Microsoft Office Goes Online

Already being hotly debated in the blogosphere (for example, at Lifehacker), Microsoft’s announcement today is sure to be a game changer no matter which side you are on. (If you even believe there are sides). Today, Microsoft announced "Microsoft Office Live Workspace", a web-based feature of Microsoft Office that will let you access your documents online anywhere and easily share those files with others. Currently, this anywhere-access includes Word, Excel and PowerPoint files. (Sound familiar?) The documents can be edited on any internet-connected computer with Microsoft Office installed and can be reviewed and commented on any device that has web access. Collaboration is a key aspect of Microsoft Office Live Workspace - the documents can be easily shared by sending an email, inviting the recipient to the password-protected workspace. For larger companies with Microsoft Office deployments exceeding 5,000 users, Microsoft will also host the data center software for email (Exchange Online), workgroup collaboration (SharePoint Online), and IM (Communications Online) and provide those services as online services. This new strategy, called "Software + Services," is rooted in a belief that the best way to compete in this arena is a blended offering - the features and capabilities of a robust software product (like Microsoft Office) combined with the freedom and "everywhere-ness" of web applications.

As I listen to the reactions to this and other, similar announcements about online office suites, I get the sense that blogosphere commenters are reacting based on how useful (or not) the suite sounds to them on a personal level. I can see that, for many people, using a robust system like Microsoft Office to keep a grocery list and a spreadsheet of household expenses could be considered overkill. But what I don’t hear in the blogosphere is the silent (majority?) of I.T. professionals, decision makers, CIOs, and CTOs. Maybe they are too busy with system maintenance to comment on blogs? Well then, for them, Office Online is an appealing alternative. In a business where Microsoft Office is de facto, Office Online’s collaboration aspect will actually reduce costs, improve control, and guarantee compliance so the I.T. guys and gals can focus on other things.

And with that radical opinion, I’m hinting at some things to come over here at sarahintampa.com in the near future. Over the next few months, you are going to see some new blogs here, as well as a site overhaul in terms of look & feel. I, Ms. SarahInTampa, will continue to bring you the "tech news you can use" without all the jargon. My posts will still focus on technology and how it fits into your personal life. Nothing new here - think social networking, web apps, music, and yes, maybe even a little online office suite news. However, the missing voice, let’s call it "Tech at Work" for now, will also be present to show the other side to this coin, like that which I just presented to you in that last paragraph: tech news you can use in business. And that will just be the tip of the iceberg! I hope with this little teaser of what’s to come, your interest is peaked. All I can promise is this: stay subscribed and you won’t be disappointed.

Full Disclosure: I blog for Microsoft’s Channel 10 but my career path has been in the I.T. department of medium-sized companies for several years now. I currently work in the financial industry. Google Docs will be used there when…swines take flight, the devil wears a parka, etc.