Word and Excel will have online versions available online

It is expected that early next year, Microsoft will put most of the Office application packages online, including Word and Excel.

Web hosting applications of this type are called SaaS (service-oriented software), allowing users to use the program at a cheaper price. Because the application is hosted on the Web, users can use it directly without downloading it to the computer.

According to Microsoft vice president of business, Stephen Elop, 50% of Exchange and Sharepoint usage will come from the Web within 5 years. ' In the period of 5 years from now on in the context of the economy facing many difficulties, we hope that the direction will be promoted, and users will benefit from this '.

Microsoft's new move is to compete directly with Google's Web-based services such as Google Docs, Google Calendar, Gmail, and instant messaging.

Microsoft did not specify when it will be available on the service network, but revealed that it will be deployed early next year.