Service provider titan Capgemini Group has announced a strategic partnership with Microsoft to deliver Windows Azure consulting, technology and outsourcing services to customers in 22 countries around the world. In other words, Microsoft has enlisted Capgemini to help clients make the jump into the Azure PaaS cloud.

According to Capgemini’s press release, the Windows Azure services will have a “first focus on the U.K., the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, France, Belgium and Brazil.” Together, the two companies plan on jointly putting together pitches for verticals including the public sector and financial institutions. The goal is to demonstrate the value of the cloud in general and the Windows Azure platform in specific for solving business challenges such as M&A and legacy replacements.

Here’s what John Brahim, Capgemini’s Application Services Europe Deputy CEO, had to say about the partnership in a prepared statement:

Capgemini plans on upping its Microsoft game, with 1,500 architects and developers in branch offices around the world slated to receive Windows Azure training and several in-house solutions moving to Redmond’s cloud. Capgemini will also promote third-party solutions hosted on Azure to customers. But most interesting of all, Capgemini plans on developing the Windows Azure Center of Excellence in Mumbai, India, an “offshore center of expertise.”

At the recent Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference, there was a definite emphasis on using partners to build momentum for the Microsoft Windows Azure Cloud. And getting an established partner such as Capgemini to leverage its global reach for migration services certainly fits the bill. We’ll be watching closely for updates.