Dell and Microsoft Elevate Hybrid Cloud at Microsoft Ignite 2025

At Microsoft Ignite 2025, Dell Technologies reinforced its long partnership with Microsoft by introducing significant advancements in hybrid cloud, data security, and AI-powered client solutions. Dell and Microsoft are combining infrastructure, software, and services to help organizations achieve a more predictable, secure, and high-performing path to modern IT.

The expanded partnership aims to simplify hybrid cloud operations. It removes barriers to data-intensive workloads while delivering secure, manageable AI at the edge and in data centers. Customers can modernize at their own pace while retaining control, ensuring compliance, and keeping costs efficient.

Dell Private Cloud and PowerStore Integration with Azure Local

Dell is increasing support for Dell Private Cloud for Azure Local. This offers customers an easier way to manage hybrid and multicloud environments. Dell Private Cloud features a fully integrated, automated stack that applies cloud operating principles to on-premises infrastructure. Azure Local brings Azure services closer to where data is generated and used.

With this expansion, customers gain:

• Streamlined lifecycle management with integrated automation that handles deployment, patching, scaling, and ongoing maintenance. IT teams can reduce manual work and operational risk while maintaining consistent configurations across environments.
• Independent scaling of compute and storage. This allows organizations to customize their infrastructure to meet workload needs, preventing overprovisioning and aligning costs with actual demand.
• Future-ready infrastructure that supports both traditional applications and modern cloud-native workloads. Enterprises can unify around a platform that meets current needs while staying flexible for future services.

Dell PowerStore’s integration with Azure Local further strengthens this hybrid cloud foundation. PowerStore provides always-on data reduction, ultra-low latency NVMe performance, and a flexible, container-based software architecture for Azure-connected environments. This combination allows organizations to:

• Run latency-sensitive and data-intensive workloads with consistent performance while still utilizing Azure services.
• Improve storage efficiency with integrated data reduction, helping manage total cost of ownership without sacrificing responsiveness.
• Design hybrid architectures that position data and compute optimally for performance, compliance, and cost.

Together, Dell Private Cloud, PowerStore, and Azure Local create a well-integrated hybrid cloud stack. This stack offers consistent operations across on-premises and Azure environments, helping customers manage both legacy and modern workloads without adding unnecessary complexity.

Dell PowerScale for Azure: Simplifying Unstructured Data at Scale

Many organizations struggle with fragmented storage silos and inconsistent management across on-premises and cloud environments. Dell and Microsoft are addressing this with Dell PowerScale for Azure, an enterprise-grade managed file storage service provided directly within the Azure platform.

PowerScale for Azure is designed for data-intensive applications, such as analytics, AI/ML pipelines, media workflows, and large-scale file storage. As a fully managed, Azure-native service, it offers:

• Seamless integration with Azure, allowing customers to provision and manage file storage using familiar Azure tools. This shortens the learning curve for operations and speeds up time to value.
• Advanced scalability that supports growth from terabytes to multi-petabytes without needing re-architecture or disruptive migrations. Organizations can scale capacity and performance to match changing workload demands.
• Strong security and resilience, leveraging Dell’s enterprise storage capabilities alongside Azure’s security framework. Data remains protected, accessible, and compliant with regulations.

Dell handles deployment, updates, and ongoing operations for PowerScale for Azure. This allows IT teams to focus on application outcomes instead of storage management. Customers benefit from Dell’s file storage expertise combined with Azure’s global infrastructure, creating a consistent platform for unstructured data across on-premises and cloud environments. This combination helps organizations get more value from their data while lowering operational overhead.

Strengthened Cyber Resilience with PowerProtect Backup Services on Azure

Ransomware, insider threats, and operational failures pressure IT organizations to rethink their data protection strategies. To address this, Dell announced improvements to its PowerProtect Backup Services, a backup-as-a-service solution built on Azure infrastructure.

PowerProtect Backup Services is designed to deliver:

• Complete protection for hybrid workloads, covering on-premises, edge, and cloud-native applications. By using a unified, cloud-based protection framework, organizations can implement consistent policies and SLAs across their environments.
• Enhanced cyber resilience by combining Dell’s cyber recovery features with Azure’s security measures. This strengthens defenses and minimizes vulnerabilities throughout the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Automated recovery workflows that help reduce downtime and data loss after incidents. The focus is on fast, reliable recovery instead of manual processes that increase risk.
• Simplified management across hybrid and multicloud environments, providing organizations with centralized visibility into protection status, recovery points, and compliance.

These enhancements aim to make cyber resilience achievable and sustainable for organizations of all sizes. By integrating closely with Azure and automating complex processes, Dell and Microsoft help customers maintain operations even amid growing threats.

Secure and Manageable Commercial AI PCs

As AI becomes crucial to day-to-day productivity, client devices have become key for AI workloads. Dell’s latest commercial AI PCs, designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft technologies, cater to users who need performance and manageability at scale.

The Dell AI PC ecosystem focuses on:

• Developer support for on-device AI applications. Dell’s tools for AI PCs streamline how developers create, test, and deploy applications that run AI workloads locally. These tools are optimized for Microsoft Intune and Dell AI PCs, allowing consistent policy management across devices.
• Built-in AI processors that speed up tasks and offload work from the CPU and GPU. By processing AI workloads locally, these systems can lower latency, save bandwidth, and keep sensitive data on the device. Local processing also enhances security features and automation, reducing operational costs across the endpoint environment.
• Optimizing Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 to ensure AI-powered features in productivity and collaboration tools function efficiently and securely. This improves user experience while giving IT teams the controls they need to manage endpoints effectively.

The portfolio is backed by Dell services and support, helping organizations standardize on AI-enabled devices that are secure, manageable, and aligned with their sustainability and lifecycle goals.

Dell Professional Services for Microsoft: Turning Strategy into Outcomes

Adopting new technology does not guarantee business success. To help customers translate Microsoft and Dell technologies into tangible results, Dell offers professional services for Microsoft.

These services are designed to:

• Speed up the adoption of Microsoft platforms and services, including Azure, Microsoft 365, and security solutions, while leveraging Dell’s infrastructure and data protection offerings.
• Modernize safely and effectively with guidance and implementation support that aligns operations with best practices. The goal is to create resilient, secure environments that foster long-term growth.
• Boost productivity and resilience by optimizing configurations, streamlining operations, and integrating cyber-resilience capabilities across the system.

Dell Technologies Payment Solutions enhances these services by providing flexible financial models that align investments with business timelines. By combining Dell Professional Services for Microsoft with Dell Payment Solutions, organizations have a reliable way to modernize while effectively managing costs and risks.

Learn More

For more details on how Dell Technologies and Microsoft are collaborating to simplify hybrid cloud, unify data management, enhance cyber resilience, and provide secure AI at the edge, visit the Dell Technologies and Microsoft partnership page.