Microsoft released the first major service update for Office 365, its cloud productivity service for businesses. The company said it is making inroads with multinational firms, who are choosing Office 365 to enable their employees and customers to work together in the cloud.
The release includes more than 30 updates to Office 365 to enhance collaboration and communication, and for SkyDrive, adding simple app-centric sharing for Office, powerful file management and easier uploads with HTML5 based largely on customer feedback. Key new features and enhancements include the following:
- Support for Lync for Mac. Mac users can now use instant messaging, presence and videoconferencing through Office 365.
- New SharePoint Business Connectivity Services, which allow people to connect to information in their company’s critical line-of-business applications, such as customer relationship management or SAP software.
- Support for Windows Phone 7.5. Starting today, people can access and update documents in SharePoint Online from anywhere using their Windows Phone.
- SkyDrive gets simpler app-centric sharing for Office, powerful file management and easier uploads with HTML5.
“We are seeing really positive momentum for Office 365. Customers are adopting Office 365 eight times faster than our previous service, and the solution is on track to become one of our fastest-growing offers in Microsoft history,�? said Kurt DelBene, president of the Office Division at Microsoft. “We are also seeing great traction with small businesses, with more than 90 percent of our early Office 365 customers coming from small businesses.” http://www.microsoft.com