CloudOn raises $16M to unleash the power of MS Office on tablets

Clearly I’m not the only one excited by CloudOn and its goal of making tablets more productive with software like Microsoft Office. The company announced today that it has raised $16 million in a second round of funding led by The Social+Capital Partnership.

[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":478213,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"business,entrepreneur,mobile,","session":"C"}']

CloudOn offers apps for the iPad and Android tablets that give you access to fully-featured versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint, as well as Adobe Reader. The apps connect to cloud storage services like DropBox and Box, allowing you to easily save and access your existing files, and forgoing the need to deal with the iPad and Android’s confusing file systems.

Not surprisingly, CloudOn says it will use the funding to scale its operations — which could mean more productivity apps making their way to the service. The company is also working on expanding group productivity features within its apps, and it’s also working on bringing its software to smartphones and PCs.

With its ability to run complex software remotely, and its integration with cloud storage, CloudOn is essentially attempting to create a virtual desktop computer. In many ways, it’s preferable to a traditional computer, since you don’t have to worry about managing files or installing software.

Palo Alto, Calif.-based CloudOn is also adding Mamoon Hamid, general partner at Social+Capital, to its board of directors. This latest round of funding also saw participation from Translink Capital and existing investors Foundation Capital and Rembrandt Venture Partners.

Design is determining the winners in everything mobile. The most successful players are focusing on one thing: How to make products, services, and devices as compelling and delightful as possible – visually, and experientially. MobileBeat 2012, July 10-11 in San Francisco , is assembling the most elite minds to debate how UI/UX is transforming every aspect of the mobile economy, and where the opportunities lie. Register here.