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Microsoft Online - First Impressions of Business Productivity Online Suite
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- Category: Windows
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- Written by angusf
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First thoughts, after a month using BPOS
Microsoft BPOS Single Sign in
Microsoft Online Services comes with a special application to keep you signed in and correctly configured.
The application is utilitarian, and clearly doesnt come from the Office 2007 user experience department sporting as it does a tired looking Windows XP tabbed user interface. That being said it does work well. It configures Outlook, Internet Explorer, Office Communicator et al for use with Microsoft Online. Its worked on all the computers I have tried, the emailed instructions providing an easy boot strap for users to follow. Even users with highly complex Outlook Profiles have been able to get it working as it safely creates a multiple profile environment. It would be nice if it created a merged one.
The disclosure down arrow in 'Email and Calendaring' gives access to Outlook Web Access. If you dont have Outlook installed, Email and Calerndaring launches Outlook Web access and the disclosure down arrow is not displayed.
Pre-Requisites
Note: The SSO Application requires .NET and all its Service Packs to be installed. This can take a *long* time.
There are a few settings for logging but this is primarily a useful launcher for each of the BPOS programs, while ensuring that the logged in user doesnt change. This is important for all the services and addresses some serious shortcomings in Windows with regard to switching user in SharePoint, Outlook, and Web Folders and resulting inconsistent treatment of 'who am i' - quite important Im sure you'll agree.
One more shortcoming about the user interface, its not customisable in any way, nor is it possible to change the order or add a third party application to BPOS authentication and Single Sign on. (one of my clients would like to do that for a proprietary application).
FAQ
What is Microsoft Online?
Microsoft Online is the premium brand for hosted managed services provided by Microsoft globally in conjunction with local partners.
What is Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS)?
BPOS provides enterprise-class software delivered as a subscription service, hosted by Microsoft and sold by partners.
BPOS consists of Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office Live Meeting andMicrosoft Office Communications Online.
Domain Naming and Microsoft Online
You can point a domain from almost any domain registration service to Microsoft Onlines domain servers, and once verified, the domain is live and email and dns lookups are recieved by Microsoft Online.
Getting a Windows Live ID
Administration of Microsoft Online
Microsoft Online Customer Portal
Microsoft Online Service Provisioning
Microsoft Online Service Activation
Microsoft Online Administration