November 26, 2005 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – Microsoft has announced plans to release a beta version of their online business productivity suite, Office Live for 2006. Hosted at their web site (http://www.microsoft.com/office/officelive/default.mspx), access to the site’s content will initially only be available to residents of the United States.
Office Live will represent a total office solution, providing online workspace for organizing and managing customer and business information using tools for managing time, tasks, projects, and company data that integrate with existing Microsoft Office programs.
The concept of having software online is a massive departure for Microsoft who has traditionally pre-packaged software on CDs for distribution with licensing agreements. The new Microsoft ‘on demand software’ model offers the potential for services to be rented on a monthly basis rather than acquired through direct purchase.
