While Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) took the wraps off its next-generation office suite this week with the release of Office 2010 in technical preview, it also offered some hints at its soon to be revamped competitor to Google Apps in the online office suite arena: Microsoft Office Web.
Office Web is on a different release track than Office 2010 and is scheduled for technical preview release next month, but Jason Brommet, senior product manager, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Canada, did offer a few nuggets.
The revamped Office Web will support the Firefox and Safari browsers in addition to Internet Explorer, a seamless transition is promised between the online and offline worlds, and while they wouldn’t share details, Microsoft said they are looking at compatibility with other online services.
While he definitely sees channel opportunity around the Office 2010 suite, it’s the Office Web online suite of applications that has excited Michael Herman, solution architect with Microsoft-partner Envision IT of Mississauga, Ont.
Herman said he sees Office Web as a particularly good fit for the public sector, because of the ease of deployment, maintenance and access. Learn more in this CDN video: