Online MS Office and Cloud services

Question

Hi,

Ive read lot about Cloud services but I am missing on some basic things.  I would appreciate if someone can give me insight into the following queries.

1)  I am looking for MSOffice software as a cloud service.  Is this possible, if so where can i get the details about the process for getting the relevant knowledge and also about the steps for buying it.

2)  Windows Azure Platform.  Is this just an online O/S or does this come packaged with with basic softwares ?  What are the steps for buying.

 

Thanks,
Buchaiah B

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer 1

Windows Azure - a Platform as a Service. In a nutshell, its a application server into which you can deploy your custom .NET/Java/PHP/Ruby application. It includes features such as a scalable non-relational durable storage, durable RDBMS, and connectivity/authentication services. You can purchase a Windows Azure subscription via Microsoft Online Services Customer Portal at https://mocp.microsoftonline.com

Microsoft's Office Web Apps, is an online version of the Microsoft Office suite that allows you to store and modify office documents via any support browser, giving you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. This service is free for personal use with a business version being available if you would perfer to host the services and storage of documents on-premises. Additional details can be found at: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps/office-web-apps-overview-FX101825723.aspx

Finally, there's Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite. This solution offers you hosted Exchange and SharePoints services on a per-user basis. Details on this offering are also available at the above mentioned Microsoft Online Services Customer Portal.

Answer 2

Of course just 2 hours after I post this, they Business Productivity Online Suite gets rebranded: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/microsoft/microsoft-christens-its-cloud-business-suite-as-office-365-launches-beta/7712

Bye-bye BPOS, hellow Office 365