Microsoft's services picture becoming clear

摘要

An image of Microsoft's future — delivering software-as-a-service to corporate customers — finally is starting to develop, although the company and observers agree there are many challenges ahead. That picture, while not ready to be hung on a wall, is being brought into focus by Microsoft's development of Windows Live consumer services; Office Live, which is targeted at small and midsize businesses (SMB); search technologies that meld locally stored and Internet-based data; and the recently introduced Dynamics CRM Live enterprise application service set to debut in 2007.