Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) announced today the release date for the latest version of its office suite —Office 365. The journey from MS Office to Office 365 is one of Microsoft’s many success stories; from rebranding the suite to changing its offerings, all in a rapidly changing environment where consumers' technological needs are always evolving.
We at Bidness Etc are interested in finding out whether the company can do the same for the upcoming version of its most popular product, Windows. With PC sales having dropped significantly in the past few years, Windows has been facing headwinds. Microsoft tried adapting to the changing industry with its Windows 8, but the move did not bode as well as expected.
Below, Bidness Etc takes a look at some of the latest offerings from Microsoft's Office 365, and provides an update on the much anticipated Windows 9.
Office 365
The Office 365 is a cloud-based online productivity and software plus service suite, which can be used across multiple platforms including Windows, Android, and iOS. It includes office productivity applications such as Excel and Word, in addition to cloud services such as Exchange Online and Lync Online among others. The product was originally launched to cater to consumer demand for a more integrated service.
This week, Microsoft announced it is revamping its Office 365 offerings for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). The software will be launched on October 1. Microsoft claims the new iteration of its highly popular office suite has been developed primarily on the basis of feedback provided by existing Office 365 users.
The new Office 365 is said to offer greater value for money compared to previous offerings. The new Business Premium plan, which has the same features as the current Midsize Business plan, is being offered at $12.5 per user per person, compared to its current price, which stands at $15 per user per person. Office 365 Business Essentials replaces Office 365 Small Business and is priced at $5 per user per month, same as before, but offers a higher cap of 300 (Office 365 Small Business had a cap of 25).
Office 365 is a clear demonstration of how Microsoft has transformed its products according to consumer need, drawing strength from its flagship products, as it channelizes MS Office into Office 365.
Source: bidnessetc
