CeBIT: Microsoft Launches Cloud Tools For Mobile Workers

Microsoft has bundled some of its existing online business services into two new packages: a new Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) and another called Deskless Worker Suite.

The two new bundles, announced this week at the CeBIT technology show in Hanover, Germany, will become available later this year.

The BPOS services consists of Microsoft Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online, and Office Live Meeting.

The Deskless Worker Suite is designed for mobile workers who spend time out of the office. The suite consists of a hosted version of Exchange Online Deskless Worker and SharePoint Online Deskless Worker.

Designed for simultaneous use in both cloud computing and regular workplace environments, Microsoft said it now regards Internet services and local applications as a single unit.

“The Business Productivity Online Services offering is designated for companies seeking enterprise quality software delivered as a service,” said Microsoft spokesman Steven Lombardi. “The package is not simply a bundling of existing services – they are hosted versions of Microsoft’s communication and collaboration technology and a new offering altogether.

“Since they are services, they are continually updated. Also, there isn’t yet feature parity between the hosted versions and the servers – Microsoft is still working towards that,” Lombardi said.

More than 90 percent of the world’s business computers already use some version of the Windows operating systems and only slightly fewer using Microsoft Office as a business suite.