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Microsoft Clouds Do not Rain on small businesses – a comprehensive evaluation of Microsoft Online Services
Microsoft will SAASy
Flashback
Used to be the undisputed leader in the early days of computing, Microsoft never was so easy since the advent of the Internet. No matter hot new Internet technology, Microsoft was caught sleeping forever. Never was the innovative and ever lagging in terms of successful. Google beat them in the search and online advertising, Yahoo on IM and consumer email, Blogger, WordPress and Typepad were much better at blogging software, never even appeared in the field of social networks MySpace and Facebook with the decision of the henhouse.
But there are certain markets, especially in corporate markets, where Microsoft continued to choke to have a retainer to keep your jingle of cash registers, and a frenetic pace with that. These were the PC operating system market with its series of Windows, MS Office to Office, and his prize cash cows – MS Exchange and Sharepoint MS for messaging and collaboration of the company.
Now the software mentioned above are essential for every company, and back 5-10 years, Microsoft did, undoubtedly offer more robust solutions. In those days, as each body was considering the profitable segment of large commercial enterprises with thousands of users applications and IT budgets to explode, it was for the audience of these programs were developed. So, while Exchange and Sharepoint require dedicated servers complex implementations and dedicated IT people and maintain the system, nobody really mind, because those companies had mega money and extra staff.
The Present
But there was a segment that mind, the small to medium sized business (SMB) segment had no staff, or resources, nor the inclination. Since there are many alternatives were available or had to bear the load or without these technologies together. But in recent times, things have begun to change. In the past 3 years or so, a new approach has emerged, driven by improved technology and increased bandwidth – Software as a service approach. And its main market is the segment of small businesses of medium size.
In a recent survey conducted by SaaS Cutter Consortium, almost three quarters (72%) of respondents reported that they are using Web-based solutions to fill unmet needs. More than a quarter of respondents (28%) expect that these solutions will cut its costs by 20% -30%.
What is true that there is some skepticism at first on the viability of SaaS solutions, which is releasing some control and allowing the organization's critical data are in a third party provider of SAAS servers. But the benefits of this approach have been so overwhelming, and because providers such as salesforce.com and SAAS solutions HyperOffice effective through years, which the organizations at all levels, from small businesses to mega corporations have become.
Microsoft Views Catchup
With saturated business market, Microsoft has also been considering the relatively untapped small businesses to mid-size market over the past years. Considering the success of the SAAS with this segment, Microsoft has introduced a series of software features that are offered as a service in the past times, under the banner of Microsoft Office Live. But the real success story in this sector has been "led Exchange" and "Hosted SharePoint" solutions offered by vendors independent of Microsoft certified partners many. First, a little refresher:
What is Hosted Exchange (and how it differs from the Exchange Server)?
All companies need to email the company to its employees, and some productivity basic solutions to lubricate all working days (task management, calendars, address books). To cater to these universal needs, Microsoft Exchange Server developed, whose main features consist of e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks. The Exchange client front end through which employees access to all this information is often Outlook, but also supports Exchange-based access and mobile web (Outlook Web Access calls or OWA for short). But the application Exchange is not easy, since it includes the creation of a dedicated server, running a complex implementation of Exchange, plus additional for the anti spam implementations of anti-virus server security. In addition, a dedicated staff needs to be hired to oversee the system and make it work, and to manage a lot of complexities that may arise, since Exchange is a comprehensive solution.
Under Exchange Hosted however, all aspects of implementation and maintenance the implementation of Exchange servers are outsourced to specialist "hosted services" provider. Customers still get the most out of Exchange features – e-mail dedicated, shared calendars / contacts / tasks, and premium features such as web and mobile access to information (for usually at additional cost). But unlike an application in house, where everyone has access to Exchange through the local network, in this case it is accessed through Internet. This approach is especially beneficial for SMEs who are being saved the huge costs of implementation in the house instead of having to pay a subscription reasonable monthly.
What is Hosted SharePoint (and how it differs from SharePoint Server)?
In addition to the capabilities basic email, companies need the ability to manage the business information stored in documents, and the ability of employees to work together on this information. This is what SharePoint, collaboration based on Microsoft's browser and platform makes document management. It can be used to house website and create a business that includes shared workspaces and documents, as well as specialized applications such as task lists, discussion forums, wikis and blogs. But the power of Sharepoint is combined with its complexity. It is the application is less cumbersome and expensive than Exchange. On the other hand, is not user-friendly final. experts can not share their knowledge directly, but always have to go through intermediaries or IT, or training that takes time and diverts attention of skills. Knowledge is not dispersed freely throughout the organization but is suffocated by having to go through the IT bottleneck.
As than with Hosted Exchange, Sharepoint hosted on all aspects of the Sharepoint application of the company and management are outsourced to external suppliers. Customers can access all the features of SharePoint over the Internet, but for a reasonable monthly fee.
Microsoft Services Takes Big Dip
While this was substantial counter market, Microsoft was the sale of content such as Exchange and Sharepoint software products, and let its partners and suppliers to independent the hosting. But considering the SAAS market booming lately, and their future prospects, along with stiff competition from "alternative" collaboration and messaging offerings like Google Apps, Gmail and HyperOffice, MS, finally, October 2007, Microsoft finally took the plunge by announcing Hosted SharePoint and Exchange to companies with more than 5,000 seats – called Exchange Online and SharePoint Online. In February 2008, was a step further by opening up these services to all organizations, regardless of their size.
Hot News – Microsoft "Hosted service packages"
Continuing its rapid recent move, on July 8, 2008, Microsoft made another announcement, introducing a novel, if not controversial strategy. In addition to offering hosting services offerings singles, announced that early in 2009, but also offered them as "packages", a combination of services with a lower total cost.
Microsoft has introduced two "packages", titled Deskless suite and a suite Worker Information Worker. The Deskless Worker suite is priced at just $ 3 per user per month, and will include the Exchange services online, as well as read-only access to Sharepoint Services Online. This is presumably aimed at workers usually spend only a small part of their day in front of the computer. The set of information workers is priced at $ 15 per user per month and includes a full range of offerings including Exchange Online, Online Share and Live Meeting, Microsoft software web conferencing.
Evaluation
Great Solution?
At first glance, it appears that Microsoft has come out with an amazing offer. The entire range of Microsoft, the best of breed business applications, all in one, available in a very affordable monthly. Change Online for email, calendars, address books, management of tasks and access to Internet and mobile, SharePoint Online for collaboration and personalized portals for teams and partners, and LiveMeeting for carrying out conference audio and video with multiple participants no matter where they are. Everything made available to customers, providing a single, accessible to an impending $ 15.
A good opportunity to validate the parties – and where they have the right idea messagin, project collaboration, document management, sharing Outlook, even with meetings Online.
Think again
When something seems so perfect, it always makes sense for the guard, and look more closely. The first sentence is to reconsider – "one" or "all in one." Does this mean that all the great Microsoft offerings are integrated into a solution one, seamless, all aspects of communication with others? O "means something else.
Well, it means something else. All-in-one regards more all-in-one pricing. " The services remain exactly as they were, only cost less when purchased together. Individually, Hosted Microsoft Exchange is sold online for $ 10, $ 7.25 SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online for $ 2.50, and Office Live Meeting Online for $ 4.50. Thus, one set of prices of $ 15 means a saving of 9.50 dollars per user per month.
Moreover, even the separate components of Microsoft's new offerings are bare bones solution, the implementation and configuration, before a viable constitution. This effort is smaller sized businesses not are equipped to do or want to do. Although the prices of Microsoft packages can be very tempting, one of the main reasons companies go to "service stay "Vendors in the first place is that in addition they also offer hosting managed services. All aspects of configuration, integration and maintenance are their problems. If all components – Exchange, Sharepoint, Office Communications and LiveMeeting; must be integrated into a single perfect solution that will require a massive application.
So, while Microsoft's offering looks attractive from afar, is not the end to end, ready to use business solutions are really looking for. Microsoft offers all the pieces of the puzzle, but are kept separate pieces do not fit. Even the entire workforce at miserable prices Deskless has attracted much criticism. The verdict is that it caters to an imaginary class of workers who only need read-only access to company information. Although workers in the real life of this class will not have access to enterprise systems as much information, often interact with the system critically. An example is one nurse who may need to keep stock of current drug hospital.
Hosted Services Provider Perspective
Using Microsoft jumped in the fray, and in this very competitive prices, traditional providers (Microsoft Solution Providers) Exchange and SharePoint hosting is undoubtedly the sense heat. Configuring Microsoft infrastructure on their servers, and is being sold as a service that provides a steady revenue stream and permanent. But Microsoft that provide these services will directly reduce their pockets and who can hardly hope to compete with the prices of Microsoft.
Microsoft is aware that the last announcement stay pinched bad service partners, and with the intention not to cut the image completely, made another announcement aimed to keep them interested. Members can sell Microsoft offer new hosted service and pocket a percentage of current income. Members receive 12 percent per user, monthly, in advance for a first year contract, and 6 percent per user, per month for the subscription fee ongoing. So in the first year, hosted services vendors will receive 18 percent margins the subscription value and 6 percent for subsequent years. But despite this carrot, the partners are still smarting because Microsoft resale services not be as profitable as in implementations leave out a premise.
Some Microsoft solution providers are concerned that this places them in the way Feast or Famine of trying to find the next consulting project to generate income compared to recurring revenue streams associated with the maintenance and Exhange servers running SharePoint.
There is hope
Although hosted service providers that provide skeleton Hosted Microsoft products going to feel the competition from the new offerings from Microsoft, but not just some sellers to do just that. A vital part of what these companies has always been an added value to offer integration, consulting and management services on top of the base host Microsoft products to its customers. And this need for integration, consulting and management remains, and that Microsoft will offer basic accommodation for their products, while end users need product ready for use, without the hassle of implementing and managing the application.
Thus, these companies can continue doing what they have been doing all Time and continue to attract customers – Exchange and Sharepoint hosting on their servers, and build solutions on top of it and offered to customers in services. Alternatively, can resell Microsoft's hosted services by adding value added services on top of this, and attract a higher price. An example might be to offer email support on the iPhone and Blackberry which stripped Hosted Exchange does not. Or a company could integrate all components of the Microsoft – Sharepoint Exchange, LiveMeeting and Communications Office, in a single perfect solution to a centralized console.
The search for truth "Complete" Solutions
Even with this announcement, Microsoft did not quite deliver what it seemed to offer, which sought to address the need however, is extremely relevant. The need a true end to end, integrated messaging, collaboration and web conferencing solution, with each connection of components to perfection in the whole and to communicate with every other component. The solutions require no hardware, downloads or maintenance and are ready to use from day one. The solutions come in a subscription affordable monthly.
So why end-customers have to wait a couple of years before somebody else takes up this challenge? The answer is a resounding "probably it is not! ". Although Microsoft can make it appear as if the first to serve the compelling need (not really serve the need), was for the reason accurate pressure of competing products that Microsoft acquired the "hosting package" dive. Google offers many alternatives for a compelling Microsoft Exchange and Sharepoint with Google Apps, Google Pages, Gmail and everything else. But even Google products stars are piece, and has not yet really come to an end end integrated solution. On the other hand, does not have a web conferencing solution at all, that would be vital in a fully complete.
But there is another category of solution providers that may not be as big as Google and Microsoft, or get that kind of airtime frantic but in recent years offers convincing solutions for small and medium enterprises. Many of these solutions would be put to shame the biggies, and they are in intimate contact with the real needs of small and medium enterprises in the middle segment. To present my case, I will discuss the HyperOffice Web-based application. HyperOffice has been operating on the Stock Exchange and SharePoint Alternative "domain for years, and have built a solution to the bottom, based on experience. It would wrong to say that they have been doing for years what Microsoft is committed to making a moment ago, and did not even that.
Now, to evaluate HyperOffice on the basis of the parameters we set for a truly end to end solution.
Exchange Features
HyperOffice business includes e-mail, sharing, contact management, calendaring and shared management of tasks. It also includes integration Outlook and can be used to feed the Outlook accounts of their employees as if Exchange is running in the background, only that its not. Users can access their accounts on their desktops online using Outlook or using any browser Mac or PC and all information is automatically kept in sync. In addition, users also can access and synchronize their accounts from mobile devices like iPhone, Blackberry, etc.
Sharepoint Features
As one alternative to Sharepoint, HyperOffice editor includes a tool that can be used to create the dedicated intranet and extranet workspaces for employees, departments, business partners or customers. The editor allows deep customization work areas according to user requirements. Finely user can manage the appearance, design, pages, the interconnection of these workspaces. They can choose from a range of collaboration tools add to each area of work – management documents, calendars, address books, task lists, task management, forums, instant messaging, surveys etc.
HyperOffice also includes a rich online document management tool. Allows easy online storage and organization of all types of files and allows users to collaborate documents with features such as versioning, notifications, lock, etc. overwrite protection
Web Conferencing
Continuing with the rising costs of travel and increasing openness of firms to web conferencing as a means of communication, has recently introduced HyperOffice HyperMeeting its web conferencing tool. It is as strong as any web conferencing solution, with the ability to conference with up to 125 participants, distribution files, presentations, applications and desktop sharing, whiteboard, etc.
Integratedness
The best of such a solution HyperOffice is that all pieces fit perfectly on the set. This makes sense, because even in a business, all parties are forever interact, and so must be with a collaborative solution. Consider the following scenario – A web conferencing needs to be configured. Since it is a meeting, invite need to send them all participants. So an automatic invitation to participate tool. The tool of invitation will have to talk to address books to enable beneficiaries are selected right. Furthermore, to ensure that participants do not have schedules of shock, calendars should be compared. Before the meeting takes place some documents may need to be distributed to the participants, and has collaborated. So the document management tool would be involved. The conference may refer to an important milestone in a project. So project management tool would be involved. This is only one situation in which one can imagine different parts of the system having to interact with each other, there may be a myriad of other situations. The synergies to be had in the system are enormous.
In HyperOffice, different parts of the system come together just, logical and effective. No wonder he has been nominated for several awards in the "design" category. The solution allows users to create workspaces for people with tools such as email, personal library of documents, address books, calendars, task lists, links, reminders etc. in the areas of second-level work can be configured for groups appears to document management and collaboration, calendars sharing, shared address book, task groups, web conferencing, forums, polls, chat, etc. This is a great example of the union of messaging, collaboration and web conferencing features.
On the other hand, HyperOffice includes a myriad of other features that can only come after years of experience working with clients. It is the ability to integrate the solution with Outlook, mobile access for devices like the iPhone and Blackberry, and the ability to manage drag and drop documents and upload documents directly from your desktop.
Another major aspect from the point of view of management is the ability to handle everything from a central console. All aspects of collaboration are contained within HyperOffice and users do not have to look in different directions and learn a lot of software for different applications.
Tailored for SMBs
Big names like Microsoft and Google always eyes of the largest customers of the range of about 5000 seats for profit juicer be received from customers. So both products and services offered in about these products is formed with that segment in mind. Smaller companies like HyperOffice, however, have been developed specifically for the small segment medium-sized enterprises, and refined through years of experience. The onus is on the development of products ready for easy use with button push functionality.
HyperOffice only need a registry and can be configured almost instantly. It is an end user tool, as almost anyone can get into the system and publishing information or use tools. No technical expertise required to implement or use. On the other hand, also offer free training and services support to help businesses along the road. If a customer wants, it can easily scale up the solution, and choose only a subset of the tools offered based on their needs and comfort level, instead of the whole.
Conclusion
Thus, although Microsoft based solutions has opened to all, yet still appropriate for organizations that are quite large, if not large. Vendors may also sell packages for Microsoft to throw in the integration and management services, but then it will ask a premium price and low price tags will not be maintained. Frankly, neither even at its headquarters avatar, Microsoft tools are not yet suitable for small businesses because they never were performed in this segment, and the effect will always of trying to squeeze a big foot in a small shoe.
Clearly, the lesson for the growing businesses is that while Microsoft and other big names have come quite late on the small "for medium-sized enterprises" car, one has to cut through the hype, and look in all directions, the best solution. And more often than not, the most appropriate solutions will be those who come from other places.
About the Author
The author has 5 years experience working with web based technologies. His expertise lies especially in collaboration applications for the SMB segment.
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