Microsoft Web Based Applications
Microsoft already offers free software to many users. Developers have been benefiting from the availability of free software and database development tools like Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server Management Studio Express Edition for some time now.
In a recent interview in the Sydney Morning Herald, new Microsoft chief technical executive, Ray Ozzie, said that Microsoft may start offering free Web-based, advertising-supported software1.
Microsoft seems to be set to continue its trend of extremely smart, and perhaps unexpected, product orientated industry maneuvers. Acquiring large chunks of Apple, and offering Web Browser updates for free, are perhaps examples of just the kind of things that the market was not necessarily expecting from the software manufacturer at the time.
Free web based, ad-subsidised software – perhaps for small non-corporate users – would be another example of the industry giant’s flexibility. Although perhaps necessary because of what other software makers such as Google are doing1, there seems little doubt that such offerings will generate some significant interest.
How popular will such free Microsoft Web based software be? Perhaps it will depend on what is ultimately offered. In the SMH article, Ray Ozzie emphasizes the importance of not sacrificing functionality, and suggests a unique direction for Microsoft free Web based software offerings1. It will be interesting to watch and see how Microsoft differentiates from other manufacturers in this area.
References and Further Reading
1. A.P. “Microsoft Says Google’s Success a ‘wake up call’” SMH Sydney Morning Herald: TECH. March 1, 2007. Online. 6 March 2007.
