Microsoft Office 365 Enters Public Beta Stage

Posted 04/18/2011 at 8:36am | by Paul Lilly

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Microsoft introduced its cloud-based productivity suite, Office 365, in limited beta last year, giving small businesses access to always up-to-date versions of Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Lync Online from remote locations. According to Microsoft, the private beta was such a hit that the Redmond software company decided to open it up to the public, expanding Office 365 availability to millions more people in nearly twice as many countries and languages.

"I work out of two offices, and Office 365 saves me the hassle of tracking book files between so many different places," said David Kroenke, who has authored more than 15 undergraduate business technology textbooks over the past few decades. "I don't have to wonder where I put everything, because it's always available to me, no matter where I am."

Microsoft on Sunday also introduced the Office 365 Marketplace for customers to find apps and services to extend and customize Office 365. The Marketplace is now live and contains over 100 apps and 400 professional services from more than 16,000 Microsoft cloud partners.

Office 365 is on track to launch later this year, Microsoft says. You can learn more about Office 365 and join the public beta here.