Candidate architectures

We have two viable options for implementing our business requirements.

Candidate architecture #1 Windows Azure / SQL Azure

There are several key requirements that Microsoft's cloud computing offering, Windows Azure, can meet easily. First "new" instances of any application can be spun up easily and then configured or customized. Each application scales transparently. As usage peaks, for example when filing or other court deadlines approach, the Azure platform scales transparently. As usage falls off, costs are reduced under the "pay for what you use" pricing model offered by Microsoft.

Cloud-based solutions will not require extensive capital expenditures for servers or delays imposed by the need to build, ship, and install hardware. One simply goes to Microsoft, activates the appropriate sized solution, and starts to build the application. The management of Toy O D'oh wants to put this matter behind them, as it has given them an enormous public relations hit. Given...