Microsoft Shows New Online Services

New Internet based services, called Windows Live and Office Live, are designed to offer software-based services in an online environment.

Computer software giant Microsoft today previewed two new Internet-based software services geared towards bridging the gap of computes and online services. Windows Live is targeted towards individuals, while Office Live is designed for small businesses.

Windows Live, which is in beta right now, offers a series of services powered by technologies such as RSS, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX). These services, which include email, messaging, PC maintenance and Internet protection and bookmarks, extend the capabilities of Windows through standard mechanisms and are designed to bring together in one place those items a person is most likely to use their computer for.

Office Live, meanwhile, will offer a number of web-based services which are geared towards small businesses. These include Internet presence hosting, project management, sales and collateral management, customer management, expense reports, time and billing management, and secure internal and external collaboration.

“These new offerings demonstrate how software is evolving through the power of services in ways that enable more dynamic and relevant experiences for people,” Microsoft chairman Bill Gates said. “Our goal is to make Windows, Office and Xbox further come alive for our customers at work, home and play.”