Overview of Microsoft Office 365

On April 18^th, 2011, Microsoft released a beta version of their soon to be released Microsoft Office 365 which will be offered as an affordable subscription service. IT support providers recommend that your business consider how Office 365 can complement or perhaps even replace existing productivity suites.

What it is

Microsoft Office 365 is a cloud-based set of productivity tools that combines the familiar Microsoft Office Web Apps with a set of web-enabled tools that are simple to use and compatible with your existing hardware. Office 365 is always on and accessible from most computing devices that have access to the internet. IT service providers are sure that the portability of Office 365 will make it easier than ever for your business’s users to collaborate and work from any location as long as there is an internet connection.

Microsoft has worked hard to ensure that Office 365 provides your business with the data security your business needs and the reliability it expects. Office 365 has been designed to protect your business’s critical data with redundant architecture and disaster recovery which are supported through multiple datacenters that have automatic failovers.

Features

Microsoft Office 365 has many features that will make it easier for your employees to be productive, regardless of their locations. IT outsourcing providers especially like the features listed below:

Scalability makes Office 365 an affordable productivity suite regardless of whether your company is a small business with less than 25 users or an enterprise business with more than 250 users.

Anywhere access makes it easy to view email, calendars, and contacts at the office or on the go as long as there is an internet connection. IT consulting services providers appreciate being able to access critical information regardless of where they are and think that your employees will, too. Office 365 should work on most portable devices including the following:

MacBook Air laptop computers
iPhones and iPads
Android phones
Blackberry phones and tablets
Windows phones
Etc.

Scheduling is simple with Office 365. IT services providers recommend this feature for your employees who are constantly on the go. Office 365 makes it easy to view and share calendars. Key features are as follows:

View calendars from any web browser on most devices
Easily view calendars for multiple people to make scheduling meetings easier

Functional Office Web Apps give your employees access to familiar productivity applications from most web browsers. With Office Web Apps, users can easily create, collaborate, and edit documents anywhere. Web Apps include the following productivity tools:

Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft OneNote

SharePoint server accessibility makes it easy to access files stored on your corporate server from the office or on the go. Easily access the following through an internet browser: