Microsoft Thinks Software Plus Service but Builds Software as a Service

There is a dichotomy between Microsoft's own business vision and the strategies that the Redmond is building. Although Microsoft revealed that it will play exclusively by the Software plus Services tune, it has announced a partnership with KDDI designed to focus on Software as a Service. For itself Microsoft has little choice in the manner. It is strictly dependent on its main cash cows, the Windows platform and the Office productivity suite. But this will not stop it from contributing to an environment that will catalyze the evolution of the SaaS application.

"KDDI Corporation and Microsoft Co., Ltd. today announced that they have reached an agreement to jointly develop and provide applications using a Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model for corporate users. The companies will also create an ecosystem to provide extensive support to independent software vendor (ISV) partners and spur the development of new service-enabled applications to drive momentum for new SaaS applications. The companies will embark on joint marketing activities to cultivate the adoption of SaaS among ISVs in Japan. They will also jointly educate the corporate market on the benefits of the SaaS model," revealed Microsoft in a press release.

Microsoft informed that both software distributors and corporate partners will be able to access a complex support program created to enable them to leverage SaaS solutions. According to the Redmond company, the support foundation will cover aspects such as collaboration, development and marketing of SaaS applications. And the Microsoft Connected Services Framework will be at the basis of SaaS services.

"The first SaaS application will be built on Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration, a carrier-grade platform that offers enterprise-class e-mail and document-sharing services to corporate customers. Subscription is a monthly fee-based model, covering mobile and fixed-line communications and the SaaS application. The service will create a seamless work environment by allowing corporate customers to access their data on a PC in the office or on a mobile phone when they are on the go. This initiative is a demonstration of a service-delivered solution that combines services, software and hardware to provide a seamless user experience," Microsoft added.