Microsoft finally acknowledges the importance of Office Web apps by David Hutton 17th January 2014

Back in November of 2012, TechCrunch was one of the first to report that Microsoft was updating its subscription-based Office Suite with some 100 changes and additions, most notably the abilities for collaborative editing through the use of Microsoft Office Web Apps.  Collaborative edits can now take place in all Office products, including Word and PowerPoint, rather than just the OneNote and Excel options of the past.

So what does this mean to the average consumer? 

By combing these office apps with the SkyDrive Cloud, users can now easily access files and edit “on-the-fly”, even between multiple users and in real-time. And if Word, Excel or PowerPoint is being used individually, the software saves the changes automatically. No longer will business professionals and online entrepreneurs need to rush back to office laptops in order to make a quick change to a sometimes critically time-sensitive document revision. All of this can now be easily accomplished on any smartphone or tablet through the use and installation of the newly updated Microsoft Office Web Apps suite.

More changes are expected on the Microsoft horizon.

Consumers and techies can expect to see Microsoft begin to take these web apps much more seriously.  In the past, this industry leader was largely, and almost solely, focused on the individual, corporate desktop user. After all, this was where the money was being spent. But the secret is out that digital technology is overtaking the traditional laptop by leaps and bounds, and Microsoft expects to capitalize on this global change in mindset. TechCrunch expects these Microsoft Office Web Apps to be marketed much more aggressively in 2014, perhaps even being promoted as a standalone service altogether.

Is Microsoft becoming obsolete?

The Microsoft Office Suite package has been the industry leader in desktop document editing for decades, especially in corporate America, but some reports estimate that nearly 70% of all web searches now begin on a mobile handheld digital device. As consumers begin jumping from the larger desktop models to the more portable smartphones and tablets, the need for Microsoft Office Web Apps is becoming more critical in order for the company to keep their leverage.

The future is mobile.  And the future is now. 

Apple has the iWork Suite which comes pre-installed on every Mac and iPhone sold.  Google has been perfecting its QuickOffice software which will be seen on every Android phone from this day forward, again completely free of charge.  Microsoft has yet to develop a foothold in the mobile market, which leaves their Office Suite software at risk of becoming “old-fashioned”, a deadly phrase in the world of IT.

Microsoft is taking back control.

While buyers of Microsoft tablets and Windows phones are supplied with a free set of Microsoft Office Web Apps, some industry insiders fear that the company may already be too far behind to catch up. But this new marketing strategy may be just what Microsoft needs to regain their stronghold. Most consumers agree that the Microsoft Office Suite is by far a superior product over the Apple and Google alternatives.  Microsoft is also very savvy at controlling their file formats, leading to better saving abilities and display options. And everyone grew up with the Office Suite software, so learning the Microsoft Office Web Apps will be a breeze. This all works to their advantage.  Microsoft may be down, but they are not out.