Microsoft announces free Office 365 for non-profits

• Programme available today in 41 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore
• With the cloud, non-profits get easier IT administration, savings,  improved collaboration and security

MICROSOFT Corp has announced the global availability of Office 365 for Nonprofits for qualifying non-profit and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) through its software donation programme.
 
The donation is available today in 41 countries around the world, including eight countries in the Asia Pacific region, namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan.
 
By July 2014, Office 365 for Nonprofits will be available in up to 90 countries, the company said in a statement.
 
“Today we are donating to non-profits and NGOs, access to Microsoft’s … cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools, enabling them to spend fewer resources and time on IT and focus on their missions addressing global issues, such as disease eradication, education and literacy, and environmental sustainability,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois (pic), president of Microsoft International.
 
“Non-profits operate in the same way as any other organisation or business – however, many lack the resources to implement the latest technology. The donation of Office 365 allows them to be more effective and efficient in the work they do,” he added.
 
In a study by Microsoft’s software donation partner TechSoup Global, non-profits reported that the top four advantages of cloud computing are easier IT administration (79%), cost-savings (62%), improved collaboration (61%), and data security (54%).
 
Given the increasing challenges facing nonprofits around the world, it’s more important than ever to make sure they can access the advantages of cloud computing and drive even more social change in the world, Microsoft said in its statement.
 
“From our experience as a pilot user of Office 365 for Nonprofits, the most immediate benefit of this cloud-based solution has been its ability to allow our staff and teams of volunteers to work and collaborate more seamlessly and efficiently from wherever they are, regardless of the devices that they use,” said Tanguy Lim, director of the Pro Bono Services Office, Law Society of Singapore.
 
“This has freed up a lot of our time, which can be more meaningfully spent on providing legal assistance to those in need within the community,” he added.
 
Office 365 for Nonprofits provides non-profits and NGOs access to Microsoft’s always up-to-date Office cloud service, tailored to their needs.
 
“Microsoft has a long-standing history of community support, providing non-profits with software donations and cash grants for the past 30 years,” said Clair Deevy (pic), Citizenship Lead, Asia Pacific, Microsoft.
 
“We partner with non-profits across Asia Pacific, helping them access the latest technology, whether they are focused on education, healthcare or disaster response, and to be offering cloud service donations at this scale will have a huge impact.
 
“Office 365 for Nonprofits is a new, critical investment Microsoft is making into the global non-profit community so that non-profits everywhere, including Asia, can spend less time worrying about IT and more time supporting their cause,” she added.
 
In fiscal year 2013 alone, Microsoft donated US$795 million in cash, software and services to 70,286 nonprofits in more than 115 countries around the world.
 
Non-profits and NGOs interested in implementing Microsoft Office 365 can check eligibility and order donations at www.microsoft.com/office365nonprofits. Migration information and resources can be found at http://fasttrack.office.com/.
 
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