Azure 30 Day PowerPass

If you are curious about our Windows Azure service, we now have a 30 day access to Windows Azure and SQL Azure with the Azure PowerPass.  This is a perfect no-cost, no-hassle way trial our Azure cloud capabilities. 

Here’s the details:

• How do I get started with my Windows Azure Trial?:     Send an email to gov_pass@microsoft.com and the auto-response will include a URL and Promo Code.    On the provided page, enter your code and other required information to initiate the request (a Windows LiveID is required).
• When will my Azure Environment be ready to access?:   The environment will take 2-4 business days to provision and you will be notified when it’s available.  
• Where can I find getting started resources?:  There will be links to various resources provided with in the auto-response email.  Its recommended that you review this information while your environment is being provisioned.
• Will a credit card be required for activation?:   No.  Unlike the Azure Benefits including in MSDN Subscriptions, a credit card is not required for activation.
• How long does the trial last?:  The trial will run for 30 days and a grace period will be offered to provide time to save and offload any work.   The account will be deleted at the end of the grace period.
• What Azure components does the Environment provide?:   Windows Azure  (4 small compute instances, 3GB of storage, 250,000 storage transactions) - SQL Azure (Two 1GB Web Edition database) – AppFabric (100,000 Access Control transactions, 2 Service Bus connections  - Data Transfers (3 GB in, 3 GB out).
• Can someone request multiple trials?:    Yes, however all of the data will be deleted from the account at the end of each trial.
• What support is available?:    You can get no-cost Azure support with Microsoft Platform Ready.
• Who can I talk to about Azure applicability and specifics within my Agency or Organization?:     Please can contact Microsoft Public Sector Azure experts at askdpeps@microsoft.com.