Office 365

1. Discuss how it relates to one of the Montage spaces.
Microsoft Office 365 relates to all of the Montage spaces. Office 365 is starting to move up the ranks as a top cloud solution. With the release of Windows 8 operating system, Office 2013, and the Windows 8 phone, Office 365 has received a large boost. For the purposes of this question, I have chosen Private Space. The normal office software allowed an individual to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and take notes that would reside on an individual machine. Now with Office 365, a user can save his/her information in the cloud, where it is always backed up and available on any device with an Internet connection. Windows 8, Office 2010 & 2013, and the Windows 8 phone sync with Office 365. I can create on one device and read it from another. Office 365also offers the user a large amount of storage space. This private space affords users a virtual area to analysis, comprehend, create, imagine, and much more. Additionally, the private space provides the tools that most enterprise corporations and public generally use, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote.

2. Describe the characteristics that define its behavior and architectural style.
The fluidity of Office 365 allows customers to build a private, public or hybrid cloud to meet their needs. Microsoft can carve a section of Office 365 specifically for the company to make it a private cloud, which would leverage the companies own servers like exchange. Another option affords the company to launch their initiative as a public cloud. The final option allows companies to create a hybrid cloud. For instance, the company would leverage their exchange servers, but use the cloudOffice web apps.

Additional fluidity offers Office 365customers to use the service as a PaaS, SaaS, or IaaS. The customer can also combine the services. Companies no longer need to purchase Office software and continuously upgrade with Office 365. Users only need a browser to access Office. Additionally, companies can leverage Office365’s scalability, allowing them to cut cost on infrastructure. Finally, since Office 365 is web based, it will run on any operating system. Thus it also acts like a platform with its integrated SharePoint, web apps, and storage space.




3. Is today's implementation of this service the same as its original design and intent or has it evolved as users have found new ways to use it?
Since it’s only a few years old, Office 365for the most part has not evolved too much. It is currently being used as the designers saw it. However, there has been slight alterations to assist with collaboration efforts.

4. How has it evolved? Why has it changed? If it has not changed, why not?
Initially, Office 365 was a standalone cloud solution. With the release of Microsoft’s new product, Office 365 integrates with the new operating system, Office suite, and phone. This integration affords the users more flexibility, usability, and ownership. The operating system and Office integration provides a more robust solution to create and the Office 365 integration offers the storage in the cloud. With the phone, users can access their Office 365 content at any time.

5. How may it change to support the future? Make a prediction and discuss why it will happen.
Office 365 will continue to grow now with the release of Windows 8. The accessibility of Office 365 allows Microsoft to compete better with Apple. Phones, tablets, and pc’s can now sync their information and give instant access. Additionally, Microsoft has another front to compete with Google’s Documents (now Drive).

Office 365 will continue to improve in the areas of collaboration. Files can now be shared, hosted, and worked on together. The office 365 SharePoint is just a stepping stone to the future. I foresee a large expansion and connectedness with Office 365. Leveraging the idea of collaboration, I wouldn’t rule out Microsoft trying to increase its social media footprint too.