14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is bringing users closer to the cloud with the evolution of its Software + Services offerings. In this regard, both business customers and partners will be able to take advantage of fresh suites of subscription services via Microsoft Online Services. According to Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division, Microsoft Online Services is now capable of delivering to clients a complex family of solutions made even more attractive by the packages just introduced which are accompanied by new prices and compensations.
"Today we are taking an important next step in delivering Microsoft Online Services, and we?re doing so with a broad set of Microsoft partners, that are crucial to bringing this solution to our customers," Elop explained. Solutions including Exchange Online, Office SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online, Office Live Meeting, and Dynamics CRM Online are now available to enterprise customers under the new subscription models debuted by the software company.
Even before the retirement of Bill Gates from his day-to-day role with the company, Microsoft was under the leadership of Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie embarking on a new path. And the increasing focus on the S+S strategy is nothing more than Microsoft's way of taking its business and its customers and partners into the cloud.
At the annual Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston, Elop added that "Microsoft Online Services is a key component of the software plus services initiative, and we?re seeing customers, partners and even competitors embrace this flexible approach to the cloud".
As of July 8, 2008 the Exchange Online Deskless Worker and SharePoint Online Deskless Worker are up for grabs. The Deskless Worker Suite, which includes both offerings mentioned above, comes with a price tag of just $3 per user, per month. At the same time, a more complex solution made up of Exchange Online, Office SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online and Office Live Meeting brings messaging and collaboration services for $15 per user, per month.
"Microsoft is committed to software plus services, and we are equally committed to embracing this opportunity together with the Microsoft partner community. The success of Microsoft Online Services depends on the partners that sell, customize and provide consulting, migration and managed services for customers. The end result is an environment where both customers and partners win. Partners will have a tremendous opportunity in the midmarket, where customers can get enterprise-class software delivered on a predictable, pay-as-you-go basis," commented Allison L. Watson, corporate vice president of the Worldwide Partner Group at Microsoft.