Microsoft announced they are teaming up to offer enterprises the Cloud Platform System Standard.
• The system combines servers, storage and software in an integrated box that allows enterprises to easily connect to Microsoft's Azure cloud services.
• The service is aimed at customers that want to build out a hybrid cloud environment or provide more computing and storage capacity when needed.

Dive Insight:

The new offering is designed to lower the entry point and make it possible for smaller companies to deploy, reducing the investment risk for companies that want to move to a hybrid cloud environment. Customers can rent Cloud Platform System Standard for $9,000 a month.

The hybrid model is popular option, but the complexity of putting the software and hardware together can be a barrier. A system from partners like Dell and Microsoft, that includes a flexible pricing model, could make the new system appealing.

"The pricing model is pretty incredible; you only get charged for what you use, which basically removes every objection from a financing perspective," said Patrick Moorhead, principal at Moor Insights & Strategy.