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In a much anticipated keynote, Microsoft announced the launch of Office 365, an integrated web based communication and collaboration solution. Office 365 is more a re-branding exercise, than being a new technology. Experts expected Microsoft to announce the addition of Office Web Apps, its web based office productivity solution, to Microsoft BPOS, its cloud solution which integrates Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Lync Online. That was almost exactly what Microsoft did, except that it also added Office Pro Plus, a not very well known desktop product, and offering flavors of Office 365. However, the force with which Microsoft endorsed the cloud during the keynote, is great news for cloud messaging and collaboration as a whole. The enterprise market gets the message that cloud based solutions are dependable and secure, and a serious option to consider. This benefits cloud vendors as a whole, as more and more enterprises hop on to the cloud bandwagon. Although smaller MS SharePoint and Exchange alternatives, have a very prominent new competitor to contend with, but they still have the possibility of surviving and thriving, because the market has endless niches which big players cannot serve, as they're more interested in the juicy enterprise market.
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