According to Comcast, its SMB customers will be the first to receive the Microsoft Communication Services, an internet-based product that does not require additional server capacity. Comcast claims that the service enables SMB teams to share documents and access calendars, track tasks, and use e-mail based on Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Office Outlook 2007 and Microsoft Windows SharePoint Services 3.0.
The product has been launched in conjunction with Comcast’s introduction of broadband, phone and video services for small businesses in the US, and is available for free with the broadband service.
Now, as part of their Comcast high-speed Internet service, they can quickly schedule meetings, share a common address book, or easily share or review important documents, which benefits the entire business, said Bill Stemper, president at Comcast Business Services.
Comcast is the largest cable operator in the US with more than 24 million subscribers in its core residential cable business. The company says that with the launch of its broadband services for SMBs, it plans to target approximately five million small businesses, or those less than 20 employees, which operate inside its franchise areas. These represent an untapped $12 billion to $15 billion market according to Mr Stemper.
The cost for the standard internet service package by the company is $102.98 per month. This includes four e-mail boxes with the standard service and two additional e-mail boxes, at $3.99 each per month.
Source: ComputerWire daily updates
