Microsoft Offers Free Trial of SaaS Offerings

Microsoft India has announced a two-month trial for its SaaS offering for businesses called the Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS). Users can try the offerings at Microsoft India’s Website at no charge before its commercial launch in October 2009. Microsoft’s BPOS suite includes Exchange, SharePoint, Office Communications Server, Office LiveMeeting and CRM Live.

“Over 80 percent of the businesses in India are SMBs that are increasingly looking to use world class IT for better business productivity. With tools such as email and collaboration becoming increasingly a must-have in this segment, the pay-as-you-go affordability and freedom from IT administration, our Online Services offer the much needed respite from financial and logistical hurdles,” said Sanjay Manchanda, Director, Microsoft Business Division.

Online Services such as Exchange Online (for e-mail) and Office SharePoint Online (portals and collaboration) are available separately or as a suite together with Office Live Meeting (for conferencing), Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services and Microsoft Office Communications Online (for instant messaging and presence).

Microsoft’s SaaS strategy has three components—Windows Live for consumers and small businesses; the second is the hosted SaaS offerings where third-party companies will host the mailing, collaboration and CRM solutions and offer it to the market, while the last piece is the Online Services (BPOS) which will be hosted and delivered by Microsoft.

Microsoft expects Online Services to offer significant opportunities to partners that can sell, customize and provide consulting, migration, and managed services to small and medium businesses.