Redmond reported Tuesday that their Mac Business Unit (MacBU) is running strong after 25 years. Eric Wilfred (GM of the MacBU) says:

“We started on the desktop and today the MacBU delivers new ways for Mac users to connect to Microsoft productivity on the Web.”

Microsoft and Apple actually collaborating on something? Yes. And for 25 years to boot.

Collaboration from these giants is exactly what business users need. And Microsoft’s movement toward web integration in its Mac software offerings is — to say the least — welcome and on a timely track.

In the same PressPass announcement, Microsoft say they expect to launch betas of Entourage Exchange Web Services (EWS) and Document Collaboration Companion over the next 60 days with final release of both products later this year. This comes on the heals of their Office 2008 launch [last year] that bundled sophisticated apps like Entourage 2008, Word 2008, Excel 2008, PowerPoint 2008 and Messenger for Mac 7.0.

With not much impact on larger Microsoft-driven enterprises, WinMac products do fit the niche for standalone app requirements — mainly benefiting those SMEs with small Mac footprints on their networks. The MacBU also continues to develop the invaluable [Citrix-killing] Remote Desktop Client (RDP) for the Mac — allowing Mac users full access and functionality to native Win apps presented through a Windows platform.

With more than 25 years in the business — and over 230 Mac experts on board — we can only expect more good things form this Apple/Microsoft alliance.

Hop on over and check out some cool Mac Mojo at the MacBU team blog.