This launch is part of Microsoft’s Software plus Services strategy which aims to provide flexibility and choice of accessing and using software in a flexible model, i.e. both on premise and off the Internet as a service or as a combination of both. “In today’s competitive global market businesses need cost effective technology that allows flexibility and adds value to their organizations. The alternative delivery model of Microsoft Online Services will give businesses streamlined communication with high availability, comprehensive security and simplified IT management. Customers who have already started using the services are realizing savings from reduced hardware and software investments and are also benefitting from flexible payment models. In a nutshell, it allows them to do more with less”, said Mr. Stephen Elop, President, Microsoft Business Group.

Microsoft Online Services Ready Reckoner

What: E-mail, collaborate, conference, IM facility online on a pay as you go basis

Where to access: www.microsoft.com/india/onlineservices

The Microsoft Online Services product family offers Exchange Online (for e-mail) and Office SharePoint Online (portals and collaboration) available separately or as a suite together with Office Live Meeting (for conferencing), Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services and Microsoft Office Communications Online (for instant messaging and presence). The services will be available in India from November 7, 2009 onwards.

Today both enterprises and SMBs in India are exploring online or hybrid models in order to realize improved bottomline. According to a study by Brown & Mohan the market for hosted email will grow at a CAGR of over 50 percent, and over 28 percent of email solutions will run on the hosted model by the year 2012. Further the enterprise segment will leverage a combination of on-premise and cloud-based solutions to bring about efficiencies and consistency in experience across diverse locations. The SMB segment is likely to embrace the cloud model even more readily to help them grow business and reduce IT-related capex.

Customers in India have experienced reduced IT costs

The commercial availability of Microsoft Online Services follows a trial launch announced in July 2009. More than 1800 customers in India have tried out Microsoft Online Services during this period, and have experienced increased operational efficiency. The savings are expected to return a potential impact between 10 to 50 percent on IT costs. In fact globally, Microsoft has already sold more than one million seats for Microsoft Online Services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Office Communications Online.

Indian customers speak about Microsoft online Services

Gunjan Sangoi, DGM - R&D, GEPIL (IT Division) - We plan to switch from using Google Apps to Microsoft Online Services solution, which is also our first mail server. We think it will give us excellent results as Microsoft products are user friendly and offer better integration with existing infrastructure. Further, Online Services combine e-mail (Exchange) with IM, Presence (Office Communications Server) and collaboration portals (Microsoft SharePoint Server) that provide an integrated and holistic collaboration solution.

Prasad Watve, System Administrator, Performix Solutions Pvt. Ltd. - We have used Microsoft Exchange Online Service and are impressed with features such as Global Address List (GAL) and the one window administration that it offers. We are particularly happy with the low cost of implementation and maintenance of Online Services that saves us a lot of time and effort.

Jasdev Singh, Sr. IT Manager, MRC India- Microsoft Online Services is an innovative product and is convenient to use for IT administration and users both.

Ecosystem sees business opportunity with Microsoft Online Services Since July 2009, more than 100 partners in India have signed on for Microsoft Online Services to market, customize and provide consulting, migration and managed services to both SMBs and enterprises in India. “Microsoft Online Services is a clear winner in helping Infosys deliver reliable business services such as desktop and mobile e-mail, calendaring and contacts, instant-messaging, audio and video conferencing and shared workspaces”, said Mr. Saju Kutty, Practice Manager, Microsoft Cloud Computing Practice, Infosys Technologies.

“The SMB sector today is poised for growth and views IT as a strategic tool to achieve business goals. We are committed to innovate and constantly bring out cutting edge IT solutions to empower SMBs. Microsoft’s Online Services will further expand our services portfolio and we believe HCL’s scale and reach in the country will further facilitate the adoption of Online Services.” added Mr -George Paul, Executive Vice President, HCL Infosystems Ltd.

“Wipro has created a strong platform to address the requirements emerging in the Cloud computing space. We’re seeing strong customer demand for migration, customization and integration services. Microsoft Online Services gives us the agility to address this demand with fewer resources”, said Mr. Venkatraghavan.S.K, General Manager, MSBU, Wipro Ltd.

“No other company matches the flexibility and the power of choice that Microsoft provides—the power of choice to select how customers deploy software either on premise, in the cloud, or a combination of both, and, of course, the power of choice in how the software is licensed across a wide variety of options. The success of Microsoft Online Services depends on our partners, who will sell, customize and provide consulting, migration and managed services for customers”, said Mr. Elop. “While the smaller customer may choose to opt for the basic offering, in the mid-market upwards, partners have a tremendous opportunity in India, offering customers enterprise-class customized software delivered on a predictable, pay-as-you-go basis. In the end, both customers and partners win” he added.