Twenty-five years after Microsoft Corp. launched Word 1 for Mac, the Macintosh Business Unit (MacBU) continues to improve connections for Mac users to core Microsoft Office systems and servers. Office for Mac users will soon have simplified and efficient collaboration through Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies and Microsoft Office Live Workspace with the Microsoft Document Collaboration Companion for Mac Beta. The MacBU is also delivering Entourage for Exchange Web Services (Entourage EWS) Beta — a more modern protocol that updates how Entourage e-mail client connects to Exchange Server for overall improved e-mail and calendaring support. These developments are a critical step in the MacBU’s long-term commitment to deliver Microsoft software and services across platforms.

“For 25 years Microsoft has delivered productivity software for the Mac. We started on the desktop and today the MacBU delivers new ways for Mac users to connect to Microsoft productivity on the Web,” said Eric Wilfrid, general manager of the MacBU. “Entourage EWS and the Document Collaboration Companion lets Mac Office users connect with counterparts on a PC. These releases are the first step for the MacBU in harnessing the power of software plus services on the Mac.”