Blog & Company News

Jul 20, 2012

Microsoft Corporation Unveils a New Version of Office

It has been quite some time since a new version of Microsoft Office has arrived on the screen and Chief Executive Office Steve Ballmer has high hopes. "The new, modern Office will deliver unparalleled productivity and flexibility for both consumers and business customers," stated Ballmer. "It is a cloud service and will fully light-up when paired with Windows 8." Microsoft has worked on the new version of Office from the ground up. Designed to compete with Google to be used in day to day cloud computing this software will be able to be accessed and run from remote servers. Users will be able to store, share and publish content for other users to open and edit via a smartphone or home computer. The new Office will be responsive to touch screen as well as utilizing the typical keyboard and mouse. Additionally, it will offer Windows 8 applications such as the planner, Lync communications platform and note taking software OneNote. Microsoft claims that the new Office saves user documents by default to the SkyDrive cloud storage device and offers unique roaming features. Outside of the social features Microsoft stated that the recently acquired Yammer offers Sharepoint and Microsoft Dynamics integration. The new version of Office will allow for digital note-taking, reading and markup tools as well as new innovative meeting features. Storage on the cloud is critical to Office and its ability to span across multiple devices. Kirk Koenigsbaur, who runs Microsoft's Office division stated "Whether I'm at work, whether I am at home, whether I'm at school, it's all there for you." Office will be compatible with standard PCs, laptops, and the newly introduced Microsoft Surface tablet computer.  Utilities such as Excel spreadsheets, Outlook email and PowerPoint presentation software all remains at the center focus of the new software. Further Reading – In Nod to New Era, Microsoft Unveils Touch-Based Version of Office