Microsoft Online Services
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Microsoft Online Services was Microsoft's hosted-software offering and was an early component of its software as a service strategy.[1] Microsoft Online Services was hosted by Microsoft and sold with Microsoft partners.[2]
Initial services branded as 'Microsoft Online Services' included Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Office Communications Online, Microsoft Forefront, and Microsoft Office Live Meeting.[3]
For businesses, the software as a service approach enables organizations to access the capabilities of enterprise software through on-premises servers, as online services, or a combination of both, depending on specific business requirements. Services also provide the option to add complementary capabilities that enhance on-premises server software and simplify system management and maintenance.[3]
Around 2011, the products offered as 'Microsoft Online Services' were replaced by products within Office 365.