Microsoft Office Live, along with the suite of products and services reunited under the Windows Live brand umbrella is designed as an in-the-cloud extension of the desktop 2007 Office System and the Windows platform. The offerings bundled under Office Live have evolved compared to the initial customizable web-based solutions delivered by Microsoft. While the company did debut with Office Live Basics, Office Live Premium and Office Live Essentials, the Office Live Product Catalog has grown to encompass additional services aimed at small businesses.

Now Microsoft is also offering Office Accounting Express 2007, Office Live Groove and Office Live Meeting. Accounting Express 2007 is a free service enabling you to "sell your products on eBay. From listing items and tracking orders on eBay, to accepting credit cards and receiving payments through PayPal, you can do it all with Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007."

In this context, Office Live Groove and Live Meeting are focused on providing online-based collaboration tools. "Microsoft Office Live Groove helps distributed teams work together from any location, even without an Internet connection," the company revealed. "Microsoft Office Live Meeting enables you to collaborate online with colleagues, customers, and partners in real time, between either individuals"

Although it was originally interpreted as an Internet version of the Office System, Office Live is addressed at small businesses in need of web-based infrastructure. Essentially, through Office Live Basics, Essentials and Premium, Microsoft is opening up the Internet to small businesses.

"Microsoft Office Live Basics is the easy way to get started on the Web. If you have always wanted your own Web site, Microsoft has just made it easier - much easier. Plus, it's FREE," the Redmond company added. "Microsoft Office Live Essentials is an easy way to create a professional Web presence, track sales leads, and stay in touch with your existing customers. Office Live Premium - get everything you need to stay in touch with customers, suppliers, and employees. Includes everything you get with Microsoft Office Live Basics and Microsoft Office Live Essentials and more."