BT and Microsoft offer cloud services to enterprises

Business men

BT today announced that it will provide Microsoft Online Services to business customers via its multi-protocol layer switching networks.

The deal, which will see well-known Microsoft products being integrated into BT's 21CN global, software-driven network, will allow customers to use the software giant's cloud computing services and reduce operating and infrastructure costs.

Products involved with this service include Microsoft Exchange Online, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Office Communications Online and Microsoft Office Live Meeting.

"This agreement enables BT and Microsoft to provide large organisations with fully integrated cloud-based business collaboration tools...," said Neil Sutton, vice president of the Global Portfolio for BT Global Services, in a statement.

"The services will also allow customers to build on existing legacy systems, while integrating voice and data applications."

BT has said it will fully integrate its Global Onevoice service within a year allowing the two companies to provide both voice and IT services to large businesses.

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Jennifer Scott

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.