Overview
- Azure Local disconnected operations and Microsoft 365 Local disconnected are now available worldwide, while Foundry Local large‑model support is limited to qualified customers.
- Foundry Local enables on‑premises inferencing with large multimodal models on customer hardware using GPUs from partners such as NVIDIA.
- Microsoft 365 Local brings Exchange Server, SharePoint Server and Skype for Business Server into customer‑controlled environments with support pledged through at least 2035.
- Coverage notes Azure Local previously required periodic cloud check‑ins via Azure Arc, with the new disconnected mode removing the need to phone home.
- Commentary from European industry groups and online critics welcomes more local control yet questions legal and operational sovereignty under U.S. jurisdiction and vendor‑managed updates.