Office Online Server is your on-premises solution for providing browser-based Microsoft Office applications. As the successor to Office Web Apps Server, this powerful online server enables users within your organization to view and edit Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote documents directly in their web browsers. This article serves as your central resource to understand, deploy, and manage Office Online Server effectively.
Understanding Office Online Server: Your On-Premises Office Suite in the Cloud
Office Online Server represents a significant step forward in delivering online productivity tools within your organization’s infrastructure. Unlike cloud-based services, Office Online Server is installed and managed on your own servers, providing you with greater control over your data and compliance. It essentially brings the core functionalities of Microsoft Office applications – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote – to web browsers, allowing for seamless document collaboration and accessibility without requiring users to install desktop applications.
Key Advantages of Implementing Office Online Server
Integrating an online server solution like Office Online Server into your IT infrastructure offers numerous benefits:
- Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitate real-time co-authoring and document sharing among team members, regardless of their location within the organization’s network.
- Broad Accessibility: Enable users to access and edit documents from virtually any device with a web browser, promoting flexibility and productivity on the go.
- Centralized Control and Security: Maintain sensitive data within your on-premises environment, adhering to your organization’s security policies and compliance requirements.
- Seamless Integration: Works harmoniously with other Microsoft server products such as SharePoint Server, Exchange Server, and Skype for Business Server, enhancing your existing ecosystem.
Essential Resources for Deploying and Managing Your Online Server
To guide you through the process of implementing and maintaining Office Online Server, we have compiled a list of key articles:
| Article | Description |
|---|---|
| Plan Office Online Server | Delve into the crucial planning considerations before setting up your Office Online Server farm, ensuring a smooth deployment. |
| Deploy Office Online Server | Learn the step-by-step process to deploy Office Online Server in both test and production environments effectively. |
| Configure Office Online Server for SharePoint Server 2016 | Discover how to seamlessly configure SharePoint Server to leverage Office Online Server for efficient document editing. |
| Apply software updates to Office Online Server | Understand the best practices for applying software updates to your Office Online Server farm, maintaining optimal performance and security. |
| Office Online Server release schedule | Stay informed about the release schedule for new Office Online Server builds, crucial support dates, and upgrade necessities. |
Office Online Server software can be readily downloaded through the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) for customers with eligible licenses. You can locate Office Online Server under the respective Office product pages, including Office Standard 2016, Office Professional Plus 2016, and Office 2016 for Mac Standard.
Compatibility Matrix: Office Online Server and Microsoft Ecosystem
Ensuring compatibility is vital for a successful integration. The table below outlines the compatibility between Office Web Apps Server and Office Online Server with various Microsoft server products:
| Product | Office Web Apps Server | Office Online Server |
|---|---|---|
| SharePoint Server 2013 | Yes | Yes* |
| SharePoint Server 2016 | No | Yes |
| SharePoint Server 2019 | No | Yes |
| SharePoint Server Subscription Edition | No | Yes |
| Lync Server 2013 | Yes | Yes |
| Skype for Business Server 2015 | Yes | Yes |
| Skype for Business Server 2019 | Yes | Yes |
| Exchange Server 2013 | No | No |
| Exchange Server 2016 | No | Yes |
| Exchange Server 2019 | No | Yes |
*Note: While compatible, SharePoint Server 2013 does not support the Excel Online external data connectivity and data refresh functionalities available in Office Online Server, which are supported from SharePoint Server 2016 onwards.
By leveraging Office Online Server, your organization can establish a robust online server infrastructure for enhanced document productivity and collaboration, all while maintaining control and security within your on-premises environment.
