MICROSOFT OFFICE 365 ENTERS PUBLIC BETA IN SINGAPORE
Strategic partnership with StarHub gives even more Singapore businesses access to breakthrough productivity service
Singapore — April 20, 2011 — Microsoft today announced the public beta of Microsoft Office 365, the company’s next generation cloud productivity service for businesses of all sizes. Office 365 brings together Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online and Lync Online in an always-up-to-date cloud service. The public beta allows millions of people in more countries and more languages to try Office 365 for the first time.
Businesses in Singapore will be able to trial for free, the beta version of Office 365 which will be up and running quickly and seamlessly, following the signing of a groundbreaking syndication partnership between Microsoft and local telecommunications and internet service provider, StarHub, as part of its Syndication Partner Program. The second of its kind in the Asia market, the partnership will allow small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) in Singapore to purchase Office 365 bundled as one of StarHub’s cost effective business broadband plans.
“With Office 365, moving to the cloud doesn’t require people to change the way they work, because it’s based on the familiar, industry leading productivity tools people know and trust. Employees get new ways to work together with ease, on virtually any device or mobile phone, using familiar applications, such as Office, that they already know and love. In parallel, business owners get the reliability, security and IT controls they need, with the flexibility and cost savings that only the cloud can deliver,” says Kevin Turner, Chief Operating Officer, Microsoft Corporation.
Seamless entry into the cloud for local Singapore businesses
As a leading info-communications provider, StarHub will build on its strong ties with the SMB community to accelerate the adoption of the new service. Through StarHub, customers will be offered a comprehensive end-to-end solution which includes its quality broadband service, the network set-up and migration, billing and technical support.
“We are delighted to be selected by Microsoft to be the syndication partner in Singapore,” says Tan Tong Hai, Chief Operating Officer, StarHub. “We believe that the combination of StarHub’s quality broadband services and the support and backing of Microsoft means that customers now have the best Office 365 service and experience possible. This one-stop shop approach makes our partnership the first truly compelling cloud proposition that companies in Singapore will find hard to refuse.”
“The cloud is the next big transformation for business, and Microsoft is thrilled to partner with StarHub to lead the way with Office 365. Cloud computing will accelerate opportunities for small and medium businesses and enable customers to improve their business productivity and bottom line,” commented Jessica Tan, Managing Director, Microsoft Singapore. “With Office 365, SMBs can now access enterprise-ready business solutions at a predictable monthly cost, on a user pay as you go basis. I’m sure we’ll see some good adoption momentum in the next 12 months.”
A little help from the Cloud makes a big difference to small businesses
With Office 365, professionals and small businesses can be up and running with Office Web Apps, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Lync Online and an external website in just 15 minutes, for as little as S$8 per user, per month1.
“Customers are moving to the cloud to gain access to technology anytime, anywhere and on any device; saving time, money and energy. With Office 365, Singapore’s SMBs can now have access to the IT tools and technologies that were once only available to enterprises with large IT budgets and a dedicated IT staff. This groundbreaking technology means businesses of all sizes can now focus less on maintaining and managing their infrastructure, and more on improving business productivity and their bottom line,” concluded Turner.
Office 365 was introduced in limited beta last year, bringing together Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online and Lync Online in an always-up-to-date cloud service. Since its introduction, more than 150,000 organizations, from independent professionals to large enterprises, have signed up to test it.
“Microsoft’s best-in-class cloud technology has allowed us to enjoy the same powerful business productivity tools as larger enterprises, while also giving our growing organization the flexibility and scalability to stay competitive in today’s connected marketplace. We’re excited about the Beta release of Office 365 and are confident it’ll play a key role in taking the performance of our business to the next level ,” said Bobby Jimenez, Chief Technology Officer of Sindicatum Carbon Capital, one of the local SMB customers using Microsoft’s business productivity solutions.
“As a climate change and sustainable resources company, we have a comprehensive corporate sustainability policy. This is crucial to both our investment approach and ability to exist as a business, so moving our technology into energy efficient solutions in the cloud is important to us,” added Jimenez.
Availability
Office 365 will launch worldwide later this year. Today, people can secure a spot in the Office 365 public beta and learn more about the service at http://www.Office365.com, follow Office 365 on Twitter (@Office365), Facebook (Office 365), and the Office 365 blog at http://community.office365.com for the latest information.
Business customers interested in participating in the Microsoft Office 365 Beta with StarHub should call email StarHub at biz@starhub.com.
About Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 brings together cloud versions of our most trusted communications and collaboration products with the latest version of our desktop software and companion Web applications. Office 365 is designed to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes — from independent professionals to small, midsize and large businesses and from government agencies to educational institutions — helping them save time, money and free up valued resources.
What’s Included:
Microsoft Office
The world’s leading productivity tool on the desktop (Office Professional Plus) and on the Web (Office Web Apps) now seamlessly connected and delivered with cloud services — for a comprehensive productivity experience across the PC, phone and browser
Exchange Online
Cloud-based e-mail, calendar and contacts with the most current anti-virus and anti-spam solutions. Includes the ability to get e-mail on virtually any mobile phone, built-in archiving and discovery capabilities, and options for voicemail in the inbox.
SharePoint Online
Cloud-based service to enable document collaboration and sharing of business information with colleagues, partners and customers
Lync Online
Cloud-based IM, presence, and online meeting experiences with desktop sharing, and voice and video conferencing.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About StarHub
StarHub is Singapore’s fully-integrated info-communication company, offering a full range of information, communications and entertainment services for both consumer and corporate markets. StarHub operates Singapore’s fastest two-way HSPA+ mobile network that delivers up to 21Mbps for downlink to complement its nation-wide GSM network, and an island-wide HFC network that delivers multi-channel cable TV services (including High Definition Television and on-demand services) as well as ultra-high speed residential broadband services. StarHub also operates an extensive fixed business network that provides a wide range of data, voice and wholesale services. Over Singapore’s fibre-based Next Generation Nationwide Broadband Network, StarHub offers a broad range of home and business broadband plans along with a host of advanced media-rich value-added services.
Launched in 2000, StarHub has become one of Singapore’s most innovative info-communications providers, and the pioneer in ‘hubbing’ – the ability to deliver unique integrated and converged services to all its customers. StarHub, listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange since October 2004, is a component stock of the Straits Times Index and the MCSI Singapore Free Index. For more information about StarHub, visit www.starhub.com.
About Sindicatum Carbon Capital
Singapore-headquartered Sindicatum Carbon Capital Group (“SCC”) is a climate change and global
sustainable resources company with offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Jakarta, London, New Delhi, Taiyuan and
Washington D.C.
SCC produces clean energy and environmental commodities (such as carbon credits) through the
abatement or displacement of Greenhouse Gases (“GHGs”) from a global portfolio of projects developed
on a principal basis.
Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://www.microsoft.com/news. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may hve changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/news/contactpr.mspx.
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