Microsoft introduces Parse Server on Azure Managed Services

Microsoft has come to the rescue, or is at least trying to help out, the numerous app developers who use the Parse platform. In response to Facebook’s intensions to shutter Parse back in January, Microsoft has today announced Parse Server on Azure Managed Services, an alternative way for Parse developers to continue developing in that format.

Parse Server incorporates Azure App Service and Notification Hubs to support Apache Cordova, Xamarin and native iOS andAndroid development processes, and can also support managed database services such as DocumentDB.

Microsoft’s Sr. Program Manager of Azure App Service Mobile Apps, Adrian Hall, says of the opportunities Microsoft is offering that, “These services provide a best-of-breed experience for your mobile backend going forward. You can easily scale your service to millions of users; just ask the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation about their experience with the scalability and reliability of the platform. You can move towards a DevOps mindset with our continuous deployment tools and staging environments, and get beta distribution, crash analytics and feedback using HockeyApp.”

To help developers migrate to the new Parse Server, Microsoft is offering a special introductory DocumentDB for Parse Service customers that will be free until June. They’re also holding a special Azure promotional campaign that gives new users a one-month free trial of Azure and up to $200 to spend on Azure services.

Adrian Hall has given detailed information for developers on the official Azure blog on how to get their Parse servers running and also on how to migrate their old data. The blog also has several comprehensive guides which provide more detailed walkthroughs on more advanced stages of Parse implementation.

Are you a Parse app developer who has begun to make the transition to Microsoft’s alternate Azure Server solution? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.