o2 to offer microsoft cloud services through new ... - O2 Ireland

O2 TO OFFER MICROSOFT CLOUD SERVICES THROUGH
NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP
The Ability to Access Cloud Computing Services on Any Device will Deliver
Further Efficiencies and Flexibility to Irish Businesses
DUBLIN, 30th May 2011 – Microsoft and O2 today announced that O2 will offer Microsoft
cloud services as part of a new partnership between the two companies in Ireland. The first
service that will be made available to O2 business customers is Office 365, Microsoft’s
cloud productivity solution.
Businesses will be able to avail of online services including Microsoft Office, email and
unified communications on a subscription basis from O2. The solution uniquely removes
upfront costs of purchasing software, instead offering customers access to the service on a
subscription basis through a single bill from O2. Customers will benefit from a packaged
offering from O2, where the core services such as mobile voice, mobile broadband and fixed
line will be offered with Office 365.
The Office 365 service from O2 is already available to a small number of customers
participating in beta trials, with plans to offer a full service to business customers later this
year.
Martin Cullen, Director of Microsoft Small and Medium Businesses said, “A key benefit of
Cloud Computing to business is that technology ceases to be a capital expense and instead
becomes an operating cost allowing companies to pay only for what they use, reducing
overall costs. Today’s announcement makes that an everyday reality for business
customers who can now access Office 365 on a subscription basis with a single point of
contact in O2. We look forward to working with O2 to bring more of our cloud services to
the market.”
Alan Brown, Director of Business, Telefónica Ireland, which operates the O2 brand, said,
“We’re delighted to partner with Microsoft in offering Office 365 in Ireland giving O2’s
business customers access to the new world of Cloud Computing. O2 continues to pursue a
strategy of bringing all of our customers the very best innovations and experiences in
communications. We believe the Cloud will deliver significant cost benefits to our business
customers, which is a key consideration for all businesses seeking to manage costs in the
current economic climate.”
Office 365 combines the familiar Office desktop suite with cloud-based versions of
Microsoft’s next-generation communications and collaboration services: Exchange Online,
SharePoint Online and Lync Online.

ENDS
Further details on the availability of Office 365 through O2, including subscription details,
will be announced at a later date.