Microsoft Online Services Launched today.

Today Microsoft launched another hosted offering as Microsoft Online Services for Indian Market. Today’s launch of Microsoft Online Services follows the success of Hosted Exchange and Hosted Dynamics (ERP) in India which are also available on a subscription basis through a 3rd party partner. Over the last 5 years, Microsoft has made rapid strides to make S+S a part of our solutions strategy because we believe it is really the combination of on-premise and web based access that can provide enterprises the optimal choice of using and paying for software as they wish to. The industry too is converging to this middle ground approach – from earlier staunch ‘web only’ positions.

What it is ?
Microsoft Online services essentially consist of offerings ideal for organizations who do not have messaging and collaboration capabilities like Microsoft Exchange Online [e-mail] or SharePoint Online [portals and collaboration]. The key advantage of Online Services is that it will allow businesses to stay in touch with customers, associates and teams across geographic boundaries round the clock and provide instant access to information, thereby enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Businesses can now save upto 50% of their IT-related costs with the launch of these services.

A free trial is offered now to experience the potential impact which will be on business. It is available before its commercial launch in October 2009. The trials are available at http://www.microsoft.com/india/onlineservices.