Microsoft recently announced plans to provide a software-as-a-service offering not just to the large enterprises already eligible for such a service from Microsoft, but to companies of all sizes. Through the new Microsoft Online Services, businesses with less than 5,000 employees will be able to subscribe to Internet-based applications from Microsoft and its partners instead of buying hardware servers and software licenses.
Initially, the company will offer subscription-based applications around e-mail and its SharePoint teamware. Microsoft has already provided similar services for enterprises with more than 5,000 employees.
US-based customers can register to take part in a limited beta of the new service at www.mosbeta.com.
We have been an advocate of the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model for some time. It is particularly well suited to agencies because it allows them to use sophisticated software without the pain of having to manage software and hardware in-house.
There are a number of examples of other product offerings that utilize this model. Microsoft is trying to head off similar services from Google (Google Apps), Yahoo, and other firms like Dell.
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