Transcript

Monday March 3, 2008

Microsoft to Expand Online Business Services

Microsoft will expand its online business services to include organizations with less than 5,000 employees in an attempt to keep business customers from choosing competitors offering similar products and services. Today, Microsoft launched a limited beta trial of the services for smaller U.S based companies that can sign up for a trial run, which will include access to Microsoft’s Exchange corporate e-mail program, SharePoint collaboration software, and Office Live Meeting Software for audio and video conferencing over the Web. Microsoft will also begin to offer a free download of an application called Search Server 2008 Express that allows companies to search files and documents inside their network. The new services are managed through a single Web-based interface, designed to meet the needs of IT professionals. The services will be available in the second half of 2008 and signal a move by Microsoft to adapt to growing changes on the Internet, specifically companies shift toward using Hosted Web Services.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/infoworld/20080303/tc_infoworld/95701;_ylt=AtEeyv7F60qafQZEwpk4D4QjtBAF
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2008/mar08/03-02AllSizeBusinessesPR.mspx
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120451096788306801.html
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN0229064620080303
http://www.infoworld.com/article/08/03/02/Microsoft-adds-to-SharePoint-collaboration-capabilities_1.html
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/02/i-really-hope-microsoft-has-more-than-this/
http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2008/03/03/microsoft_hosted_exchange_sharepoint/
http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/01/microsoft-office-online-and-attacking-the-innovators-dilemma/
http://www.webmasterworld.com/msft/3589819.htm

Ask.com Rumor Says It Plans To Scrap Teoma Search

Despite rumors initiated by a blog report, Ask.com is reportedly not getting rid of its specialized search technology. The blog reported Friday that Ask was considering getting rid of its Teoma engine and using search from Google, with which it already has a five-year, $3.5 billion advertising deal. Over the past few months Ask has spent a great deal on advertising efforts highlighting its unique search experience against Google’s, with search share increasing as a possible result. Shares fell 7 percent on Friday amidst speculation surrounding Ask’s replacement of Teoma search for Google search, but also because Ask’s parent company ICA/Interactive is due to go to trail against shareholder Liberty Media next month.

http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2924799620080301
http://www.webmasterworld.com/ask_jeeves_teoma/3589033.htm
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/2/iac__ready_to_bail_on_ask_
http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9883574-7.html
http://mashable.com/2008/03/01/ask-teoma-rumor/

[edited by: Vanessa_Zamora at 6:53 pm (utc) on Mar. 3, 2008]