Avid has secured a long-term tie-up with Microsoft to develop cloud-based apps for the media and entertainment industry.

Under the agreement, Microsoft “will invest additional resources and funding” to help accelerate Avid cloud-based applications while Avid will exclusively offer Microsoft Azure hosting and media services to its customers.

In addition, the companies will work “in close cooperation” to help clients migrate to the cloud easily and more cost-effectively.

The Avid Media Central platform incorporates Media Composer and Pro Tools.

Avid chairman and chief executive Louis Hernandez, Jr. said, “Avid is making a major play in the cloud, which is a significant step for the company. This represents the culmination of our Avid Everywhere vision and strategy for the industry, which will open up significant growth prospects for the company as it looks to maximize on the opportunities that the media industry’s migration to the cloud will unlock.”

The company is also making a version of its flagship Media Composer available for free.

Media Composer First is a cut down version featuring four video tracks and eight audio tracks but with a number of functions present in the full version of the software including publishing to social media channels. First was initially announced in 2015.

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