IT abroad: Microsoft Office 365 cloud service prepares for June launch

Beta test of Microsoft Office 365 cloud service intended for businesses is in full swing.

The platform links together the most popular and asked-for solutions Microsoft Office, SharePoint, Exchange and Lync. “Cloud” service will provide access to necessary programs and files from anywhere and any device having Internet access. Businesses will get e-mail, voice mail, enterprise social networking, instant messaging, Web portals, voiceconferencing and videoconferencing etc. Office 365 is intended, first and foremost, for companies which do not want to spend money on server support.

The beta test of Office 365 has brought together over 100 000 customers. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said the launch of the service’s final version was due in June.