University System Of Ohio, Microsoft establish Education Alliance agreement focused on cloud computing approach

COLUMBUS – Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut today announced at the University System of Ohio Efficiency Council meeting, an agreement between the University System of Ohio's technology infrastructure and operations arm, OARnet, and Microsoft Corporation that will leverage the system's group purchasing power to bring additional messaging solutions to Ohio's higher education and K-12 communities.

The Education Alliance Agreement is a move towards a cloud-based approach to messaging, including purchases of Microsoft's Exchange Online, an e-mail, calendar, contact and task service; the Live@edu collaboration and communications service; Office Web Apps, a lightweight version of the company's Office applications; and Microsoft Consulting Services and Microsoft Premier Support Services through a statewide master services agreement.