Microsoft releases Project Siena Beta 2, allows business users to connect apps to powerful web services

2 min. read

Published on March 25, 2014

published on March 25, 2014

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About three months ago, Microsoft unveiled Project Siena Beta, a Windows Store app that allowed non-developers to create business-oriented apps. Microsoft has rolled out Beta 2 of the app, after receiving a positive response from enterprise business users, partners, and general app creators.

“Today, we are taking the next big stride for Project Siena with the release of Beta 2. This major update changes the kind of impact that apps built with Siena can have within a business. Project Siena now enables business users to connect apps to powerful web services – from popular consumer services to enterprise SaaS to services created by IT,” Microsoft’s S. Somasegar stated in an official blog post.

“Microsoft Project Siena (code name) is a new technology for business experts and other app imagineers. Now, without any programming, you can create apps that harness the power of corporate data and content, and web services,” the app description reads. Here are the key features of the app:

Conceptualize, validate and build your app ideas as easily as editing a document
Connect to corporate data and web services
Compose rich interactive visuals and media to create custom, unique apps
Add business logic and intelligence using the power of Excel-like expressions
Use the app yourself, share with colleagues or with the world

Project Siena allows business users to compose multiple services with ease – making it as easy as linking two Excel functions. For example, an app might look up product information from an enterprise catalog and then translate the description to Japanese. The Bing Translate service can also be utilized to speak out loud.

Microsoft is also releasing video walk-throughs along with sample apps so business users can get started on their app. With Beta 2, business users can now focus on social connections and instant communications, text to speech, translation, voice recognition, and integration to SaaS and other back-end workflows with their Project Siena app.

Hit the download link below to snag the app. It’s free!

Project Siena Beta 2

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.