Microsoft Takes Office Into The Cloud, Challenging Google Apps

Today's launch of Microsoft Office Web Apps takes the company a step closer to fulfilling its cloud computing strategy by delivering on-demand, hosted versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and OneNote. Described as a Technical Preview, the browser-based, lightweight versions of its popular Office suite are open for trial and feedback through an invitation-only process. The official release will be in the first half of 2010. Interested parties can sign up for the beta version.

This is an important step for Microsoft as it tries to execute its strategy for its cash cows - Office and Windows - amidst the rise of cloud computing and competing workplace productivity tools and application development platforms, from companies like Google, Salesforce.com and Zoho. It's a field that's getting more crowded every day.

As Michael Schultz, director of marketing for Microsoft Office Services, explains it today's launch is a key component of the company's goal to deliver a seamless "productivity experience across the PC, mobile phone and browser." In addition, users will find that Office Web Apps and Microsoft Office will be completely integrated, allowing users to "save documents to the Web directly from Office desktop applications." Equally compelling is the fact the choice of browser - Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari - is up to the user, as well as whether or not they run a PC or a Mac.

Schultz goes on to describe a couple of his favorite features, beyond the ability to create, edit, view, and share documents, presentations and spreadsheets all via a browser:

Personally, I'm excited about the co-authoring capabilities in the Excel Web App, which allow people to work together in a spreadsheet, and access and display a PowerPoint slideshow - even if Office isn't installed on the PC. The publish capability is another innovation, allowing Office documents to be embedded in blogs, social networking sites, and other Web sites. This the first in a series of updates you'll see from Microsoft as we approach the broad beta timeframe for Office Web Apps, so stay tuned!

Stay tuned indeed...