The Microsoft Online Services Sign In application is installed on your computer to provide a simple, single sign-in point for Microsoft Online Services. Up until now this has been a Windows only benefit of Microsoft Online Services.

But with little fanfare Microsoft continues to offer better and better support for Mac users and released the sign in application to Microsoft Online users worldwide. You can get it from the Microsoft Download Center.

The Sign-In Application provides a convenient way for users with computers using the Apple Macintosh operating system to access their e-mail and data on the Microsoft Online Services platform.

In theory it provides: -

• A single access point for services.
• Automatic configuration of applications.
• Password management
• Further Sign In options

Theres no evident support for Microsoft Document Connection, or for Microsoft Messenger integration with Office Communications Online although this will likely get better through frequent updates.

Instead of signing in to each service separately, you should be able to sign in to all your services at one time with the Sign In application, and then access your services any number of times during your sign-in session. Without the Sign In application, you would have to provide your user name and password each time you access a service. Each service that you can use is listed in the Sign In application so that you can click a service and access it. Your online services depend on the licenses that your company has assigned to you. Note: This doesn't currently work for me, I have to type my password endlessly. I was really hoping to have the same browser experience as on Windows.

The Sign In application automatically configures applications on your computer that can work with Microsoft Online Services. If you have more than one version of an application, only the latest version is configured. This auto-configuration helps you use those applications with your online services. This saves time and trouble for you, and reduces support time for your service administrator. If necessary, you can manually reconfigure your applications at any time from the Sign In application. Note: This only configures Entourage on my Mac. But it configured it correctly.

You can change your service password in the Sign In aplication. If your password expires, the Sign In application alerts you and offers the ways to update the password. Note: This is as yet untested.

You can set Preferences in the Sign In application to start the Sign In application automatically and sign you in each time you start your computer and also to alert you when a new version of the Sign In application or a new application configuration becomes available. Note: This is working well

There are also some advanced settings which seemed sensible to check.