Monday, March 3, 2008

Microsoft Expands Online Services

Redmond-based Microsoft said Sunday that the firm is rolling out a set of business programs targeted at allowing companies to access their e-mail, calendars, contacts, web conferencing, and workspaces over the web. According to Microsoft, the new services are available as a limited beta trial to U.S. based companies, and comes in the light of increased competition from Google and others. Just last week, Google announced a release of the business wiki and project management software it acquired from JotSpot, a direct competitor to Microsoft's Sharepoint portal software. According to Microsoft the new Microsoft Online Services will be available for businesses of all sizes, and are based on the firm's Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 products. Licensing of the services will be based on a per-user subscription. Initial customers of the service include Autodesk, Blockbuster, Ceridian, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Energizer Holdings, Intersoll-Rand Company, PFT-Medwa and XL Capital.