Microsoft is holding its annual Financial Analyst Meeting (FAM) today, offering some mid-year insight to its performance and goals for 2010. So far, one of Microsoft’s big announcements is its new cloud computing customers, which include Dow Chemical, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and the University of Georgia. From the event,

“The Microsoft cloud services ecosystem creates new opportunities for our customers,” Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner said. “It opens up new markets for businesses, improves operational efficiency and productivity, and transforms what IT can deliver to advance business goals.”

There are plenty of businesses that already use Microsoft products, but today’s announcement indicates the company’s growth specifically for its web-supported productivity tools. It’s an area that’s eluded Microsoft during the years of Google Apps domination, and the company has spent the better part of these past couple years turning that trend around.

Already this year we’ve seen a big push for Azure, Office 2010 and Windows 7. The conglomeration strives towards a more complete service from Microsoft products, relying heavily on enterprise cloud concepts to carve channels for future growth.

Security with cloud computing still remains an issue for Microsoft and every other company making a similar shift. The enterprise sector in particular is still hesitant to make the complete move, which is one reason why companies like Microsoft and Google will need to offer an array of services for a continued easing into the cloud. CNET notes that Dow in particular chose Microsoft over Google for security reasons.

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