Microsoft launched it’s range of Office 365 products in to the market place in June of this year. So far the response has been over all positive with only a few issues of where data is stored and some errors with the subscription verification module. Many businesses are especially utilising the cloud computing power of Share point built into Office 365. This allows workers to better collaborate with documents, keep track of changes, easily view earlier versions, and also advanced library check in and check out functions with easy document management.

Offline Management

Microsoft Office 365 is billed as a contender to Google Apps. Generally though it appears Microsoft has the upper hand with more features, better support with other Office users, and also the ability to work off line, then sync the changes made when next connected to the Internet. Additionally users can utilise the ability to make any big syncs in the office, then work off line (or without syncing) while on roaming Internet. This strengthens the ability and functionality of the cloud computing system as users don’t need to be connected all the time.

Future

Microsoft plans to keep evolving it’s 365 suite and utilise the power of cloud computing. The main issues of data security and management are as always prevalent and also the pricing, while great, may be viewed expensive by large corporations who already have internal IT staff, servers, and such so they can easily just purchase the usual Office products and utilise other off line and user methods. For small businesses the Office 365 range can offer a great advantage and save in expensive IT infrastructure and management.