HOUSTON USA: Stephen Elop, president of the Microsoft Business Division, announced new pricing, packaging and partner compensation details for Microsoft Online Services.

Microsoft Corp. is introducing two new suites of subscription services as part of the Microsoft Online Services family. The new offerings are tailored to meet the needs of the entire workforce, from employees who use a PC infrequently to information workers who require advanced capabilities.

"Today we are taking an important next step in delivering Microsoft Online Services, and we're doing so with a broad set of Microsoft partners, that are crucial to bringing this solution to our customers," Elop said at the annual Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference in Houston. "Microsoft Online Services is a key component of the software plus services initiative, and we're seeing customers, partners and even competitors embrace this flexible approach to the cloud."

Microsoft Online Services delivers enterprise-class Microsoft software as subscription services to businesses of all sizes hosted by Microsoft and sold with partners, and include Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft Office SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office Communications Online, Microsoft Office Live Meeting, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online.

Right features at right price
Microsoft Online Services is priced to meet the diverse needs of today's workers and provide businesses with a cost-effective means to equip their work force with the tools they need.

Microsoft is introducing Exchange Online Deskless Worker and SharePoint Online Deskless Worker. These new offerings are designed to meet the needs of deskless workers, those people who typically spend a small portion of their workday using a computer but still need to communicate and collaborate with colleagues and partners.

A Deskless Worker Suite, including Exchange Online Deskless Worker and SharePoint Online Deskless Worker, will be available for $3 (US) per user, per month. Customers can also subscribe to each service independently. Exchange Online Deskless Worker will provide e-mail, calendars, global address lists, anti-virus and anti-spam filters, as well as Outlook Web Access Light for access to company e-mail. SharePoint Online Deskless Worker will provide easy access to SharePoint portal and team sites and search functionality, giving employees read-only access to important information such as company policies, training and benefits.

For information workers, businesses can provide an online business productivity suite of Microsoft's enterprise-class communication and collaboration software as a subscription service. The suite includes the following:
• Exchange Online for desktop and mobile e-mail and calendars with Outlook Web Access and full Office Outlook integration
• Office SharePoint Online for portals, collaboration, search and customized team sites
• Office Communications Online for instant messaging and presence
• Office Live Meeting for Web conferencing and videoconferencing

The suite will be available for $15 per user, per month (U.S.). Customers can also subscribe to each service independently.