How Microsoft is battling Apple and Google inside public agencies and schools

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Microsoft is meeting with hundreds of public officials in Redmond starting this morning for its U.S. Public Sector CIO Summit, trying to make inroads for Windows 8, Office 365 and other new products from the company. The conference comes as Google Apps and Apple’s iPad make progress at schools and public agencies, creating new competition… Read More…

Microsoft revamps Office 365 for businesses as rivalry with Google intensifies

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Microsoft this morning released a new version of Office 365 for businesses and said the paid subscription service has become one of the fastest-growing businesses in the company’s history — now used by 20 percent of its largest customers, up from 15 percent a year ago. This is the latest step in the company’s move to… Read More…

Looking for a job at Google? Better know Microsoft Office

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Google’s momentum vs. Microsoft Office is in the news today: The New York Times reports that Google has scored “an impressive string of wins” during the past year with big companies opting for Google Apps and ditching Microsoft Office. The story highlights problems for Microsoft including higher prices and complex licensing. IDC analyst Melissa Webster tells the… Read More…

Cloud battle in Berkeley: Here’s why Cal chose Google Apps over Microsoft Office 365

University of California-Berkeley. Wikipedia Photo

Organizations everywhere are debating the best way to migrate systems to the cloud. And one of the biggest decisions that they face is the best cloud provider for their needs. The University of California-Berkeley just went through an exhaustive process to choose a new cloud-based email and calendar provider, weighing options from both Google Apps… Read More…

Microsoft opens Office subscriptions to masses, with app store — er, ‘marketplace’

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Microsoft this morning launched the public beta of “Office 365″ — a new subscription service that lets small businesses pay a monthly fee, rather than buy an up-front license, for programs including Office Web Apps, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and the Lync Online communications service. As part of the announcement, the company also rolled out… Read More…

Google Apps grows up with new ‘scheduled release’ option

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What, you didn’t want that amazing new Gmail feature rolled out to your 5,000 employees without warning? Google, doing its best to avoid situations like that — and to lure big companies away from Microsoft Office — this morning announced a new “scheduled release” option for IT departments that want some time to prepare for… Read More…