Verizon announced the availability of WebOffice to its small- and medium-sized business (SMB) customers.

 

WebOffice is a Web-based tool that allows businesses to collaborate with their employees and customers online. It is now available as a standalone product, or it can be added to Verizon (News - Alert) Flex Business for Internet (VFBI) at a discounted price. The discounted package is offered to businesses that have either High Speed Internet or fiber optic service (FiOS (News - Alert)) Internet connection bundled with Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess wireless service.

 

WebOffice enables collaboration with peers, clients and vendors in a secure virtual intranet environment -- meeting online to integrate their work, develop ideas, set goals, and manage projects and business operations -- all in real time.

 

WebOffice is offered as a hosted service. Hence users do not have to install any additional hardware of software. There is no need for an in-house IT support. Any user who has a PC or Mac with an Internet connection can use the service.

 

WebOffice works in conjunction with Verizon’s High Speed Internet, FiOS Internet service, or Verizon Wireless Broadband Access. Some of the common applications of this service include sharing documents, coordinating calendars and schedules, managing expense reports, hosting Web meetings, and making announcements.

 

According to Monte Beck, vice president for business marketing at Verizon, WebOffice allows businesses to meet, access databases and manage files without any additional hardware or software.

 

"It complements Verizon's Flex Business for Internet and helps businesses keep connected in the office and on the road 24 x 7," Beck said.

 

Matt Davis, research analyst for IDC (News - Alert), said, "The combination of WebOffice and Verizon's fixed and mobile broadband services offers significant operational advantages and measurable cost-saving benefits to small business. In challenging economic times like these, services that enable a business to boost productivity and operating efficiency with minimum capital investment and maintenance expense are highly desirable."

 

Verizon also announced the availability of a new toolbox that helps small businesses increase productivity and save on costs. The new tool, Wireless Business Connection, matches small businesses with the right Verizon product for their needs and makes it easy to access the toolbox while on the go.