Office 365 Is Mobile, But Not Mobile Enough

Microsoft has released a public beta of its cloud-based Office Productivity 365 service in 38 countries including the UK, offering packages tailored for large enterprises and SMEs.
Microsoft has just announced the public release of Office 365 beta.
Office 365 is a subscription-based service that allows businesses and individuals to use Office and other web-based applications from anywhere, says the firm at 365 Office Web site.
Designed with large corporations and businesses in mind, Microsoft Office 365 not aim to replace Google Docs for the average home user, but for companies who need to work with secure, full-fledged office software - to insure that their work can be accessed from anywhere they are, and that more people can work on it at the same time.
Key features include the Office Web Apps to view and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote documents on the go using a web browser.
It works on all PCs and mobile phones via a web browser, and if you have a Windows 7 Phone device, you have the advantage of being able to synchronize and update from the phone itself.
Customers can work on documents simultaneously, and share files using password protection through SharePoint Online.
Office 365 brings together Microsoft Office SharePoint Online, Exchange Online and Lync Online in an always up-to-date cloud service.
In the meantime, let Microsoft Lync Online users find and communicate with colleagues via instant messaging and video calls Lync, or start an online meeting from the Office program.
People using the service can access their projects, and the right tools to work wherever they are - as long as they have a computer with an Internet connection.
Lync Online can also customers to share desks, online panels and presentations with colleagues and third party partners and customers.
Microsoft has also introduced Office 365 Market Place, to give customers an easy way to find programs and services that can be used to extend and customise the Office 365 With over 100 programs and 400 professional services now, expect more to be added over time. Microsoft Office 365 was a limited beta before, but now available for everyone to test. When it goes live later this year, the service will cost $ 6 monthly subscription fee. Head over to Office 365 website to find out more and to join the beta. Hit the break to watch a promo video for the Office 365 ..
However, Microsoft noted that some mobile functionality requires Office 2010 Mobile, which is only available on Windows 7 Phone Devices
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Microsoft also highlighted the safety and reliability of cloud-based service, which guarantees 99.9 percent uptime, and the latest anti-virus and anti-spam products to protect e-mail
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The beta program is open to all and there are two packages on offer
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Office 365 P1 Plan is aimed at professionals and small businesses with a maximum of 25 employees and no IT support. Plan E3 is suitable for large IT-based organizations
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Microsoft has confirmed that the 365 Office will replace the existing Office Live Small Business service
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The transition to 365 is expected to start late 2011 or early 2012, and customers who choose to have their accounts transferred will receive three months of Office 365 for Small Business Free
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Beta users will be given a 30-day trial when Office 365 is commercially launched, after which the subscription starts at £ 4 per month per user
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