Microsoft will invest $5 billion in Internet of Things (IoT) and edge technologies over the next four years, according to a blog post by Julia White, corporate vice president of Microsoft Azure.
The pledge comes a week after a companywide reorganization that prioritizes Microsoft’s cloud and edge products and services over Windows.
The company did not provide specific details about how it will spend the $5 billion IoT investment.
“We will continue research and development in key areas, including securing IoT, creating development tools and intelligent services for IoT and the edge, and investments to grow our partner ecosystem,” White wrote. “Customers and partners can expect new products and services, offerings, resources, and programs.”
Customers including Steelcase, Kohler, Chevron, United Technologies, and Johnson Controls are already building products and services on top of Microsoft’s IoT platform, according to the blog. This includes Johnson Controls’ smart thermostat and Schneider Electric’s intelligent inverters connected to the IoT platform that convert solar energy in Nigeria into electricity and also allow for remote solar panel maintenance.
Microsoft will share more about its IoT plans throughout the year, the blog said.
Earlier this week the company launched a lower-priced version of its Azure IoT Hub platform for connecting IoT devices.
While Microsoft doubles down on IoT, Intel this week said it will sell its Wind River industrial IoT business to investment firm TPG.