O2 business customers will be the first to benefit from the partnership with access to Office 365, Microsoft’s cloud productivity solution. The platform combines Office desktop programmes with cloud-based versions of Microsoft’s next-generation services such as Exchange Online, a hosted enterprise messaging service.
O2 claims the solution will reduce costs by removing the need to purchase software because customers will access the services on a subscription basis through O2.
“A key benefit of cloud computing to business is that technology ceases to be a capital expense and instead becomes an operating cost allowing companies to pay only for what they use, reducing overall costs,” said Martin Cullen, director of Microsoft small and medium businesses.
The Office 365 service from O2 is already available to some customers participating in trials with plans to offer the full service to businesses later this year.
Laurent Lachaal, senior analyst Ovum explained how this partnership will give Microsoft access to a larger customer base of small businesses: "This agreement is a good example of Microsoft reaching out to wider audience through partners like O2 and will help expand Microsoft's marketfootprint even further."
