Microsoft, Vodafone Team Up To Offer Mobile Online Services

Mar 5, 2009 4:47 PM, MD&D News Staff

According to a recent agreement, Vodafone Group Plc will offer businesses a single communications and collaboration solution comprising fixed and mobile voice and data, customer equipment and handsets, and Microsoft Online Services. Hosted by Microsoft and available through Vodafone, Microsoft Online Services deliver enterprise-class communications and collaboration software as subscription services.

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These services include Microsoft Exchange Online for e-mail through the PC, phone, and browser; Microsoft SharePoint Online for portals, collaboration, search, and customized team sites; Microsoft Office Communications Online for instant messaging and presence; and Microsoft Office Live Meeting for Web conferencing and video conferencing.

Available now in the United States, Microsoft Online Services will be available in other markets in the first half of 2009. Vodafone will initially offer the combined solution in Germany and Spain beginning later in 2009. Following the German and Spanish launches, Vodafone will offer the solution in additional markets.

“The demands on our customers are changing dramatically in today’s complex business and economic environment,” said Tom Craig, global business services director, Vodafone Group. “By combining Vodafone’s fixed and mobile communication services with Microsoft Online Services we can provide all the elements of a fully hosted communications solution, delivering the real benefits of agility, flexibility, productivity, and choice that our customers are demanding.”

According to the companies, the fully hosted Vodafone and Microsoft services will help reduce routine maintenance and management tasks, allowing IT staff to concentrate on more business-critical objectives. Customers will be able to take advantage of the range of services offered, with one bill and one provider, making the experience fast, easy, and effective. Vodafone will support the customer directly, while Microsoft will host Microsoft Online Services in its datacenters.

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