What is Microsoft's answer to Google Apps?

I have been using Google Apps Standard for almost a year now, and have been relatively happy with it. I started using it because I wanted
- to easily administer several email accounts on my own domain,
- to access said email accounts via web or a desktop client,
- to manage contact lists and calendars tied to the email accounts via both web browser and a desktop client (2-way sync)
- to have automatic SMS alerts for items on my calendar

and not to have to pay for these services.

Google Apps has been otherwise great, but falls absolutely short in the Outlook integration department. Their pricey Premier version of Apps supposedly offers Outlook synchronization for their calendar, but the free one doesn't. There are ways to get a one-way sync with the Standard version of Apps, but that doesn't cut it.

While accessing email and calendars with a web browser is quite handy on the random occasion or while on vacation, I really don't like it as a daily solution. There's still a place in my heart for a proper desktop solution, such as Outlook.

I have come across some blogs mentioning Windows Live Custom Domains, or Office Live or something to that effect. But searching for comparisons, I am left a bit confused. Most articles I've seen date back a good 3 or 4 years. If Microsoft can match Google Apps' services, I might be willing to move, but I can't seem to find a decent comparison. I want to know what I'm getting into beforehand.

Anyone here have any experience regarding these services, and how they differ from one another?

Google Apps does SMS alerts? Now that would be handy...

There's a little comparison of the Office web apps on this page:
http://www.winsupersite.com/office/o2010_owa.asp

These links also provide a bit of a wider comparison:

http://features.techworld.com/applic...usiness-brawl/

http://www.informationweek.com/news/...leID=193003850

I've not tried Office Live much, but I do use Google Docs on occasion if working on something collaborative.

Yes, Google Apps' Calendar can be set to automatically send SMS alerts for any scheduled events. It's very handy...

I've been using Live Mail & Calendar with Outlook for a week now. The only reason I wanted to switch was because I don't like using a web interface for email, I much prefer something like Outlook or Thunderbird; unfortunately Google is dragging its feet providing a proper two-way sync for its calendar, and its sync abilities with Outlook had a lot to be desired.

So I bit the bullet and moved to Windows Live Custom Domains. I have been very, very happy with it so far. Outlook synchronizes perfectly with both my Live Mail account and the Live Calendar. SMS alerts are supported here, too, so I'm not missing Google much.

I stay away from any application that has Google's name attached to it!

Just don't like their approach to things. That's my humble opinion.

I'll second that opinion. Anything with Google's name on it hits the trash can. Bing and Windows Live are just as good, if not better. I've been using Windows Live services for nearly a year now, with no complaints.

Sometimes reading this forum is like watching Fox News.

oh, I get it, people here really, really like Microsoft, and never say anything bad about it? I know very little about PCs, so I can't comment much, but I think in the world usually people love Apple or Google, but HATE Microsoft. I personally don't like Mac's, but this comment about the Fox news made me laugh... especially since it follows the entry from the guy who looks and sounds like a such a cliché of a nerd... (no disrespect)

Hum...

I don't think this forum is a microsoft only forum...
I have to say, I prefer search results and the result page more than the Bing one, but I love the Bing homepage. Google Maps is way better than that thing Microsoft made to compete with Google Maps. Same goes with image search.

Basicly, I find that google products are much more accurate and powerful than the ones Microsoft made to compete against, but doesn't stand a chance against the Bing UI.

Though, I still like the fact that I can make documents anywhere with a internet connected computer. These new Windows Live features sound interesting...

Glad to hear you trying to be objective...

You wouldn't happen to be speaking of me, would you? What have I done to you to draw such a remark? I'm a regular on this forum, and do my best to help fellow members. Sometimes my answer isn't perfect, or it may not be what you want to hear. No one on this forum is perfect, if they were, they would be employed by Microsoft or another high profile/high paying position. Everyone has their own opinion, and that's by design. If I've done anything to you, PM me and let me know, otherwise, keep those type of remarks to yourself.
Thanks,
Cat