Each of these tools integrates the IM into the main directory services, enables full contextuality of a person’s state and also enables higher levels of security than found in base consumer-focused products.
The company has said the server-based "Excel Services" abilities will come as part of a future version of the company's SharePoint technology. Today, Microsoft has two different products using the SharePoint name.
The three-year Enterprise Agreement has been done with Software Assurance and covers licences for Windows XP, Office Professional Enterprise Edition, Windows, Exchange, Systems Management Server and Sharepoint Services.
Solutions in the same vein have been made available before: the basic version of Microsoft SharePoint bundled with Windows Server 2003 enables some document sharing, and Microsoft's new Office suite will have enhanced collaboration features.
This self-serve functionality will enable broader use of BI but this can only happen if end users can easily learn, deploy and effectively manage a BI application without a dependency on IT. Microsoft's BI strategy also extends to combining Office...
For $15 per month per person, the business productivity suite offers an Outlook-integrated Exchange Online for email and calendars, Office SharePoint Online collaboration, messaging via Office Communications Online, and Office Live Meeting video...