Copyright 2012
News Generation, Inc.

~ Office 365: Ready for Work Contest Opens with $365,000 in Prizes for Small Businesses ~

April 2011

(Redmond, WA) -- Office 365, Microsoft's new cloud service for businesses of all sizes who want to increase productivity and collaboration without the big price tag is available globally today for beta download. Office 365 was introduced in limited test markets last year and brings together industry leading productivity tools including Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, and Lync Online in an always up-to-date cloud service.

Since its initial introduction, more than 100,000 organizations, from independent professionals to large enterprises, have signed up to test the service. Small businesses in particular have shown tremendous interest in Office 365. More than 70% of people signing up for the limited beta were small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. While these businesses may be small, their aspirations are large, and big time technology like Office 365 helps them achieve their goals.

To celebrate the public beta, Microsoft is kicking off the Office 365: Ready for Work contest. Small businesses can enter to win Office 365 for a year, a $50,000 marketing package and a day's work from a Microsoft executive at the winner's business or charity of choice. To enter the contest, small businesses should visit Microsoft's Office 365 Facebook page and share their inspiring story. Five winners will be determined through community voting, and announced in September 2011.

Office 365 puts familiar and trusted tools in the hands of employees no matter where they are, on a range of devices. The service offers a few options based on the size and type of the organization:

• Professionals and small businesses can be up and running with Office Web Apps, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Lync Online and an external website in just 15 minutes.

• Midsize and large businesses, including government organizations, can get basic email for as little as $2 per user, per month.

• Enterprises have the option to get Microsoft Office Professional Plus desktop software on a pay-as-you-go basis. Office Professional Plus, email, voicemail, enterprise social networking, instant messaging, Web portals, extranets, voice conferencing and video conferencing, web conferencing, 24/7 phone support, on-premises licenses and more are available.

Additionally, the Office 365 Marketplace, now live, gives customers a simple way to find apps and services to extend and customize Office 365. Customers can sign up for the Office 365 public beta and learn more at www.office365.com. For small businesses wishing to enter the contest, please visit the Office 365 page on Facebook.

###