Microsoft launches Office 365, glosses over cloud limitations

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer pitched his answer to Google Apps Tuesday as Microsoft announced worldwide availability of Office 365, but made no mention of the company’s biggest cloud rival or any of the limitations in cloud computing generally or Microsoft products specifically.

 

Best Microsoft MCTS Training, Microsoft MCITP Training at certkingdom.com

 

Office 365 will likely attract a big audience, since a huge number of businesses use Microsoft products already. But the Office 365 beta, which is now over, engendered some customer complaints, and Microsoft has deliberately held some functionality back from its cloud service to avoid cannibalizing software license sales.

FIERCE RIVALS: The 10 bloodiest battles Microsoft and Google fought in 2010

Some beta testers complained about limitations in importing contacts for shared global address lists, and the requirement to use the complicated PowerShell to perform tasks they felt should be simple.

At a fancy event in New York City, Ballmer spoke to media, analysts and customers, revealing little that wasn’t known already but providing a look at potential use cases for Office 365. The cloud service wraps together many pieces of software: Exchange, SharePoint, Lync, and of course, Office, in both on-premises and Web-based versions.

While few would argue that the rival Google Apps offers more functionality than on-premises Microsoft Office software, Microsoft’s online versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote are limited compared to Microsoft’s packaged tools and perhaps even compared to Google’s cloud offering.

Office Web Apps does a better job importing Microsoft Office documents than Google Docs does, but it lacks the auto-save functionality of Google Docs. Additionally, the ability to let multiple users edit documents simultaneously, provided in the browser by Google, is not offered with Microsoft’s Web-based versions of Word and PowerPoint. The rich clients of Word and PowerPoint are required for co-editing, even though Microsoft does provide browser-based co-editing in Excel and OneNote.

“Office Web Apps is purposely lightweight and is designed so that it will not cannibalize Office Pro revenue,” Gartner analyst Matt Cain says in an email interview. “If Google makes further inroads, Microsoft will clearly beef up Office Web Apps to be more competitive with [Google] Apps. The last thing that Microsoft wants to see is a diminishment in the Office franchise, and Office Web Apps is the instrument Microsoft can tune to combat Google Apps.”

Cert-Kingdom 70-680 Exam Guide

Announcing an all-new SELF-PACED TRAINING KIT designed to help maximize your performance on 70-680, the required exam for the new Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Windows 7, Configuration certification. This 2-in-1 kit includes the official Microsoft study guide, plus practice tests on CD to help you assess your skills. It comes packed with the tools and features exam candidates want most – including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from expert, exam-certified authors; and customizable testing options.

 


Best Microsoft MCTS Training, Microsoft MCITP Training at certkingdom.com

It also provides real-world scenarios, case study examples, and troubleshooting labs to give you the skills and expertise you can use on the job.Work at your own pace through the lessons and lab exercises. This official study guide covers installing, upgrading, and migrating to Windows 7; configuring network connectivity, applications, and devices; implementing backup and recovery; configuring User Account Control (UAC), mobility options, and new features such as DirectAccess and BranchCache; and managing system updates.Then assess yourself using the 200 practice questions on CD, featuring multiple customizable testing options to meet your specific needs. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on discrete objectives. You get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers – including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get an exam discount voucher – making this kit an exceptional value and a great career investment.

CertKingdom Microsoft MCITP Certification is written to the highest standards of technical accuracy and provided by certified experts. CertKingdom is the leader in supplying certification candidates with current and up-to-date 70-680 Exam Question for Certification and Exam preparation. The resources of CertKingdom are constantly being revised and updated for relevance and accuracy. Prepare for your certification today! Select the dumps you want to begin your training with, and pass your next exam. Because most of the products are updated monthly, you will be guaranteed the best resources with market-fresh quality and reliability.

CertKingdom offers demo for Microsoft 70-680 exam. Besides, CertKingdom 70-680 study guide will introduce you to the core logic of various subjects Microsoft practice tests so that you not only learn, but you also understand various technologies and subjects.