Microsoft has a knack for being late to the game..
Over the last couple weeks, I have been developing the post-incident emergency response software that I presented yesterday at C-Cue. In my wanderings around the internet, I chanced upon Information Week as they announced Microsoft is posting sample code for Software as a Service applications.
The sample code is built in the .NET Framework 3.0 and works in the upcoming version of Visual Basic 2007.
You might remember me mentioning SaaS in the past, especially in regards to Microsoft, but it seems like they have finally gotten the hint.
MS actually has an application called “Titan” coming out pretty soon that will provide customer relationship management, much like Salesforce.com.
The interesting piece there is that it will come in three forms – a traditional executable file for your desktop, a hosted version, and an application going into Windows Live for Microsoft hosted CRM. I am not sure what the difference is in the last two, but that’s what seems to be going on.
Somehow, I can’t see Microsoft making it in the Software as a Service arena. I see them being very good in the traiditonal PC software realm, but when you want an online application wouldn’t you choose someone who has already mastered it?
I guess Microsoft thinks they still have a fighting chance. I tend to disagree because the market has already been identified, but maybe they know something that we don’t?!
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I wouldn't count them out just yet.