Microsoft’s Azure cloud-computing service experienced a major global outage yesterday that lasted for around five hours. Azure lets businesses access computing resources and run programs via the Internet. The service was restored after a disruption that affected at least six major components in multiple data centers, Microsoft said on its website.

Azure is a key part of the "cloud OS," a term Nadella uses to describe the different technologies Microsoft can bring together to give customers a consistent experience across different devices.

Azure has enabled Microsoft to partner with other companies. Last year, Microsoft and Oracle said businesses would be able to buy middleware and database products from Oracle on the Azure cloud. In May, Microsoft announced a similar agreement with Salesforce.com Inc.