Office 365's uniqueness is cloud computing. Utilizing the internet, users can gain access to their files and programs without worrying about servers and memory. Everything, from programs to files, can be stored and retrieved from the remote exchange server.

Microsoft executives demonstrated how users are able to access all of Office 365's individual programs, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and others, and link them together to different programs. Users can create or access their websites or hold a virtual meeting, linking photos and videos with information stored in the system.

Another feature is that the technology does not rely on the computer alone, but can be linked through the cell phone or other electronic devices.

Ballmer described the service as being highly affordable with several different subscription plans for new users. It will also help businesses cut cost and emissions as they are able to eliminate servers within their offices, he notes.

Ballmer says the new program allows companies to get back time and gain efficiency as they improve on collaboration through cloud computing.

The married co-owners of Bea's Insurance Inc. in East Palestine, Ohio, Kerri and Jeffrey Stewart say they are excited about the possibilities Office 365 offers their two-person operation.

As beta users of the new program, they were invited to Microsoft's event in New York to attend the unveiling and share their experiences with the media.

Jeffrey says Office 365 gives their agency the capability of now dealing with any customer relationship, from the traditional client who wants to sit in the office and pay their premium in cash, to the technology savvy customer who wants to do everything online.

To attend the event, the couple had to lock the door to their office since they are the staff.

With Office 365, Kerri says they will not have to lock the door as often anymore because they will have instant access to one another's schedule, giving them better opportunities to keep one person in the office while the other is on the road selling and servicing clients.

Jeffrey says Office 365 gives them the opportunity to do more one-on-one with clients, whether it is meeting them in the home or doing a virtual meeting.

“I see a lot of potential here,” says Kerri Stewart.

She says their agency is 85 percent personal lines and the rest small commercial, selling both property and casualty and life and health business. Like many agencies, they have relied on referral business over the year, and developed a client base from the business established by Kerri's mother.

Coming from the pharmaceutical industry, Jeffrey brought his knowledge of technology to the firm and turned it paperless by 2007.

Today, they power their office utilizing Office products and do not use an agency management system.

For their size agency, they say such a system is too expensive and they find they can accomplish what they need to do with Microsoft Office.

Kerri admits that it does take more time dealing with the individual carrier systems when producing quotes, “but we find savings in other ways.”

They say that now that Office 365 has been officially launched, they will begin to migrate more of their office functions to the exchange server. However, Jeffrey says some things will remain secured in their office, such as confidential customer information. But their Website, e-mail, declarations and material customers will want to obtain online will be moved to the exchange server.

Overall, when commenting on his six months as a beta user and his expectations for the future, Jeffrey says, “This has been a great opportunity to be a part of this.”