SPOTLIGHT: Microsoft opens cloud computing beta


Desktop software giant Microsoft is battling back against Google and more traditional service providers who have been touting Web-based cloud computing strategies for Enterprise customers. The company opened up a public beta test of its Sharepoint collaboration solution and Exchange e-mail server solution as Web-based applications.

Some service providers have made similar moves. But while traditional enterprise vendors like Microsoft and Cisco Systems continue to juggle multiple direct and indirect channels into the Enterprise market that include service provider partnerships, it seems like the opportunity for conflicts only continues to increase.

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