Microsoft Office to be open to hosting

Microsoft has announced that businesses will be able to host Office 2010 through their own hosting systems when it is launched.

According to the computing giant, the option will give firms more control over their use of the software and also allow them to run web-based applications on-premises.

InformationWeek reports that the software is also set to be available via Microsoft's new Office Web service, which means companies will be able to access an online version if they cannot run it with internal systems.

Chris Capossela, senior vice president for Microsoft's business unit, told the website that consumers "want the choice" of how to run their applications.

He added: "This is a really big distinction between Microsoft and our competition."

Microsoft Office 2010 is set to include programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as SharePoint WorkSpace, InfoPath and a mobile version of the software for smartphones.

Written by Chris Ball