# Microsoft Azure - FAQ
What's the difference in the Azure Platform and the Ability™ Platform?
The Microsoft Azure Platform is the foundation for the ABB Ability™ Platform. Azure serves as our Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). This platform serves as a set of globally distributed data centers and software that Microsoft has developed on top of the hardware to do things like store data, give you tools for machine learning, etc. to build digital solutions.
Is our agreement with Microsoft exclusive?
No, but we do have special conditions that make our relationship with Microsoft unique compared to the other relationships Microsoft has announced with some of our competitors. Microsoft is investing in joint go-to-market initiatives and is providing millions of dollars to ABB to accelerate the development of Azure applications for our mutual customers.
Do we have our own Azure Stack running in our data center?
No, we do not have an Azure Stack as of today. However, some division project teams are using Azure Stack for their own solutions.
What is the cost of the service for internal teams?
Cost for service depend on what Azure resources are used. These are passed on to the divisions with no markup other than potential transfer costs. The cost for the platform upgrades, support, monitoring, and corrective actions are absorbed by Digital ABB and not passed on to the division.
Where can I receive information about pricing for Microsoft Azure?
You can view this information in the pricing section on the Azure website.
How should I price my application built on Azure?
Developing directly on Microsoft Azure is different from developing an app on the ABB Ability™ Platform (some of Microsoft Azure components + ABB's digital components). Pricing an app/solution for external customers involves considering various attributes (value delivered, ROI, different pricing strategies: adoption first then scale, etc.), one of them being cost (the cost to build, operate, scale, renew, etc.). To explore the other attributes of pricing like customer ROI, value-based pricing, etc. please contact your digital lead.
Does ABB Ability™ provide a free test account for Microsoft Azure?
Unfortunately, at this time we do not. If a business would like to setup a test environment they should follow the normal process via the on-boarding process and/or their digital leads.
Does Azure provide advanced analytics that ABB can make use of?
Azure does not provide advanced analytics out of the box rather they provide tools that the Ability™ Platform has leveraged and tools that divisions can leverage also.