Content and collaboration firm Alfresco is launching its cloud service, stepping up to a SaaS version of its document management offerings.

Describing the new service as “scalable, transactional document management and collaboration,” Alfresco’s cloud service is a SaaS version that extends the company’s document management capabilities across the firewall. “Alfresco in the cloud” permits customers to use mobile devices without a VPN to access content, and also can be used as an online file-sharing and collaboration app. In conjunction with Alfresco Enterprise, Alfresco cloud service can be implemented on-premise in a hybrid cloud model.

“The workplace is being transformed by the increasing demand for tablets, which is challenging IT departments as users bring in personal cloud file sharing services to access their content,” said John Powell, CEO of Alfresco, in a prepared statement. “Alfresco in the cloud provides a safe, IT-friendly option that enables tablets and smartphones while at the same time keeps the company in control. Alfresco is the only platform where users can start using it today in the cloud or IT departments can deploy it fully behind the firewall. Cloud, on-premise or hybrid — now companies finally have a choice.”

Customers can sign-up with a company e-mail address and get 10GB of free storage.

Alfresco has released new cloud features along with its new service:

Our readers can click here for an overview on the Alfresco partner program.