Microsoft expands online business software services - AFP- BuildingWebsiteNews

Microsoft's packaged software has long been the foundation of the US firm's product line but is threatened by a "software as a service" (SaaS) trend being capitalized on by Google, Oracle and SalesForce. The Microsoft Online Services suite announcement made by chairman Bill Gates was touted as a "significant step" toward expanding the company's "software plus services" strategy. Businesses of all sizes will be able to subscribe to use software online or combine SaaS with Microsoft programs installed on their computers, Gates said. New online services being tested include Exchange Server and Office SharePoint Server software handling tasks such as email, schedule calendars and online conferencing. read more

[Tags]software, online, saas, microsoft, internet, programs, buildingwebsitenews[/Tags]