Bell Canada and Microsoft Team Up for Integrated Services

Bell Canada (www.bell.ca) and Microsoft Canada Co. announced a strategic initiative whereby Bell will combine telecommunication services and Microsoft software-based solutions to bring Canadian small and mid-size businesses unparalleled services at affordable prices.

"We are very pleased to build on our existing commercial agreement with Microsoft," said Karen Sheriff, President, Small and Medium Business, Bell Canada.

Bell intends to collaborate with Microsoft to develop new integrated services that will allow small and mid-sized business customers to increase their productivity and have access to reliable and secure solutions.

In order to facilitate the installation of the new offering, Bell plans to develop a "Wizard-type" application through which customers will be able to easily self-activate their suite of services with a click of the mouse and enjoy the simplicity of monthly billed services.

In addition, Bell and Microsoft plan to create a joint incubation lab for the development of additional integrated services, as well as joint education customer programs that support these services.

"Staying competitive, improving productivity and reducing costs are 'top of mind' challenges for small and mid-size businesses in Canada. With far less IT resources available in-house than large enterprises, SMBs have to rely heavily on IT partners to provide trusted advice as well as the systems and services to increase their competitive potential," said Michelle Warren, IT Industry Analyst, Evans Research.

As a first step in this initiative, Bell will offer its small and mid-size business customers a Productivity Suite, including licensed editions of Microsoft Office software or Microsoft Office Live Meeting service, along with Bell's market-leading business telecom services such as DSL Internet connectivity, Productivity Pak, Business Back Up and Desktop PC Care.

Bell Canada, Canada's national leader in communications, provides connectivity to residential and business customers through wired and wireless voice and data communications, local and long distance phone services, high speed and wireless Internet access, IP-broadband services, e-business solutions and satellite television services.