New Array of Microsoft Business Services to Hit by Mid-2009

Together with Telstra, Microsoft is preparing to unleash a new array of business services on the Australian market by mid-2009. The two companies inked a strategic alliance designed to span from software solutions aimed at business customers to integrated computing and telephony services, all of which set up to play nice with mobile services and devices. With this move, Microsoft proves that its focus on small and medium-seized businesses is by no means limited to North America.

“Today’s news marks a watershed moment in helping bring a new generation of powerful software and services to a wider audience of Australian businesses,” revealed Tracey Fellows, Microsoft Australia’s managing director. “In particular, the planned alliance would provide small and medium-sized businesses, of which there are over 1.8 million in Australia, access to products and services that were formerly only available to large companies with well-resourced IT budgets and infrastructure.”

Essentially, Microsoft plans to make available a comprehensive collection of next-generation services through Telstra’s Next IP and Next G networks to small and medium-sized businesses in Australia. As an integral part of the new offerings jointly delivered by Microsoft and Telstra, Australian business customers will be able to enjoy products including: Microsoft Online Services, Microsoft Office Communicator, but also a set of software solutions from email to calendar and to web browser. Holly Kramer, Telstra Group Managing Director, Product Management, applauded the collaboration with Microsoft.

“Telstra is excited to have the opportunity to partner with Microsoft to bring to market the best of both worlds - world-leading applications from Microsoft delivered over Telstra’s world-class networks - all in a seamless one-click, one-touch user experience,” Kramer said. “Our customers are seeing convergence between networks and applications and between fixed and mobile devices. We are turning this convergence into meaningful products that deliver a better user experience and productivity benefits for their businesses. This is true unified communications - a combination of telephony, e-mail, mobility, conferencing, collaboration and tools like presence - and it will change the way many Australian businesses operate.”