In rolling out Office 365, the online version of its Microsoft Office suite, Microsoft is looking to catch up to Google in the race to move business software to the cloud.

Microsoft Corp., the 800-pound gorilla of the software world, is hoping it can lift itself into the cloud.

In rolling out Office 365, the online version of its ubiquitous Microsoft Office suite, the Redmond, Wash., technology giant is looking to catch up to rival Google Inc. in the race to move business software residing on local computers to remote data centers accessible from anywhere.

Cloud proponents say companies can cut costs by getting rid of their own servers — which are expensive and require frequent maintenance and security updates — and allowing technology firms like Microsoft and Google to handle the hard work of supplying businesses' computing needs.

source : Los Angeles Times