The document discusses how businesses today face challenges from changing workplace dynamics and new technologies. It notes that while IT complexity is increasing, many businesses still spend large portions of their budgets maintaining outdated systems. The cloud offers a way for businesses to gain more flexibility and a competitive edge by reducing IT costs and complexity. Microsoft Office 365 provides cloud-based versions of Microsoft's collaboration and communication tools like Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync to help businesses address issues around supporting remote workers, different generations, and mobility.

1. Meet Today’s Enterprise Business
Challenges with the Cloud
Today’s workplace changes every business day. The cubicle is out, telecommuting is in. Hallway collabora-
tion no longer suffices, international teleconferencing is mandatory. Cloud and online applications are
surging. And the 12.8 million young workers entering the marketplace in the next decade need a new
way to work1 — one that draws heavily on consumer products, social networking, and other rapid chang-
es in technology.
It’s no surprise to learn that IT infrastructure complexity is mounting. Yet many enterprises still
spend as much of their IT budgets maintaining inflexible, siloed systems.2 To move forward, busi-
nesses such as yours are looking at the promise of cloud-based IT services to give them a competi-
tive edge. A recent Gartner poll found that by 2012, 80 percent of Fortune 1000 enterprises will be
using some form of cloud or off-premise computing services. Twenty percent of businesses plan to
own zero IT assets.3
Microsoft recognizes the technology challenges faced by your business. We know that successful
businesses must find new ways to harness the expertise of their employees, maximize team relation-
ships, and use information to drive both profit growth and reduced costs. And we know that busi-
nesses are wrestling with such issues as:
• Consumerization of IT: The line between enterprise and consumer technology is blurring. How
can IT keep up with changing user preferences while maintaining governance?
• The Rise of the Cloud: The benefits of the cloud are compelling, but is public cloud, private cloud,
or hybrid cloud/on-premise the right answer for your business?
• Infrastructure Cost and Complexity: Keeping expenses down while reducing the environmental
impact of a datacenter is a tough challenge. How can an IT department reduce its environmental
footprint, while still keeping costs down and implementing advanced technology?
• Multi-Generational Workplace: Boomers, GenXers and Millennials have distinct workstyles when
it comes to technology. How can IT support their diverse modes of interaction?
1 US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2009. http://wherethejobsare.org/WTJA/analysis/usworkforce.shtml
2 “Focus Your I&O Budget On Three Key Initiatives,” Forrester Research, July 16, 2010 by Robert Whiteley
3 Gartner, Dec. 2009: http://my.gartner.com/resources/173400/173482/gartners_top_predictions_for_173482.pdf

2. • Diverse and Distributed Workforce: Today’s businesses often rely on far-flung virtual teams. How can
technology keep office workers, teleworkers, contingent staff, and partners on the same page?
• Mobile Computing: Mobile devices are bringing enterprise data to new roles and new industries.
How can IT support a seamless mobile experience?
Microsoft Office 365 helps you meet the challenge of today’s evolving workplace by combining
cloud-based versions of our most trusted communications and collaboration products with the lat-
est version of our businesses desktop suite.
Microsoft Office 365 can help you deliver robust security, outstanding reliability, and improved user
productivity. Office 365 brings together online versions of trusted communication and collabora-
tion solutions, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and Lync Online as well as Microsoft
Office Professional Plus and Microsoft Office Web Apps. With these solutions, your business moves
forward, from virtually anywhere and virtually any device.
With Office 365, there’s no need to worry about costly server deployment or time-consuming
server maintenance tasks. Because it’s designed to work with the Office applications your people
already know, Microsoft Office gives workers the best productivity experience across the PC, phone,
and browser—without heavily investing in retraining.
Make the Leap to the next Generation of Computing
Microsoft offers Office 365 subscription plans designed for a variety of needs. Learn which plan is
right for your organization here: http://office365.microsoft.com
Learn about flexible on-premise and cloud enterprise deployment options with Microsoft’s Produc-
tivity Platform Solutions. Visit http://microsoft.com/productivity
© 2010 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.
Microsoft, Microsoft Office, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange, and Microsoft Lync are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.