Some big news just dropped in my inbox, as Office Live has been renamed, to Office Live Small Business, and a new offering, Office Live Workspaces has just been announced.
First of all, nothing about what was up until now Office Live has changed except the name. Why the name change? According to the email:
Microsoft today laid out the next phase in its strategy for online services, offering a roadmap for new offerings from the company’s Business Division that synthesize client, server and services software.
These hybrid offerings will combine elements of client-based programs with software that runs large servers and new services delivered over the Web. Microsoft plans to deliver these services over the coming months under two key service offerings: Microsoft Live and Microsoft Online. These offerings will span from hosted services, by Microsoft or by a Microsoft partner, to on-premise offerings, delivering software the business customers want, however they want.
Oh boy another “Live” name from Microsoft to clear the air. But this actually makes some sense, as it pulls together the more large and medium business offerings with these new small office products, as well as products such as Small Business Accounting. To recap, Microsoft Online currently offers Microsoft Dynamics CRM Live, as well as:
- Microsoft Exchange Online
- Microsoft Office SharePoint Online
- Microsoft Office Communications Online
- Microsoft Office Live Meeting
- Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services
- Microsoft BizTalk Services
So what is Office Live Workspace? The beta, which is accepting applications now at www.officelive.com will begin soon, and expects to be a free service, although perhaps with some advertising.
View: Office Live Workspace
Source: Liveside
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