Microsoft looking for customers to test Cloud-based database replication

While it might have joined the party a little late, Microsoft is now focused on building cloud-based applications. As part of an initiative dubbed "Project Huron," the Redmond, Wash.-based company is working on technology to synchronize local copies of a database with one situated in the cloud. 

The local copy could be hosted on systems running an SQL Server or SQL Compact, though Microsoft is holding off support for Microsoft Access at the moment. In theory, the cloud database, known as SQL Data Services, will allow data to be exchanged with multiple endpoints. This has the potential to make for some pretty interesting global applications: The ability to access locally cached copies of data will allow programmers to focus on the application and not have to contend with latency or synchronization issues.

Project Huron is part of Azure, and is currently under development. Customers who are interested in participating in this early adopter program can email Microsoft directly here.

For more on this story:
- check out this article at eWeek

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